Class : Oxides and hydroxides
    Subclass : Oxides
    Crystal system : Monoclinic
    Chemistry : CuO
    Rarity : Fairly common

Tenorite is a secondary copper mineral, known mainly in its massive form (melaconite variety) in the oxidation zone of copper deposits, mainly in hot climates; however, it is less common than cuprite, which it often accompanies. Tenorite is also formed by sublimation of chlorinated volcanic gases at the vents of certain fumaroles. It was named in honor of Michele Tenore, Professor of Botany at the University of Naples (Italy). Tenorite is a black mineral, with a metallic to greasy luster, most often massive and powdery. Its crystals are exceptional. The most beautiful are very thin flexible millimeter lamellae directly implanted on the lava and come from fumarolic deposits. It is a notable copper ore in the superficial parts of large copper deposits.

Main photo : Tenorite from Mount Somma, Italy © Stephan Wolfsried

Twinning is common on {011}, producing dovetail and feather shapes or star groups and complex dendritic patterns.

No fakes listed for this mineral species.