Calcosina

Características generales

Fórmula: Cu₂S
Sistema de cristalización: Ortorrómbico
Lustre: Metálico
Color: Gris oscuro; pátina: negro mate con reflejos azules
Dureza: 2,5-3
Rareza: común
Grupo de minerales: Grupo de la Calcosina - Digenita
Serie: Chalcocite-Yarrowite Series

Fotografías

En la galería de fotografías dispones de 5 fotografías de Calcosina

Formación y ambiente

Se formada a partir de otros minerales de cobre en lo que se llaman zonas de enriquecimiento supergénico.

Aparece como mineral secundario en o cerca de las zonas de oxidación de los yacimientos de minerales sulfuros del cobre.

Infiltración, secundario, hidrotermal.

Propiedades fisicas

Hábito: Los cristales son cortamente prismáticos [001], de gruesos a tabulares {001}, de hasta 12 cm, y prismáticos [100] de hasta 25 cm de longitud. Más común en forma masiva o compacto.

Lustre: Metálico

Transparencia: Opaco

Color: Gris oscuro; pátina: negro mate con reflejos azules

Color en sección fina: Incolora

Raya: Negro grisáceo

Dureza (Mohs): 2,5-3

Tenacidad: Séctil

Exfoliación::

Primera exfoliación: Imperceptible en [110]
Segunda exfoliación: Imperceptible
Tercera exfoliación: Imperceptible

Fractura: Concoidal

Densidad: 5,5-5,8 g/cm³ (medida) | 6,46 g/cm³ (calculada)

Cristalografía

Sistema cristalino:

Ortorrómbico

Clase (H-M): 1m (6/m) - Dipiramidal

Grupo espacial: P2(1)/c

Parámetros de la celda: a=11,881Å b=27,323Å c=13,491Å

Estructura del cristal: β=116,26º

Volumen de unidad de celda: V 3924,48Å

Z: 96

Macla: Maclas cíclicas pseudohexagonales.

Difracción de Rayos X:

Difracción de Rayos X
D(hkl)	Intensidad
1,88	100
1,975	70
2,403	70

Propiedades ópticas

Tipo: Opaco

Dispersión: Ninguna

Anisotropismo: Débil

Reflectancia:

Reflectancia
D(hkl)	Intensidad
470.0	36,6
546.0	33,2
589.0	31,5
650.0	29,7

Propiedades químicas

Fórmula: Cu₂S

Elementos químicos: Cu, S

Composición química: S: 20,15%, Cu: 79,85%,

Tests químicos

Fusibilidad: 1; Mineral tipo: Antimonita; Punto de fusión: 525ºC; Funde con una cerilla
Reacción a los ácidos: Se disuelve en ácido nítrico caliente con la precipitación de azufre
Ensayos en tubo abierto: Libera vapores sulfurosos
Formación de sublimados: Hierve y se funde en un glóbulo metálico.

Otras propiedades

Magnetismo: No magnético

Relaciones con otros minerales

Miembro del grupo de minerales: Grupo de la Calcosina - Digenita

minerales

Calcosina

Fórmula: Cu₂S
Sistema de cristalización: Ortorrómbico
Dureza: 2,5-3
Color: Gris oscuro; pátina: negro mate con reflejos azules
Raya: Negro grisáceo
Brillo: Metálico

minerales

Digenita

Fórmula: Cu₉S₅
Sistema de cristalización: Trigonal
Dureza: 2,5-3
Raya: Negro grisáceo
Brillo: Submetálico

minerales

Djurleita

Fórmula: Cu₃₁S₁₆
Sistema de cristalización: Monoclínico
Dureza: 2,5-3
Raya: Metálica
Brillo: Metálico

minerales

Yarrowita

Fórmula: Cu₉S₈
Sistema de cristalización: Hexagonal
Dureza: 2,5-3
Brillo: Metálico

