CUBANITE SPECIMENS

Cubanite is a copper iron sulfide mineral similar to chalcopyrite, though much rarer. It forms from chalcopyrite by losing copper relative to sulfur and iron. It can take many different growth forms, from cubes to twinned crystals and thin, needle-like rods. It is named for its type locality, the Moa-Baracoa district in Cuba. It is also sometimes called barracanite.

Cubanite has even been detected in meteorites! Since it forms in hydrothermal mineral deposits, its presence in chondrites could indicate geothermal activity in their parent bodies.