Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Montroc, Tarn, France
SIZE : 5.5 x 3 x 3.7 cm

This sample is composed of cuprite crystals insert in a matrix of quartz. Crystals are octaedric and have a gray aspect whith a metallic luster.

This sample, acquired thanks to support from Total, comes from the French mine of Montroc in Tarn.

This sample is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photographie : A. Dahmane / Photo Saint-Hilaire,
© MNHN.

SPECIE : Cuprite

HISTORY : Name derived from Latin "cuprum", meaning copper

Species first described in 1845 by Wilhelm Karl Ritter von Haidinger (1795-1871), Austrian geologist and mineralogist

Type-locality: Halsbrücke, near Freiberg, Saxony, Germany

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Cu2O
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Cubic
COLOR : Cochenillle red, ruby red, pinkish red
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to translucent
LUSTER : Adamantine to sub-metallic
STREAK : Brownish red
MORPHOLOGY : Cubic crystals, octahedric, dodecahedric
HARDNESS : 3,5-4,0
DENSITY : 6,15

CHEMICAL CLASS : IIV - Oxides and hydroxid
GROUP : Cuprite
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 4/A.02-10
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 4.AA.10

Explore the Mineral Treasures of the Muséum

Welcome to
the Virtual Gallery of Mineralogy

Cuprite

Cuprite

MNHN N°198.30

general description

The Species page

Mineralogy