Minerales acompañantes:

minerales

Azurita

Fórmula: Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂
Sistema de cristalización: Monoclínico
Dureza: 3,5-4
Color: Azul claro, azul oscuro, azul.
Raya: Azul clara
Brillo: Vítreo

minerales

Bornita

Fórmula: Cu₅FeS₄
Sistema de cristalización: Ortorrómbico
Dureza: 3
Color: En superficie reciente es de color bronce pardo, pero al ser expuesta al aire se cubre rápidamente con una pátina jaspeada, púrpura y azulada (por eso se llama también mineral de pavo), y finalmente casi negra.
Raya: Negro grisáceo
Brillo: Metálico

minerales

Yacimientos y localidades de interés

Localidades

Mina Maria, Quebrada Puquios, Atacama, Chile - Localidad tipo.
Capillitas mine, Andalgalá, Catamarca, Argentina
132 North nickel mine, Widgiemooltha, Western Australia, Australia
Burra Burra mine, Burra, South Australia, Australia
Claim 84, Anticline prospect, Ashburton Downs, Western Australia, Australia
Lake Boga quarry, Victoria, Australia
Mt Cleveland Mine, Luina, Tasmania, Australia
Mt Isa Mine, Mt Isa, Queensland, Australia
Mt Lyell, Tasmania and Tingha, New South Wales, Australia
Mt. Elliott Mine, Queensland, Australia
Proprietary mine, Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia
Schwaz-Brixlegg, Tyrol, Austria
Siglo Veinte (XX) mine, Llallagua, Bustillo, Potosí Dept, Bolivia
Jeffrey pit, Asbestos, Shipton Twp., Richmond Co., Québec, Canada
Port Radium, Northwest Territories, Canada
Alexander Gallery, Vrancice, Príbram, Stredocesky, Czech Republic
Borovec, Zdar nad Sazavou, Maehren, Czech Republic
Krupka, Krusne Hory, Vychodocesky, Czech Republic
Moldava, Teplice, Krusne Hory, Vychodocesky, Czech Republic
Anty Cross Mine, Dalton in Furness, Cumbria, England
Bampfylde Mine, Heasley Mill, Devon, England
Birk Fell Mine, Tilberthwaite, Cumbria, England
Black Scar Workings, Levers Water, Cumbria, England
Botallack mine, Botallack, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Botallack, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Brandy Gill Lead mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
Camborne Vean mine, Camborne, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Cannington Park Quarry, Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Carn Brea, Camborne, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Carrock mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
Cooks Kitchen mine, Camborne, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Copper Hill mine, Redruth, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Dale Head Mine, Newlands Valley, Cumbria, England
Dodington mine, Bridgewater, Somerset, England
Dolcoath mine, Camborne, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Driggith Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
Engine Vein, Alderley Edge, Shropshire, England
Geevor mine, Trewellard, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Gunnislake Clitters, Gunnislake, Cornwall, England
Higher Pitts mine, Priddy, Mendip Hills, Somerset, England
Hingston Down quarry, Calstock, Cornwall, England
Judkins quarry, Nuneaton, Warwickshire, England, England
Levant mine, Pendeen, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Loe Warren zawn, Botallack, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Mexico mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
New Cliffe Hill quarry, Markfield, Leicestershire, England
New East Wheal Russel, near Tavistock, Devon, England
Old Potts Gill mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
Penberthy Croft mine, St. Hilary, Cornwall, England
Pendarves mine, Camborne, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Red Gill mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
Roughton Gill Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England
Seathwaite Mine, Seathwaite Tarn. Conist, Cumbria, England
South Crofty mine, Camborne, Illogan, Cornwall, England
South Wheal Towan, Porthowan, Cornwall, England
South Wheal Towan, Porthtowan, Cornwall, England
Spearn Moor mine, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Spearne Moor mine, St. Just, Cornwall, England
St Ives Consols Mine, St.Ives, Cornwall, England
