Tenorite
Mineral CuO
Also called Melaconite
About it
Black earthy masses and thin, shiny, steel-grey scales in the weathered parts of copper deposits. First described from crusts on Vesuvius lavas; often mixed with cuprite and chrysocolla.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Oxide
- Formula
- CuO
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 3.5–4
- Specific gravity
- 6.45–6.5
- Streak
- black
- Lustre
- metallic, earthy, dull
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Colours
- black, steel grey
- Transparency
- opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- indistinct; conchoidal to uneven fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.