Tetra-auricupride is a rare intermetallic compound of gold and copper. It typically occurs as microscopic inclusions within gold-bearing ores and is highly valued by mineral collectors for its distinct composition and rarity.
Is this tetra-auricupride?
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 tetra-auricupride with a known reference. Tetra-auricupride sits at Mohs 1.6, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: yellow.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: metallic.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: golden yellow.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: tetragonal. Typical habit: anhedral grains.
Often confused with
Tetra-auricupride vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Gold is the harder of the two (Mohs 2.5-3 vs. 1.6).
How to tell apart: Chalcopyrite is the harder of the two (Mohs 3.5-4 vs. 1.6); streak differs, so Tetra-auricupride leaves yellow, Chalcopyrite leaves greenish black.
Often found alongside tetra-auricupride
Minerals reported to co-occur with tetra-auricupride. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- AuCu
- Mohs hardness
- 1.6
- Density
- 15.03 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- Yellow
- Luster
- Metallic
- Transparency
- Opaque
- Crystal system
- Tetragonal
- Crystal habit
- Anhedral grains
- Cleavage
- None
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- In mafic to ultramafic rocks that also contain platinum group elements
Where rockhounds find tetra-auricupride
Classic worldwide localities
- Additional localities are attributed for this species, but analyses are not given or do not approximate AuCu
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: In mafic to ultramafic rocks that also contain platinum group elements. If you start seeing pyrrhotite, pyrite, chalcopyrite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: anhedral grains. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify tetra-auricupride?+
Where is tetra-auricupride found?+
Is tetra-auricupride safe to handle?+
What rocks look like tetra-auricupride?+
What minerals are found with tetra-auricupride?+
What kind of rock does tetra-auricupride form in?+
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Find tetra-auricupride on the map
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