Mineral

Native Copper within Host Rock

Native Copper (Cu)

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Copper-red to dull brown/green (oxidized); Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 8.9

Hardness: 2
Color: Copper-red to dull brown/green (oxidized)
Luster: Metallic

Identified March 1, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Copper-red to dull brown/green (oxidized); Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 8.9

Formation & geological history

Formed in the cavities of basaltic lavas or by the chemical reaction of copper-bearing solutions with iron oxides. Most are found in Keweenawan age (1.1 billion years) basalt and sedimentary rocks.

Uses & applications

Major historical source of copper for tools and wiring. Today, specimens are primarily for mineral collecting, jewelry, and educational displays.

Geological facts

Native copper is one of the few elements that occur in nature in uncombined form. The largest mass ever found weighed 427 tons and was discovered in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

Field identification & locations

Identify by its heavy weight (high density), copper-red streak, and extreme malleability (it bends rather than breaks). Commonly found in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Arizona, and the Ural Mountains.