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Material World

Azurite vs Chalcopyrite

Azurite and Chalcopyrite are genuine alternatives to one another — a choice somebody actually makes — and differ on 4 measured properties, crystal system most clearly.

Azurite vs Chalcopyrite

Azurite

Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2

The blue copper carbonate that slowly becomes the green one — which is why so many old skies have turned to foliage.

Chalcopyrite

CuFeS2

A brassy copper-iron sulfide, and the principal ore of copper.

Property comparison of Azurite and Chalcopyrite
PropertyAzuriteChalcopyrite
Crystal system

Categorical values can be listed side by side but not ordered or subtracted.

monoclinictetragonal
Density3.7–3.9 g/cm³4.1–4.3 g/cm³ higher
Lustre

Categorical values can be listed side by side but not ordered or subtracted.

vitreousmetallic
Mohs hardness

Mohs hardness is an ordinal scale: values can be ranked, but differences and ratios between them are not meaningful.

3.5–43.5–4
Streak

Categorical values can be listed side by side but not ordered or subtracted.

light bluegreenish black

Other comparisons