St. Ives Consols mine, St. Ives, Cornwall, England
Tincroft mine, Redruth, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Tresavean mine, Gwennap, Cornwall, England
West Caradon mine, St. Cleer, Cornwall, England
Wheal Abraham, Crowan, Cornwall, England
Wheal Bassett, Redruth, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Wheal Buller, Redruth, Illogan, Cornwall, England
Wheal Cock, Botallack, St. Just., Cornwall, England
Wheal Crenver, Crowan, Cornwall, England
Wheal Edward, St. Just, Cornwall, England
Wheal Gorland, Gwennap, Cornwall, England
Wheal Phoenix, Linkinhorne, Cornwall, England
Wheal Unity, Gwennap, Cornwall, England
Wheal Unity, Gwinear, Cornwall, England
Wood mine, Alderley Edge, Cheshire, England
Cap Garonne, Le Pradet, Var, France
Chessy-les-Mines, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France
Falgayrolles, Aveyron, Midi-Pyrénées, France
La Pacaudière, Le Crozet, Loire, Rhône-Alpes, France
Montebras, Soumans, Creuse, Limousin, France
Tistoulet mine, Padern, Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Anton mine, Heubachtal, Wittichen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Clara mine, Oberwolfach, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Daniel mine, Schneeberg, Sachsen, Germany
Floßberg mine, Bad Lauterberg, Harz Mts, Sachsen, Germany
Glücksrad mine, Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Harz Mts, Sachsen, Germany
Hechtsberg quarry, Kinzigtal, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Hilfe Gottes mine, Wiemannsbucht, Bad Grund, Harz Mts, Sachsen, Germany
Johann mine, Wittichen, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Kafersteige mine, Pforzheim, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Kirchheimerstollen, Müllenbach, Baden-Baden, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Königswart, Freudenstadt, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
Nesselgrund quarry, Schnellbach, Bad Salzungen, Thüringen, Germany
Rammelsberg mine, Goslar, Harz Mts, Sachsen, Germany
Schweina-Glücksbrunn, Bad Liebenstein, Eisenach, Thüringen, Germany
Silberbrünnle mine, Kinzigtal, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany
St. Andreasberg, Hartz Mts, Niedersachsen, Germany
Uranlagerstatte Mullenbach, Baden-Baden, Germany
Hilarion adit, Agios Konstandinos, Laurion, Attica, Greece
Ilimaussaq, West Greenland
Ivigtut, Arsuk Fjord, Greenland
Silvermines district, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
Carrara, Tuscany, Italy
Molinello mine, Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy
Val Graveglia, Liguria, Italy
Ashio mine, Ashio-machi, Kamitsuga, Tochigi Pref., Japan
Dzeshkazgan Copper Mine, Dzhezkazgan, Kazakhstan
Sarbay silver mine, Rudni, Kusteni Oblast, Kazakhstan
Boleo, Santa Rosalia, Baja California, Mexico
Alt Bobos mine, Otavi, Namibia
Berg Aukas, Otavi, Namibia
Guchab-Rodgerberg area, Otavi, Namibia
Kombat mine, Tsumeb, Otavi, Namibia
Nosib mine, Otavi, Namibia
Tschudi mine, Otavi, Namibia
Tsumeb mine, Tsumeb, Otavi, Namibia
Tsumeb West Vanadium mine, Otavi, Namibia
Evje-Ivedal, Iveland, Aust-Agder, Norway
Kongsberg, Buskerud, Norway
Panasqueira mine, Panasqueira, Beira-Beixa, Portugal
Aldan Shield, Yakutiya, Siberia, Russia
Dal'negorsk, Primorskiy Kray, Russia
Murun massif, Davan, Torgo river basin, Aldan Shield, Yakutia, Siberia, Russia
Mutnovskoe, Kamchatka, Russia
Polar Urals, Tyumen Oblast, Russia
Rodnikovoe, Kamchatka, Russia
Blairelogie mine, Clackmannanshire, Scotland
Boyleston Quarry, Barrhead, Glasgow, Scotland
Carsaig Bay, Carsaig, Isle of Mull, Scotland
Loanhead quarry, near Beith, Strathclyde, Scotland
Rhuba a'Mhill, Isle of Islay, Scotland
Silver Glen, Clackmannanshire, Scotland
Messina, Transvaal, South Africa
Horcajo mines, Ciudad Real, Spain
Rio Tinto mines, Huelva, Spain
Långban mines, Bergslagen ore district, Värmland, Sweden
Mürtschenalp, Glarus, Switzerland
79 Mine, Banner District, Gila Co., Arizona, USA
Alice mine, Alice district, Clear Creek Co., Colorado, USA
American Copper Mine, Bridgewater, Somerset Co., New Jersey, USA
American mine, Bingham Canyon, Salt Lake Co., Utah, USA
