Roxbyite is a mineral that belongs to the copper sulfide group. It is a rare mineral, mainly found in rodingite rocks in certain geological formations. The name "roxbyite" was derived from its original discovery location in the Roxby Downs Mine in South Australia.
Roxbyite is composed of copper, iron, and sulfur, with the chemical formula Cu10Fe4S13. It typically occurs in the form of tiny, tabular crystals or as anhedral masses. The mineral often exhibits a metallic luster, appearing gray to black in color. Its streak is black, and it has a high density relative to other minerals.
As a mineral, roxbyite possesses a unique crystal structure, characterized by a complex arrangement of copper and sulfur atoms. It has an orthorhombic crystal system and belongs to the space group Pbcm. The crystal structure of roxbyite is closely related to that of chalcocite, another copper sulfide mineral.
Roxbyite is primarily sought after by mineral collectors due to its rarity and unique crystal habit. It is not a commercially significant mineral, and there are no known industrial applications associated with it. Its occurrence is limited to a few localities worldwide, including South Australia, Western Australia, Austria, and the United States.
Given its scarcity and limited practical uses, roxbyite holds more importance in the field of mineralogy for scientific study, allowing researchers to gain insights into copper sulfide mineral chemistry and crystal structures.
