How do I identify Tenorite?

Tenorite can be identified by its hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale, Grey color. Look for these key characteristics when examining specimens.

What color is Tenorite?

Tenorite typically appears in Grey, black. Color can vary depending on impurities and formation conditions.

How hard is Tenorite?

Tenorite has a hardness of 3.5 on the Mohs scale. This gives it moderate hardness.

Tenorite

A variety of Minerals

What is Tenorite?

Tenorite is a copper oxide mineral with the chemical formula CuO.

Tenorite Market Value Calculator

Estimate the market value of Tenorite using size, quality, and finish. This preview calculator is for quick context and is not a formal appraisal.

Tenorite Localities Map

See where Tenorite is found with a localities map, collecting zones, and geology context. Generate a sample map preview below.

Map preview

North ZoneCentral RidgeSouth Basin

Key Characteristics

Formation of Tenorite

Tenorite occurs in the weathered or oxidized zone associated with deeper primary copper sulfide orebodies. Tenorite commonly occurs with chrysocolla and the copper carbonates, azurite and malachite. The dull grey-black color of tenorite contrasts sharply with the often intergrown blue chrysocolla. Cuprite, native copper and Fe–Mn oxides also occur in this environment. In addition to the hydrothermal, tenorite also occurs as a volcanic sublimate from Vesuvius, Campania, and Etna, Sicily, Italy. As a sublimate it occurs with copper chlorides, alkali chlorides and cotunnite. The Vesuvian sublimate occurrence was originally named melaconise or melaconite by F. S. Beudant in 1832. Tenorite was named in 1841 after the Italian botanist Michele Tenore (1780–1861).