mineral

Native Copper

Native Copper (Cu)

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Copper-red to reddish-brown, often with a green or black tarnish; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 8.94

Hardness: 2
Luster: Metallic

Identified March 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Copper-red to reddish-brown, often with a green or black tarnish; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 8.94

Formation & geological history

Formed as a primary mineral from hydrothermal solutions, often in the cavities of basaltic lavas or as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of copper deposits. Significant deposits date back to the Proterozoic Era (approx. 1.1 billion years ago).

Uses & applications

Essential in electronics and electrical wiring due to conductivity. Used in plumbing, coinage, architecture, and increasingly popular as a display mineral for collectors.

Geological facts

Copper was the first metal ever manipulated by humans. The largest single mass of native copper ever found weighed 427 tones and was discovered in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct metallic copper-red color, high density (heavy for its size), and malleability (it can be flattened with a hammer rather than shattering). Common locations include Michigan (USA), Arizona (USA), Chile, and the specimen in the photo appears to be from a Moroccan source based on the partially visible label.