Mineral Species: Cuprite and Malachite
Chemical Formula: Cu2O
Chemical Name: Copper Oxide
Mineral Class: Oxide
Mineral Notes: Cuprite typically occurs in upper oxidised parts of Copper deposits, usually found with native Copper and other secondary minerals including Malachite and Azurite. It has a relatively simple crystal structre with the Copper ion between two Oxygen ions, and every Oxygen is tetrahedrally coordinated with four Copper ions. It is a very minor ore of Copper.
Description: A specimen of massive metallic Cuprite on Quartz matrix, liberally dotted with bright red cuprite crystals and thin dustings of native Copper. A blue-green Malachite deposit on the front face.
Location: Wheal Phoenix Mine, Cornwall, England