Covellite
High-end Mineral Specimens
Covellite is a soft, opaque copper sulfide, CuS, recognized by its indigo-blue to blue-black color, submetallic luster and frequent purple or brassy iridescence. It commonly forms thin plates or coatings in altered copper deposits.
Identity
- Material or variety
- Covellite
- Scientific or material identity
- Covellite
- Classification
- Natural mineral or mineral variety
- Composition or formula
- CuS
- Crystal system or structure
- Hexagonal
- Geological or manufacturing origin
- Can form in more than one geological environment, or combines several materials.
- Mohs hardness
- 1.5 to 2
Origins
Argentina · Australia · China · Germany · Italy · Peru · USA
Appearance & optical properties
metallic indigo-blue covellite with iridescent purple edges.
History & discovery
French mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant named covellite in 1832 for Italian mineralogist Nicola Covelli, who discovered it at Mount Vesuvius. Covelli’s studies of volcanic products led him to identify several previously unknown minerals.
Uses & care
- Common uses
- Covellite is a minor copper ore but is best known as a collector mineral. Its electrical properties and layered structure also make copper sulfide material a subject of battery, sensor and solar-device research.
- Handling and cleaning
- Treat covellite as a delicate display specimen. Its very low hardness and perfect basal cleavage make it easy to scratch or split; handle minimally and remove loose dust only with a very soft dry brush.
Jewellery
5 pieces of Covellite jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.
Indigo Mirror Ring
Ring
A ring set with a polished covellite stone that shifts from indigo to peacock blue across its face. Its metallic sheen comes from thin films on the copper sulfide.
Peacock Ore Pendant
Pendant
A pendant holding a raw covellite crystal with an iridescent tarnish of violet, blue and green. The stone is a copper ore that polishes into a small mirror.
Night Blue Brooch
Brooch
A brooch set with a flat covellite slice, its surface a deep metallic blue broken by glints of red and green. It is a jewel for collectors, soft and best kept in a case.
Indigo Flash Earrings
Earrings
An imagined pair of earrings of covellite, an indigo-blue copper mineral that flashes purple and gold in the light.
Midnight Iris Crown
Crown
An imagined silver crown set with covellite, an indigo copper mineral that flashes purple and gold like an iris petal.