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 dark heavy nodule of intermixed Cuprite and native Copper. Although the surface has mostly been smoothed by weathering, on one side is a patch of intenesly red Cuprite crystals. These are very lustrous and in between grains of metallic copper can be seen.

Location: Wheal Druid, Illogan, Cornwall, England.