Digenite is a copper sulfide mineral that typically appears as a dark blue or black massive metallic ore. It is often found in supergene enrichment zones of copper deposits, frequently replacing other sulfides like chalcopyrite or bornite. Collectors should look for its characteristic dark blue iridescent tarnish which helps distinguish it from the more common chalcocite.
Is this digenite?
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 digenite with a known reference. Digenite sits at Mohs 2.5-3 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Digenite leaves a black streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Digenite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: dark blue, black, bluish black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: cubic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or as inclusions in other copper sulfides.
Often confused with
Digenite vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Digenite leaves black, Chalcocite leaves lead-gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Digenite leaves black, Covellite leaves lead gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs — Digenite leaves black, Bornite leaves greyish black.
Often found alongside digenite
Minerals reported to co-occur with digenite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₉S₅
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 5.5-5.6 g/cm³
- Streak
- Black
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or as Inclusions in Other Copper Sulfides
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Copper
- Host rock
- Hydrothermal Copper Deposits
- Typical price
- $10-50 for small specimens, rare to find as large crystals
Where rockhounds find digenite
Classic worldwide localities
- Chuquicamata, Chile
- Butte, Montana, USA
- Tsumeb, Namibia
- Bisbee, Arizona, USA
- Rio Tinto, Spain
Field-hunting tip
Look in hydrothermal copper deposits country — that is the host setting where digenite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcocite, covellite, bornite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or as inclusions in other copper sulfides habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find digenite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
