Guide
Chalcopyrite specimens for sale
496 for sale · $5–$65,000 USD
718 in the gallery
Chalcopyrite is a primary copper iron sulfide mineral that often forms brassy-yellow crystals with a distinctive metallic lustre. Crystals can display a range of habits from tabular to elongated and may develop a pale, rainbow-tinted tarnish on exposed surfaces. It commonly occurs in hydrothermal veins and skarns, frequently associated with quartz, pyrite, and bornite, and is a common accessory mineral in copper-rich deposits. Notable specimen sources include Mexico and China, where well-formed crystals have been collected for decades, as well as other popular localities that produce rich, iridescent surfaces. For collectors, chalcopyrite is valued for its color contrast against darker minerals and its ease of recognition, making it a staple in many suites and display cabinets.
- Formula
- CuFeS2
- Rarity
- Abundant
- Stability
- Stable
- Collector interest
- Very High Interest
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Chalcopyrite from Tonglushan Mine, China
Tonglushan chalcopyrite, Daye, China — brassy crystals and iridescent blister copper spheres; a skarn locality prized by collectors for rarity and context.Read guide
Guide
Chalcopyrite from Madan Ore Field, Bulgaria
Chalcopyrite from Madan Ore Field, Bulgaria; renowned European sulfide specimens with brassy crystals amid black sphalerite and galena, prized for contrast.Read guide
Guide
Chalcopyrite from Dalnegorsk, Russia
Chalcopyrite from Dalnegorsk, Russia — pseudotetrahedral crystals with complex twinning, striking contrast with sphalerite and galena, prized by collectors.Read guideAbout Chalcopyrite
As a copper iron sulfide, chalcopyrite is chemically related to other sulfide minerals and can be confused with pyrite, though its softer Mohs hardness and the distinctive tarnish help distinguish it in hand and on display. While not a source of native copper, its copper content and metallic sheen make it aesthetically appealing when specimens exhibit vibrant zoning or complex crystal shapes. Collectors prize good locale representation and well-preserved terminations, which can showcase the mineral’s warm brassy hue and natural brilliance.
