Class : Sulfides and sulfosalts
    Subclass : Sulfides
    Crystal System : Orthorhombic
    Chemistry : Cu₅FeS₄
    Rarity : Common

Primary bornite is present associated with basic rocks, high temperature hydrothermal veins and skarn-type metasomatic deposits. Secondary bornite exists as an alteration product in the cementation zone of many copper deposits, where it may be the dominant copper mineral. It was named in honor of the Austrian mineralogist and paleontologist Ignatius von Born. It usually occurs in compact masses, sometimes grainy. It has a metallic luster, a brilliant bronze to pinkish-brown color on fresh exposure, rapidly dulling to red, copper-red, blue-purple or purplish with pronounced iridescence. Pseudoquadratic crystals of cubic, octahedral or dodecahedral appearance with striated curved faces, remain very rare, generally of millimeter size, although individuals of 8 cm are known. Bornite is one of the most important copper ores.