Bornite is a sulfide mineral with a chemical composition of Cu5FeS4. It is often referred to as "peacock ore" due to its iridescent tarnish that resembles the tail of a peacock. Here are detailed aspects of Bornite:
Bornite is commonly found in association with Chalcopyrite, Galena, and Sphalerite in hydrothermal vein deposits, contact metamorphic zones, and igneous pegmatites. Notable locations for Bornite include:
Bornite was named after Ignaz von Born, an Austrian mineralogist and metallurgist in 1725. It has been known since antiquity for its copper content, with early uses in the smelting of copper. The iridescent properties of Bornite were noted by miners as a sign of copper-rich ore.
Bornite forms in environments where copper-rich fluids interact with iron-bearing minerals. This interaction can occur in: