The Complete List of Minerals In Cyprus

Cyprus’s geology reflects a mix of ancient ophiolites, hydrothermal veins and sedimentary deposits that have supported mining for millennia. From village quarries to old mine workings, the island’s rocks host a surprising diversity of mineral species worth exploring and documenting.

There are 49 Minerals in Cyprus, ranging from Actinolite to Wollastonite. For each mineral, the list below organizes key details using the columns Formula,Locality (Cyprus),Occurrence / Commonality so you can quickly scan chemistry, where it’s found, and how common it is — you’ll find below.

How common are these minerals across Cyprus?

Occurrence varies widely: some species are widespread accessory minerals in common rocks, while others are rare, found only in specific hydrothermal veins or skarn deposits. The Occurrence / Commonality column gives a quick sense of rarity, and Locality (Cyprus) points to exact sites to check for more detailed studies or visits.

Is it legal and safe to collect mineral samples at the listed localities?

Collecting rules differ by site — some are on private land, protected areas, or unsafe old workings — so always check local regulations and obtain permission. Respect safety (helmets, stable ground) and conservation guidelines; many collectors share precise locality details only in specialist communities or with written access.

Minerals in Cyprus

Images and Descriptions

Chalcopyrite

Chalcopyrite is the main copper-bearing sulfide in Cyprus’ ancient copper deposits. It forms brassy yellow metallic masses in massive sulfide bodies and is central to the island’s mining history and landscape.

Pyrite

Pyrite, “fool’s gold,” is abundant in Troodos sulfide bodies and volcanic rocks. It forms shiny brass crystals or massive seams and is a frequent host or indicator of Cyprus mineralization.

Sphalerite

Sphalerite is the main zinc mineral in Cyprus’ volcanogenic sulfide deposits. It appears as resinous brown to black crystals in massive ore and is commonly found with galena and chalcopyrite.

Galena

Galena is the dense, lead-gray sulfide often found in Cyprus’ massive sulfide deposits. It forms cubic crystals and veinlets and is an important lead-bearing mineral in old mine workings.

Bornite

Bornite is a colorful copper-iron sulfide that can show iridescent purples on tarnish. In Cyprus it occurs in copper-rich parts of VMS orebodies and is notable for its distinctive color.

Chalcocite

Chalcocite is a dark metallic copper sulfide often formed during supergene enrichment. It can coat veins and vugs in Cyprus’ copper orebodies and is prized by collectors for its sheen.

Covellite

Covellite is a deep indigo metallic copper sulfide that forms thin coatings or small crystals in oxidized copper zones. It’s a striking but relatively rare mineral in Cypriot deposits.

Malachite

Malachite is a bright green, banded copper carbonate that forms botryoidal crusts and masses near old copper workings. It’s one of the island’s most attractive and recognizable copper minerals.

Azurite

Azurite is a deep blue copper carbonate often associated with malachite. In Cyprus it appears in oxidized vein zones and is prized for its rich colour and crystal forms.

Cuprite

Cuprite is a red to dark-red copper oxide that forms gemmy crystals or earthy masses in oxidized parts of Cyprus copper deposits. Its deep red color makes it notable for collectors.

Tenorite

Tenorite is a black copper oxide formed in highly oxidized zones. It occurs sparingly in Cyprus above copper sulfide bodies and adds contrast to colorful oxide assemblages.

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a blue-green hydrated copper silicate that forms botryoidal crusts and soft masses. It commonly stains host rock in Cyprus and appeals to lapidaries and collectors.

Brochantite

Brochantite is a green copper sulfate hydroxide that forms acicular crystals and encrustations in old mine oxidized zones. It’s a distinctive secondary mineral in Cyprus copper gossans.

Cerussite

Cerussite is a colorless to white lead carbonate that forms scaly crystals and lustrous masses in oxidized lead-bearing veins. In Cyprus it appears near galena-rich lenses and oxidized zones.

Anglesite

Anglesite is a translucent to white lead sulfate that replaces galena in oxidized ore. It forms prismatic crystals and is found in Cyprus’ lead-bearing parts of VMS deposits.

Magnetite

Magnetite is an iron oxide common in Troodos gabbros and altered zones. It forms black metallic crystals and is a key magnetic mineral in the ophiolite’s igneous rocks.

Ilmenite

Ilmenite occurs as black oxide grains in Troodos igneous rocks and layered intrusions. It’s an important titanium ore mineral and commonly seen in mafic rock assemblages.

Chromite

Chromite is a black, dense spinel-group mineral concentrated in peridotite bodies of the Troodos ophiolite. It’s the principal chromium mineral and occurs in podiform chromitites across the island.

Forsterite

Forsterite-rich olivine is abundant in Cyprus peridotites and dunites. It forms greenish grains in mantle-derived rocks and is a primary mineral in the ophiolite sequence.

Enstatite

Enstatite is a bronze to brown pyroxene occurring in Troodos peridotites and gabbros. It’s a major rock-forming mineral telling the igneous origins of the massif.

Augite

Augite is a dark green-brown pyroxene found in Troodos basalts and gabbros. It appears as blocky crystals in igneous rocks and is typical of the island’s volcanic suite.

