Cuprospinel is a rare member of the spinel group, typically occurring as a secondary mineral in volcanic fumaroles or oxidizing ore deposits. Collectors prize it for its metallic luster and distinct octahedral habit, though it is often difficult to distinguish from common magnetite without chemical analysis.
Is this cuprospinel?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch cuprospinel with a known reference. Cuprospinel sits at Mohs 5-6 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Cuprospinel leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Cuprospinel typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: black, brownish-black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: octahedral crystals, massive.
Often confused with
Cuprospinel vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cuprospinel leaves black, Franklinite leaves reddish-brown.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Cuprospinel leaves black, Chromite leaves dark brown; luster reads metallic on Cuprospinel and submetallic on Chromite.
Often found alongside cuprospinel
Minerals reported to co-occur with cuprospinel. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- CuFe₂O₄
- Mohs hardness
- 5-6
- Density
- 4.8-5.1 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Octahedral Crystals, Massive
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- Fumaroles, High-temperature Hydrothermal Deposits
- Typical price
- $50-300 per specimen
Where rockhounds find cuprospinel
Classic worldwide localities
- Kamativi Mine, Zimbabwe
- Kurnakov volcano, Kamchatka, Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in fumaroles, high-temperature hydrothermal deposits country — that is the host setting where cuprospinel typically forms. If you start seeing magnetite, hematite, goethite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a octahedral crystals, massive habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find cuprospinel on the map
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