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Covellite is a copper mineral that exhibits a unique iridescence, with strong metallic blue and sometimes purple colors. Iridescent Covellite is highly prized among collectors, especially when in rare crystallized form. Covellite is named after Niccolo Covelli, an Italian mineralogist who first discovered this mineral. |
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Chemical Formula |
CuS |
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Composition |
Copper sulfide, sometimes with some iron |
| Variable Formula |
(Cu,Fe)S |
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Color |
Dark metallic-blue to dark gray. Highly iridescent bright blue; sometimes also purple, red, and yellow. |
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Streak |
Dark gray to black |
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Hardness |
1.5 - 2 |
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Crystal System |
Hexagonal |
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Crystal Forms
and Aggregates |
Crystals, which are uncommon, are mostly in thin tabular hexagonal plates. They are usually bladed and doubly terminated. Most often platy, grainy, foliated, as coatings, in veins, and massive. |
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Transparency |
Opaque |
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Specific Gravity |
4.6 - 4.8 |
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Luster |
Metallic |
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Cleavage |
1,1 |
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Fracture |
Uneven |
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Tenacity |
Brittle but slighty sectile. Thin flakes are flexible but not elastic. |
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In Group |
Sulfides; Simple Sulfides |
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Striking Features |
Iridescent color and habits |
| Environment |
In hydrothermal replacement ore deposits and in skarns. |
| Rock Type |
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic |
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Popularity (1-4)
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3 |
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Prevalence (1-3)
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2 |
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Demand (1-3) |
2 |
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Brightly colored Covellite is used as a collector's mineral. Covellite is a minor ore of copper in copper deposits.
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Some of the finest Covellite, in thin platy crystal stacks, came from the Calabona Mine, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. Colorful foliated crystals have come from the Bor District, Serbia. In the U.S., the locality of Butte, Silver Bow Co., Montana, is perhaps the best-known locality for this mineral. Covellite clusters over three feet in length have been recovered at the Leonard mine in Butte. Aesthetic masses and think platy crystals of Covellite have come from the Summitville District, Rio Grande Co., Colorado. |
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Chalcopyrite and Bornite both can be confused with Covellite, but these both have a greater hardness. Their iridescence is also not usually as distinctively blue as Covellite.
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Have a question about Covellite? Visit our Q&A Community and ask the experts!
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