Tenorite

Tenorite on azurite; Image credit: Ra'ike Wikipedia

Description

Raman spectrum of synthetic tenorite; Credit RRUFF

A dark gray to black copper oxide mineral with a metallic luster. Tenorite was named for G. Tenor, in Naples about 1860. While it can occur as an ore, tenorite has also been found as an alteration product of Cuprite forming a thin dark layer over the red. The presence of tenorite as a patina may indicate the object was heated before or during burial (Scott 1997). In a basic environment of a burial site, tenorite has also been found as an alteration product of Azurite (Gutscher et al 1989).

Synonyms and Related Terms

copper (II) oxide; cupric oxide; melaconite; tenorita (Esp.); Tenorit (Deut.); tenoriet (Ned.)

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Monoclinic crystal system naturally forming large masses
• Luster is metallic.
• Fracture = conchoidal
• Insoluble in water

Composition	CuO
Mohs Hardness	3.5
Melting Point	1065 C
Density	5.8-6.4 g/ml

Resources and Citations

• D.Scott, "Copper Compounds in Metals and Colorants: Oxides and Hydroxides" Studies in Conservation, 42:93-100, 1997.

• D.Gutscher, B.Muhlethaler, A.Portmann, A.Reller, "Conversion of Azurite into Tenorite" Studies in Conservation, 34:117-122, 1989.

• D.A.Scott, Copper and Bronze in Art: Corrosion, Colorants and Conservation, Getty Publications, Los Angeles, 2002.

• Wikipedia: Tenorite Accessed Dec 2022

• Webmineral: Tenorite Accessed Dec 2022