Known as the "peacock ore" due to it quickly tarnishing to an iridescent purple after exposure to air and moisture, this mineral has been known since 1725, but was not given its current name until 1845 when it was named for Ignaz von Born (1742-1791), an Austrian mineralogist. A widely occurring copper ore, it is usually found associated with other copper minerals in hypogene deposits.

Mineral Photos courtesy of R.Weller/Cochise College