Cuproauride is a rare intermetallic mineral composed of copper and gold. It typically occurs as microscopic grains within gold-bearing veins or volcanic environments and is highly prized by collectors for its unique chemical composition.

Hardness

2.5-3

Mohs

Luster

Metallic

Streak

Yellow

Transparency

Opaque

mineralrareGold Group family

Cuproauride

Hardness: 2.5-3
Luster: Metallic
Streak: Yellow
Transparency: Opaque

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Is this cuproauride?

5-step field check

Run through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.

1
Test the hardness
Try to scratch cuproauride with a known reference. Cuproauride sits at Mohs 2.5-3, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
2
Check the streak
Drag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cuproauride leaves a yellow streak.
3
Read the luster
Hold the specimen under a strong light. Cuproauride typically shows a metallic luster.
4
Match the color range
Compare against the expected color range: yellow, gold-yellow.
5
Look at form & habit
Crystal system: cubic. Typical habit: anhedral grains, massive, interstitial fillings.

Often confused with

Cuproauride vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.

mineral

Gold

Mohs 2.5-3

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cuproauride leaves yellow, Gold leaves golden yellow.

How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Cuproauride leaves yellow, Copper leaves copper-red.

Compare →

Often found alongside cuproauride

Minerals reported to co-occur with cuproauride. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.

All properties

Chemical formula: CuAu
Mohs hardness: 2.5-3
Density: 15.0-16.0 g/cm³
Colors: Yellow Gold-yellow
Streak: Yellow
Luster: Metallic
Transparency: Opaque
Crystal system: Cubic
Crystal habit: Anhedral Grains, Massive, Interstitial Fillings
Cleavage: None
Rarity: Rare
Uses: Collector, Scientific Research
Host rock: Hydrothermal Veins, Volcanic Exhalations
Typical price: $50-500 depending on specimen size and rarity

Where rockhounds find cuproauride

Classic worldwide localities

Hope's Nose, Torquay, UK
Kudryavyi Volcano, Kuril Islands, Russia
Komsomolskoye gold deposit, Kazakhstan

Field-hunting tip

Look in hydrothermal veins, volcanic exhalations country, the host setting where cuproauride typically forms. If you start seeing gold, hematite, cuprite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a anhedral grains, massive, interstitial fillings habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.

Common questions

How do you identify cuproauride?+

Mohs hardness is 2.5-3. It typically shows a metallic luster. The streak is yellow. Common colors include yellow, gold-yellow.

Where is cuproauride found?+

Notable localities include Hope's Nose, Torquay, UK; Kudryavyi Volcano, Kuril Islands, Russia; Komsomolskoye gold deposit, Kazakhstan.

How much is cuproauride worth?+

Typical asking prices fall in the range of $50-500 depending on specimen size and rarity. Quality, size, and provenance can move individual specimens well outside that range.

What rocks look like cuproauride?+

Cuproauride is most often confused with Gold, Copper. A quick hardness test and a streak check separate the look-alikes faster than color alone.

What minerals are found with cuproauride?+

Cuproauride commonly co-occurs with gold, hematite, cuprite, tenorite. Spotting any of these in float or country rock is a useful trip signal.

What kind of rock does cuproauride form in?+

Cuproauride typically forms in hydrothermal veins, volcanic exhalations. Working float back to the host body is the standard way to chase a fresh occurrence.

What is cuproauride used for?+

Cuproauride is used in collector, scientific research.

Find cuproauride on the map

RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.