Djurleite is a copper sulfide mineral that is frequently overlooked as it visually resembles chalcocite. It typically occurs as secondary enrichment in copper deposits and is best identified through X-ray diffraction or chemical analysis due to its striking similarity to other copper sulfides.
Is this djurleite?
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 djurleite with a known reference. Djurleite 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. Djurleite leaves a lead-gray streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Djurleite typically shows a metallic luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: lead-gray, dark blue, black.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: monoclinic. Typical habit: massive, granular, or thin tabular crystals.
Often confused with
Djurleite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Djurleite leaves lead-gray, Chalcocite leaves lead-gray to black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Djurleite leaves lead-gray, Digenite leaves black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Djurleite leaves lead-gray, Covellite leaves lead gray to black.
Often found alongside djurleite
Minerals reported to co-occur with djurleite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Cu₃₁S₁₆
- Mohs hardness
- 2.5-3
- Density
- 6.3-6.4 g/cm³
- Streak
- Lead-gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Monoclinic
- Crystal habit
- Massive, Granular, Or Thin Tabular Crystals
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Collector, Ore of Copper
- Host rock
- Supergene Copper Deposits, Hydrothermal Veins
- Typical price
- $15-150 per specimen
Where rockhounds find djurleite
Classic worldwide localities
- Djurle, Sweden
- Butte, Montana, USA
- Chuquicamata, Chile
- Tsumeb, Namibia
Field-hunting tip
Look in supergene copper deposits, hydrothermal veins country, the host setting where djurleite typically forms. If you start seeing chalcocite, bornite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a massive, granular, or thin tabular crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify djurleite?+
Where is djurleite found?+
How much is djurleite worth?+
What rocks look like djurleite?+
What minerals are found with djurleite?+
What kind of rock does djurleite form in?+
What is djurleite used for?+
Find djurleite on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
