TENORITE Meaning and
Definition
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Tenorite is a noun that refers to a black or dark green secondary mineral of copper. This mineral is composed of copper oxide (CuO) and belongs to the monoclinic crystal system. Its name is derived from the Latin word "tenere," which means to hold, alluding to its ability to retain its copper content during the smelting process.
Tenorite is commonly found in oxidation zones of copper ore deposits, often forming as a weathering product of other copper minerals. It typically occurs as tabular or prismatic crystals, as well as in massive or granular forms. The mineral has a metallic luster with a hardness ranging from 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale.
In terms of its key physical properties, tenorite has a specific gravity of approximately 6, making it relatively heavy. It also exhibits a subconchoidal fracture and is non-magnetic. Tenorite possesses good cleavage, typically in two directions, and is brittle in nature.
Due to its copper content, tenorite is considered economically significant. It is a valuable source of copper, often processed through smelting and refining methods to extract the metal for various industrial applications. In addition to its importance in the copper industry, tenorite is also of interest to mineral collectors and enthusiasts for its striking dark color, distinctive crystal forms, and association with other minerals found in copper deposits.
Common Misspellings for TENORITE
- renorite
- fenorite
- genorite
- yenorite
- 6enorite
- 5enorite
- twnorite
- tsnorite
- tdnorite
- trnorite
- t4norite
- t3norite
- teborite
- temorite
- tejorite
- tehorite
- tenirite
- tenkrite
- tenlrite
- tenprite
Etymology of TENORITE
The word "tenorite" is derived from the mineral name "tenorite" itself. The mineral was named after the German mineralogist J. G. K. Tenor (1785-1865), who was known for his contributions in the field of mineralogy.
