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Welcome to the Bornite Mineral Gallery If you have more items you would like listed on this page please use the link below. ---

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Bornite tends to be known as a massive mineral ore due to the fact that good crystals are rare. If found, bornite crystals tend to be distorted cubes with curved faces. Bornite is used in the mineral trade as the curiosity and children's favourite "peacock ore". These samples of bornite are so called due to the iridescent array of colours, similar to those on a peacock's tail, seen on an oxidised surface. This oxidised layer, or tarnish, forms on bornite when exposed to air. The tarnish consists of various copper oxides and hydroxides that form a layer a few atoms thick, over the fresh surface. The layer's thickness corresponds roughly to the wavelength of light and it is due to this property that the iridescence is seen. In bornite's case the tarnish is a purplish, violet or blue colour

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