In the series Fakes & Frauds ["Scamite" or "Belazeriet" in Dutch], I discuss in this video #Bornite, and the fact that this in most cases really is #Chalcopyrite treated with acid.
Bright colored copper ore is offered in large quantities under the names #Bornite, #Peacock ore or #Peacock Pyrite. In reality, most of these are the much cheaper mineral #Chalcopyrite that has been treated with an acid to get the beautiful iridescent tarnish colors. In this video, I'd like to inform you about the differences and similarities between Bornite and Chalcopyrite and how to recognize them.
To me, acid-treated Chalcopyrite that is offered as Bornite, without any mention of it, is a 'Scamite' or fraud ['Belazeriet in Dutch]. You are then buying something under a wrong name, and the question is whether the properties described belong to it. That does not mean that the material is not real! So it is a natural stone, only treated by man.
Summary:
- Bornite and Chalcopyrite are both copper ores with a slight difference in chemical composition
- Real Bornite is rare and more expensive, therefore the cheaper Chalcopyrite is treated with acid to look like and to be sold as Bornite
- On a fresh fracture surface, Bornite is copper-red to brown in color and Chalcopyrite is brass-yellow; both often exhibit iridescent tarnish colors due to oxidation (this can be natural but is often accelerated by acid treatment)
- Bornite has a grey-black streak color and Chalcopyrite green-black
- Bornite is orthorhombic but rarely forms crystals; Chalcopyrite forms tetragonal crystals but also occurs in solid masses
- Bornite has hardness 3, Chalcopyrite hardness 3.5-4
- The specific gravity of Bornite is slightly higher (5.1) than that of Chalcopyrite (4.1)
- Always wash your hands after handling!
Caveat emptor!
The videos in the Fakes & Frauds [Belazeriet] series are primarily intended to inform mineral enthusiasts. The best protection against "Scamite" is to be well informed yourself!
So: Caveat emptor; buyer, be on your guard. Who are you buying your minerals from? Are they reliable? Do they know what they are talking about? Are you doing your own research?
However, in addition to "duty to investigate" on the part of the buyer, I believe that the seller also has a "duty to inform". Therefore, I hope that sellers will also start using the videos to properly inform their customers.
Subscribe to my channel to be informed of new videos and follow me on my Facebook page Stapel van Stenen (Dutch): / stapelvanstenen or Instagram: / stapelvanstenen .
Disclaimer:
This is a video where I share my knowledge and enthusiasm about stones. This is not a sales video; you can learn something from it and enjoy looking at beautiful stones. Information is based on reliable (scientific) sources, but my preparation and I are not perfect. If you have anything to add I would love to read it in the comments.