Enargite
A variety of Minerals
What is Enargite?
Enargite is an important ore of copper, but it also occurs with other minerals and chemical elements such as Quartz, Bornite, Pyrite, or even Gold. This very common mineral is found in deposits related to low temperatures. It mostly occurs as a distinct steel-gray to black crystal with a violet film, but sometimes it can be dull gray.
Etymology & Origins
It takes its name from the Greek word enarge, "distinct".
Uses & Applications
Enargite can form crystals in long cylinders that can be very shiny, beautiful, and attractive to collectors. The mineral is a reasonably common ore of copper, an important commercial product used in wiring, motors, piping, cookware, and many other products.
Enargite Market Value Calculator
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Enargite Localities Map
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Key Characteristics
Characteristics of Enargite
Enargite is a steel gray, blackish gray, to violet black mineral with metallic luster. It forms slender orthorhombic prisms as well as massive aggregates. It has a hardness of 3 and a specific gravity of 4.45.
Formation of Enargite
It is a medium to low temperature hydrothermal mineral occurring with quartz, pyrite, sphalerite, galena, bornite, tetrahedrite–tennantite, chalcocite, covellite and baryte. It occurs in the mineral deposits at Butte, Montana, San Juan Mountains, Colorado and at both Bingham Canyon and Tintic, Utah. It is also found in the copper mines of Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Peru, and the Philippines. Enargite was originally described as a new species from the copper mines of the San Francisco vein, Junin Department, Peru. The name is from Greek έναργής ("distinct"), in reference to its distinct cleavage. Enargite is related to lazarevicite (named after M. Lazarevic), which has the same chemical formula, but cubic crystalline structure.
Health & Safety Information
- ⚠️Harm Reason: Enargite dust is toxic because it contains heavy metals Arsenic, Copper.
- ⚠️Heavy Metal: Arsenic, Copper
- ⚠️How to prevent the risks of Enargite?
Quick Facts
Physical Properties
- Color
- Greyish-black to black, grey-brown, rose-brown in reflected light
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3
- Density
- 4.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Crystal System
- Orthorhombic
Chemical Properties
- Chemical Formula
- Cu3AsS4
- Elements
- As, Cu, S
Also Known As
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