This specimen was recovered from Mica Schist, Canada. Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide mineral with a chemical composition of CuFeS2. Its name derives from the Greek words for copper (chalco-) and brass (pyrite). It can be found in shades of yellow, green and grey, and, when exposed to acid, it can change to purple, blue, violet and yellow tones. Weathering can cause loss of its metallic luster and its brass-yellow colour. Chalcopyrite forms under various conditions, with the most significant deposits being hydrothermal in their origin. It is known globally as the most important ore of copper for thousands of years, and is thus considered a very important mineral formation. Given its golden appearance, it is often confused for the mineral gold, earning it the popular reputation as 'fool's gold' or 'yellow copper'. However, it can be straightforwardly distinguished from gold; the latter is soft, with higher specific gravity and a yellow streak, whereas chalcopyrite is brittle, easily scratched by a nail, and has a greenish grey streak. Copper was the first metal that was used by people. It was discovered by the Neolithic man about 9,000 years ago and it gradually replaced stone as it was easier to be shaped. In Australia, search for copper began after the European settlement, leading to the discovery of substantial deposits, like the one at the Olympic Dam in South Australia, which is regarded as one of the largest copper deposits in the world. Chalcopyrite has been used for copper since smelting processes began approximately five thousand years ago. Although by no means rare, this the specimen of this mineral can be used to reflect a wider history of industrial uses of copper for a significant portion of human history. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study.A solid hand-sized copper iron sulfide mineral of brass yellow, often with an iridescent tarnish, with greenish-black streak and submetallic luster. Chalcopyrite can be formed in several ways, including crystalizing from accessory minerals in igneous rocks, or from magma or within volcano sulfide deposits. Most commonly, chalcopyrite are found in hydrothermal conditions, where it forms in hydrothermal veins. As a member of the tetragonal crystal system, it often takes the shape of tetra-headed crystals, often with striations along the sides of the crystals. #18 Copper pyrites/(chalcopyrite) in/Laurentian Slate/(page 315 of inventory)/page missing from/descriptive catalogue/ Other label: 81 /fool's gold, chalcopyrite, mineral, rock, geology, geological, hydrothermal, neolithic, european settlement, olympic dam, south australia, stone, deposits, specific gravity, greenish grey streak, brittle, mineral gold, metallic luster, cufes2, greek words

Galena Chalcopyrite is the earth's primary ore of lead and is mined from a large number of deposits in many countries. It is also an important source of silver. Galena Chalcopyrite is one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals across the world. The mineral is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks in medium- to low-temperature hydrothermal veins. This specific specimen was recovered from the mines in Broken Hill, New South Wales. The mines in Broken Hill were first established after Charles Rasp discovered a large amount of silver-lead-zinc ore-body in the area in 1883. BHP (Broken Hill Proprietary) mining company was then established in 1885 and quickly became the lead in Australia's mining industry after they began excavating and exporting the country's largest amount of lead, silver, and zinc. This feat generated over $100 billion in wealth for the company.Galena Chalcopyrite is signifiant as it represents the catalyst for the rise of Australia's most influential mining companies - BHP. The mineral was one of the first to be mined in the country and after being made into lead, was used for a variety of things such as paint, batteries, ammunition, and plumbing materials before it was known to be harmful to humans. This specimen is part of a larger collection of geological and mineral specimens collected from around Australia (and some parts of the world) and donated to the Burke Museum between 1868-1880. A large percentage of these specimens were collected in Victoria as part of the Geological Survey of Victoria that begun in 1852 (in response to the Gold Rush) to study and map the geology of Victoria. Collecting geological specimens was an important part of mapping and understanding the scientific makeup of the earth. Many of these specimens were sent to research and collecting organisations across Australia, including the Burke Museum, to educate and encourage further study. A grey, solid hand-sized lead sulfide mineral with a silver metallic luster.burke museum, beechworth, geological, geological specimen, galena, galena chalcopyrite, chalcopyrite, broken hill, bhp, bhp mining, broken hill mine, mine, australia mine, lead, lead mine

Majority of Galena in Australia is found in hydrothermal deposits emplaced around 1680 million years ago which have been heavily metamorphosed. Galena is the natural mineral form of lead sulfaide. It occurs generally as fine to large crystals due to syntectonic remobilization at low temperatures and moves to a suitable location. The colour is a shining lead and silvery gray with high specific gravity between 7.2 and 7.6 gms/cm3 and contains 86.6 lead sulfaide in its purest form. Its cyrstal system is cubic with perfect cleavages, and contract penetration and lamellar twinning. This particular specimen is from the Broken Hill mine, it is one of the largest lead mines located in Western New South Wales and still has ore reserves amounting to 20.9 million tonnes of ore grading of 7.4% lead, 9.4% zinc, and 61.5 million oz of Silver. Throughout its history, it has produced over 200 million tonnes of ore throughout its 127 years of mining history dating back to 1885. Galena mineral ore found in Australia is considered rare, as it is only currently found in the Broken Hill Mine of Western New South Wales. It represents heritage value through the systematic collecting of the geological surveyers in Victoria and Australia during the early to late 19th Century. The fact that it is only found in one mining area of Australia, shows that this specimen is rare for examples of Australian Galena. This mineral specimen is one part to a larger collection, aquistion, and distribution of Garnet in Galena around Australia and parts of the world and donated to the Burke Museum between 1860-1880. While this specimen was not found by the Victorian Geological Survey, it shows the historical need for mapping geological areas around the Gold Rush region to further identify areas of precious metal and gem aquisition. Additionally, collecting these specimens was an important part of mapping the scientific make up of the earth's surface. Many were sent to institutions for further contribution to research and scientific knowledge of the specimens. A solid coin-sized lead and zinc sulphaide and zinc silicate ore mineral in shades of black and red with shiny black points. GARNET CRYSTALS in / GALENA (lead sulphide), / SPALERITE (zinc sulphide), / WILLEMITE (zinc silicate) ore. / Locality: Broken Hill, NSWburke museum, #beechworth, indigo shire, beechworth museum, geological, geological specimen, mineral, galena, galena quartz, broken hill mine, broken hill, nsw