Nukundamite is a rare copper iron sulfide mineral typically found in porphyry copper deposits. It is often identified by its dark, bronze-like appearance and its intimate association with chalcopyrite and bornite.
Is this nukundamite?
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 nukundamite with a known reference. Nukundamite sits at Mohs 3.5, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: dark gray.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: copper red.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: trigonal. Typical habit: hexagonal, massive, microscopic crystals.
Often confused with
Nukundamite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nukundamite leaves dark gray, Bornite leaves pale grayish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nukundamite leaves dark gray, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black.
How to tell apart: Streak differs, so Nukundamite leaves dark gray, Digenite leaves grayish black; luster reads metallic on Nukundamite and submetallic on Digenite.
Often found alongside nukundamite
Minerals reported to co-occur with nukundamite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- (Cu,Fe)₄S₄
- Mohs hardness
- 3.5
- Density
- 4.30 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Dark gray
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Crystal habit
- Hexagonal, massive, microscopic crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {0001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A primary mineral in a Kuroko-type deposit (Undu mine, Fiji Islands); also an alteration product of primary chalcopyrite
Where rockhounds find nukundamite
Classic worldwide localities
- Bisbee, Cochise Co., Arizona, and at Bingham, Tooele Co., Utah, USA
- Undu mine, Nukundamu, Vanua Levu, Fiji Islands (type locality)
- Grasberg Cu–Au deposit, Irian Jaya
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A primary mineral in a Kuroko-type deposit (Undu mine, Fiji Islands); also an alteration product of primary chalcopyrite. If you start seeing pyrite, covellite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: hexagonal, massive, microscopic crystals. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find nukundamite on the map
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