Spionkopite

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Spionkopite
Image credit: Mindat

Description

A rare Copper sulfide mineral. Spionkopite occurs naturally in copper deposits in Alberta, Canada and was named after its discovery locality, Spionkop Creek valley. It has also been found as a corrosion product on copper alloy ring recovered from a shipwreck (Nord et al. 1993).

Physical and Chemical Properties

  • Composition = Cu39S28
  • Hardness = 2.5-3
  • Density = 5.13 g/ml
  • Appearance = opaque blue with metallic luster

Resources and Citations

  • A.Nord, K.Lindahl, K.Tronner, "A Note on Spionkopite as Corrosion Product on a Marine Copper Find" Studies in Conservation, 38:133-135, 1993.