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Cuprite identification and geology

A copper oxide mineral Cu₂O with an isometric crystal system, a distinctive deep red color, and an adamantine to submetallic luster. Cuprite is an important secondary copper ore mineral that forms in the oxidation zone of copper sulfide deposits. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5–4, a red-brown streak, and a specific gravity of approximately 6.1. Field: mineralogy. Example: Brilliant red cuprite crystals from the Onganja mine in Namibia are highly prized by mineral collectors for their sharp octahedral form and intense ruby-red color.. Related terms: Malachite, Azurite, Native copper, Oxidation zone.

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Sources, scope & corrections

These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.

Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T15:19:41.970235+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
  • USGS Thesaurus — U.S. Geological Survey. Controlled earth-science terminology used to describe USGS information resources.
  • Glossary of Geologic Terms — U.S. National Park Service. Geologic definitions prepared by the NPS Geologic Resources Inventory.

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Common questions

What does Cuprite mean in geology?
A copper oxide mineral Cu₂O with an isometric crystal system, a distinctive deep red color, and an adamantine to submetallic luster. Cuprite is an important secondary copper ore mineral that forms in the oxidation zone of copper sulfide deposits. It has a Mohs hardness of 3.5–4, a red-brown streak, and a specific gravity of approximately 6.1.
What is an example of Cuprite?
Brilliant red cuprite crystals from the Onganja mine in Namibia are highly prized by mineral collectors for their sharp octahedral form and intense ruby-red color.
Which earth-science field uses the term Cuprite?
Cuprite is used in mineralogy.
Which terms are related to Cuprite?
Related terms in this reference are Malachite, Azurite, Native copper, Oxidation zone.

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