mineral
Copper
Native Copper (Cu)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectMohs hardness of 2.5 to 3, distinctive reddish-orange color with a metallic luster, cubic crystal system, and no cleavage with hackly fracture.
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Physical properties
Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3, distinctive reddish-orange color with a metallic luster, cubic crystal system, and no cleavage with hackly fracture.
Formation & geological history
Forms in hydrothermal veins, basalt cavities, and oxidized zones of copper deposits through reduction processes over millions of years.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in electrical wiring, plumbing, industrial machinery, and crafted into jewelry or decorative art pieces.
Geological facts
Native copper was one of the earliest metals worked by humans, marking the transition from the Stone Age to the Copper Age.
Field identification & locations
Easily identified by its characteristic bright copper-red color and high malleability, commonly found in regions like Michigan, USA, and Chile.