Labradorite

Labradorite is a common feldspar in Troodos igneous rocks, often showing faint iridescence. It forms light-colored, blocky crystals and is a dominant component of gabbros and basalts.

Antigorite

Antigorite is a platy serpentine mineral forming green to dark foliated masses in Cyprus serpentinites. It’s typical of hydrothermally altered mantle rocks and large serpentinite bodies.

Lizardite

Lizardite occurs as fine-grained green to waxy masses in Cyprus serpentinites. It forms as an alteration product of olivine and pyroxene in the ophiolite.

Chrysotile

Chrysotile is the fibrous serpentine mineral historically mined at Amiantos. It forms silky fibers in serpentinite and was an important industrial mineral in Cyprus’ past.

Brucite

Brucite forms soft white to grey masses in serpentinites and nearby alteration zones. In Cyprus it’s associated with serpentinization and seen in outcrops of altered peridotite.

Talc

Talc forms greasy, soft masses and is found where ultramafic rocks have been altered. In Cyprus talc occurs locally in altered zones and is used as an indicator of strong metasomatism.

Prehnite

Prehnite forms pale green botryoidal or crystalline masses in cavities and veins across Troodos. It’s a classic low-temperature hydrothermal mineral in the island’s altered volcanic rocks.

Epidote

Epidote is a pistachio-green silicate that forms prismatic crystals and granular masses in altered Troodos rocks. It frequently accompanies prehnite and chlorite, marking hydrothermal alteration.

Chlorite

Chlorite is a green, flaky mineral common in greenschist facies alteration across Troodos. It forms in sheared and hydrothermally altered rocks and gives much green coloration to outcrops.

Actinolite

Actinolite is a green amphibole forming fibrous or bladed crystals in metamorphosed and altered volcanic rocks. It’s seen in metasomatic zones and adds to the island’s mineral diversity.

Quartz

Quartz is ubiquitous in Cyprus’ veins and hydrothermal cavities. It forms colorless to smoky crystals and fills fissures in gabbros, lavas and mineralized zones.

Calcite

Calcite is a common carbonate forming rhombs, massive fillings, and cave deposits across Cyprus. It’s a frequent gangue mineral in veins and skarn-like alteration zones.

Dolomite

Dolomite occurs in Cyprus’ sedimentary sequences and as recrystallized carbonate in veins. It forms buff to pale crystals and is typical of carbonate terrains on the island.

Gypsum

Gypsum occurs in Cyprus’ sedimentary sequences as white to transparent crystals and beds. It forms in evaporitic environments and as secondary sulfate deposits.

Native copper

Native copper is occasionally reported as small masses or wires in Cyprus’ copper gossans. It’s a historic curiosity tied to the island’s ancient copper production.

Hematite

Hematite forms red-brown earthy or metallic masses in oxidized parts of Cyprus’ deposits. It’s an important indicator of oxidation and iron enrichment in altered rocks.

Marcasite

Marcasite, the brittle pyrite polymorph, occurs in some Cyprus sulfide occurrences as pale brassy crystals. It’s a minor but recognizable sulfide in ore assemblages.

Aragonite

Aragonite is a needle-like carbonate found in caves and some hydrothermal settings in Cyprus. It forms attractive radiating crystals and delicate cave speleothems.

Analcime

Analcime is a white to pink zeolite that fills cavities in Troodos pillow lavas. It forms trapezohedral crystals and is a characteristic zeolite of altered basaltic rocks.

Stilbite

Stilbite forms sheaf-like pink to white crystals in hydrothermal cavities. It’s a familiar zeolite for collectors exploring Troodos lava-hosted vugs.

Natrolite

Natrolite is a fibrous to prismatic zeolite found in the island’s volcanic cavities. It forms slender white crystals and joins other zeolites in classic vug mineral assemblages.

Heulandite

Heulandite occurs in vugs and amygdales in Troodos lavas as tabular crystals. It’s part of Cyprus’ diverse zeolite suite and shows soft pearly luster.

Pumpellyite

Pumpellyite forms platy or fibrous masses in low-grade metamorphic zones of the Troodos. It indicates burial and hydrothermal alteration typical of the massif’s metamorphic history.

Chalcanthite

Chalcanthite is a bright blue, water-soluble copper sulfate forming efflorescences in oxidized mine areas. It’s transient but eye-catching, found on weathered rock surfaces.

Muscovite

Muscovite mica appears as shiny silvery flakes in altered and metamorphosed rocks across Cyprus. It’s a familiar component of country rocks affected by hydrothermal systems.

Biotite

Biotite is a dark brown to black mica occurring in Troodos gabbros and altered country rocks. It forms flaky crystals and marks magmatic and metamorphic processes.

Rutile

Rutile occurs as reddish-brown prismatic crystals or heavy sand concentrates derived from Troodos rocks. It’s a minor but globally recognized accessory mineral.

Wollastonite

Wollastonite forms white bladed crystals at contacts between igneous intrusions and carbonate rocks. In Cyprus it appears where Troodos activity metasomatized local limestones.

Minerals in Other Countries