Anaconda Area, Deer Lodge Co., Montana, USA
Arlington Copper Mine, North Arlington, Bergen Co., New Jersey, USA
Arlington Quarry etc, Leesburg, Loudoun Co., Virginia, USA
Balmat, St. Lawrence Co., New York, USA
Balmat-Edwards District, Governor, St.Lawrence Co., New York, USA
Beaver Valley Quarry, Shine, Jefferson Co., Washington, USA
Bechtel/Snively Mines, Mount Hope, York Co., Pennsylvania, USA
Benson Mines, Newton Falls/Star Lake, St.Lawrence Co., New York, USA
Betty Baker Mine, Hillsville, Virginia, USA
Bingham canyon, Salt Lake Co., Utah, USA
Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Booth & Lane Mines, Monroe, Fairfield Co., Connecticut, USA
Bound Brook Quarry, Bridgewater, Somerset Co., New Jersey, USA
Brandywine Quarry, Willimgton, New Castle Co., Delaware, USA
Bristol Copper Mine, Bristol, Hartford Co., Connecticut, USA
Bristol, Connecticut, USA
Burro Mountain Area, Central District, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
Butte General Area, Montana, USA
Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
Callahan mine, Brooksville, Hancock Co., Maine, USA
Camp Bird/Dunmore/Monarch Mtn/Portland Mines et., Ouray Area, Ouray Co., Colorado, USA
Campbell shaft, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Cashin/Bitter Creek/J & J Mine etc, Paradox Valley Area/La Sal Creek, Montrose Co., Colorado, USA
Centennial Eureka mine, Tintic distr., Juab Co, Utah, USA
Centennial Mine, Calumet, Houghton Co., Michigan, USA
Central York Mts., West Seward Peninsula, Alaska, USA
Chino ore body, Central Mining District, Grant Co., Nevada, USA
Christmas Mine, Hayden, Gila Co., Arizona, USA
Comstock Lode, Virginia City, Storey Co., Nevada, USA
Conklin quarry, Lincoln, Providence Co., Rhode Island, USA
Copper Hill Area mines, Ducktown, Polk Co., Tennessee, USA
Copper Knob Mine, Ashenty, North Carolina, USA
Copper Mt pegmatite district, Fremont Co., Wyoming, USA
Copper Queen Mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Cornwall, Lebanon Co., Pennsylvania, USA
Courtland-Gleeson District, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Crestmore Quarry, Crestmore, Riverside Co., California, USA
Crystal Pass, Ray, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
Dome Rock Mts. Area, La Paz, Yuma Co., Arizona, USA
Dubuque Area, Dubuque Co., Iowa, USA
Ducktown mine, Polk Co., Tennessee, USA
East Colusa Mine, Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
East Tintic Mine, Juab Co., Utah, USA
Eberle Mine, Cobb, Iowa Co., Wisconsin, USA
Eight Mile Park, Eight Mile Park pegmatite district, Fremont Co., Colorado, USA
Encampment copper district, Carbon Co., Wyoming, USA
Erie Mine/Enterprise Mine, Austin, Lander Co., Nevada, USA
Evergreen mine, near Apex, Gilpin Co., Colorado, USA
Fairfax Quarry, Centreville, Fairfax Co., Virginia, USA
Fat Jack mine, Lane Mt., Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
Fernando Mine/etc, Darwin District, Inyo Co., California, USA
Flambeau mine, Ladysmith, Rusk Co., Wisconsin, USA
Galena General Area, Jo Davies Co., Illinois, USA
Gem mine, Gem Park complex, Fremont Co., Colorado, USA
General Area, Franklin, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
Gillman District, Colorado, USA
Grand Reef mine, Laurel Canyon, Aravaipa mining distr., Graham Co., Arizona, USA
Granite Gap, Hidalgo Co., New Mexico, USA
Guston Mine etc, Red Mountain Pass Area, Ouray Co., Colorado, USA
Harding Mine, Dixon, Taos Co., New Mexico, USA
Hartville iron-copper district, Platte Co., Wyoming, USA
Hartville Uplift Copper district, Goshen Co., Wyoming, USA
Hartville, Platte Co., Wyoming, USA
Hunting Hill quarry, Rockville, Montgomery Co., Maryland, USA
Jensen Quarry, Riverside Co., California, USA
Jumbo Copper mine, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska, USA
Kennecott, Copper river district, Alaska, USA
Keystone-Douglas Creek gold-copper district, Albany Co., Wyoming, USA
Kirwin copper district, Park Co., Wyoming, USA
La Prele copper district, Converse Co., Wyoming, USA
Leonard Mine etc, Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
Lewis/Adams/Washington/NezPerce/Idaho Counties, Seven Devils Mining District, Idaho, USA
