Project

1. Introduction to minerals
By the SUNY Cortland Geology club

2. Bornite - Cu5FeS4
• Purple + blue
peacock or oil spill
colors.

3. Gold - Au
• Characterized by
gold flakes and
masses. Very fine.

4. Orpiment - As2S3
Mostly yellowish, rust
like. Can rub off on
your hand. Very soft.

5. Realgar - As4S4
Mostly reddish. Rust
like. Usually appears
with Orpiment.

6. Pyrite – FeS2
• Yellow-Gold,
metallic luster.
Almost whiteish gold
at times. Cubes &
Pyritohedral crystal
shapes often.

7. Chalcopyrite – CuFeS2
• Brassy yellow or yellow greenish metallic
crystals. Usually too fine to see.

8. Pyrite vs Chalcopyrite
Pyrite Chalcopyrite
More yellow goldish More brassy yellow with greenish
tints
Forms cubes and Pyritohedral
shapes
Small, fine crystals
Hardness 6-6.5 Hardness 3.5-4
Poor clevage No clevage
Can spark if hit with hammer Won’t spark if hit
Isometric Tetragonal
FeS2 CuFeS2

9. To identify your own minerals
visit this link!
http://geology.com/minerals/mineral-identification.shtml