Sample of chalcopyrite in quartz. Chalcopyrite consists of the chemical elements copper, iron and sulphur. These elements and their oxides give the surface of the mineral an iridescent sheen. It is an important source of copper and iron. This very common mineral is one of the most important copper ores, yielding the by-products gold and silver. About 80 percent of the world's copper is derived from treatment of chalcopyrite ore.