Liberty Copper/Dolly Hyde Copper Mines, Libertytown, Fredrick Co., Maryland, USA
Libson Valley Area, San Juan Co., Colorado, USA
Loudville Lead Mine, Loudville, Hampshire Co., Massachusetts, USA
Magdalena district, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA
Magma Mine, Superior, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
Majuba Hill mine, Pershing Co., Nevada, USA
Mammoth-St. Anthony mine, Tiger, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
Memphis Mine, Organ district, Dona Ana Co., New Mexico, USA
Miami, Gila Co., Arizona, USA
mica Lode/Meyers/School Section Mines/etc, Royal Gorge Area, El Paso Co., Colorado, USA
Mineral Park Mine, Ithaca Peak, Mohave Co., Arizona, USA
Mineral Point, Iowa Co., Wisconsin, USA
Morenci, Greenlee Co., Arizona, USA
Morenci-Metcalf, Clifton, Greenlee Co., Arizona, USA
Mountain City Copper Mine, Elko Co., Nevada, USA
Myers Quarry, Fremont Co., Colorado, USA
Nacimiento Mine, Sandoval Co., New Mexico, USA
New Cornelia Mine, Ajo, Pima Co., Arizona, USA
New Rambler copper-gold-platinum district, Albany Co., Wyoming, USA
Okimah, Okfuskee Co., Oklahoma, USA
Old Guard Mine, Tombstone, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Ore Knob Copper Mine, Ashe, Ashe Co., North Carolina, USA
Paoli Area, Garvin Co., Oklahoma, USA
Park City & Alta, Clayton Peak, Utah, USA
Park City, Summit Co., Utah, USA
Platteville Area, Iowa Co., Wisconsin, USA
Questa Mine, Taos Co., New Mexico, USA
Rawley Mine, Thebna, Maricopa Co., Arizona, USA
Ray mine, Pina Co., Arizona, USA
Ray, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
Reed/Bechtel/Snively/Russel/Bingham, Adams Co., Pennsylvania, USA
Rico Argentite mine, Rico district, Dolores Co., Colorado, USA
Rosalia Station, California, USA
Royal Gorge Area, Fremont Co., Colorado, USA
Rutherford Mines, Amelia Court House, Virginia, USA
Saginaw Hill, Pima Co., Arizona, USA
San Manuel mine, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
Santa Rita mine, Silver City, New Mexico, USA
Santa Rita Pit, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
Sedalia Copper Mine, Sedalia, Chaffee Co., Colorado, USA
Shattuck mine, Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, USA
Sheep Mt mine, Albany Co., Wyoming, USA
Sikver Cliff Area, Custer Co., Colorado, USA
Silver Cliff mine, Niobrara Co., Wyoming, USA
Silver Crown copper district, Laramie Co., Wyoming, USA
Silver Hill, Davidson Co., North Carolina, USA
Silver King Mine, Superior, Pinal Co., Arizona, USA
Silverton District, San Juan Co., Colorado, USA
Smuggler Vein, Smuggler Union Consolidated mine, Marshall Basin, Telluride District, San Miguel Co., Colorado, USA
Sneech Pond Copper mine, Cumberland, Providence Co., Rhode Island, USA
Sterling Hill and Franklin Furnace, Sussex Co., New Jersey, USA
Stewart Mine, Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
Strong copper mine, Albany Co., Wyoming, USA
Tintic Standard mine, Dividend, Utah Co., Utah, USA
Trail Creek mine area, Converse Co., Wyoming, USA
Tramway mine, Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, USA
Trap rock Quarry, Chesire, New Haven Co., Connecticut, USA
Twin Buttes, Pima Co., Arizona, USA
Tyrone Mine, Grant Co., New Mexico, USA
Union Copper/Pioneers/Cosley's/McMalzin's etc, Area mines, Cabarrus Co., North Carolina, USA
United Verde Copper Co., Jerome, Yavapai Co., Arizona, USA
Warren Nickel prospect, Warren, Knox Co., Maine, USA
White Pine mine, Ontonagan Co., Michigan, USA
Wood Copper Mine, micaville, Cleburne Co., Alabama, USA
Bontddu trial level, Bontddu, Gwynedd, Wales
Camdwrbach Mine, Ponterwyd, Ceulanymaesmawr, Dyfed, Wales
Esgair Hir mine, Talybont, Ceulanymaesmawr, Dyfed, Wales
Frongoch Mine, Pontrhydygroes, Dyfed, Wales
Great Ormes Head Mine, Llandudno, Gwynedd, Wales
Llechwedd Helyg mine, Tir-y-Mynach, Dyfed, Wales
Llettyhen Mine (Vaughan), Bontgoch, Tirymynach, Dyfed, Wales
Nant-y-Cagel mine (Eagle Brook), Talybont, Ceulanymaesmawr, Dyfed, Wales
Parys Mountain mine, Anglesey, Wales
Kipushi mine, Lubumbashi, Shaba, Zaire
Mashamba West mine, Shaba, Zaire
Musonoi mine, Kolwezi, Shaba, Zaire
Broken Hill mine, Kabwe, Zambia