Chalcopyrite with bornite BIRUG 1988

3D Model

BIRUG 1988 is a specimen of chalcopyrite – a copper and iron sulphate mineral that is one of the major ores of copper. The mineral has a metallic brass colour and often, as is the case here, has an iridescent tarnish due to weathering – in this case producing the secondary copper mineral bornite.

The mineral is so named from the Greek “chalkos” (copper) and “pyrites” (strike fire). Bornite, named after the Austrian mineralogist Ignaz von Born, is also commonly known as peacock ore.

This specimen was found near Tavistock in Devon, UK and was donated to the Lapworth by W. McLean in 1915, forming part of the McLean Collection. Digitisation was carried out by Courtney Szanto, using an Artec Spider 3D scanner.