mineral

Native Copper in Basalt

Hardness: 2.5 - 3 on the Mohs scale, Color: Distinctive bright metallic copper-red on fresh surfaces, often weathering to green (malachite/azurite), Luster: Metallic, Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic), Specific Gravity: 8.9

Hardness: 2

Identified August 2, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal precipitation or reduction processes, where copper-rich fluids deposit native copper into vesicles and fractures of basaltic host rocks, often associated with ancient volcanic activity (Precambrian to Keweenawan era).

Uses & applications

Primary ore of copper, electrical wiring, plumbing, manufacturing, and prized by mineral collectors.

Geological facts

Large deposits of native copper, such as those in the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan, were historically mined by Indigenous peoples thousands of years before European settlement.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its unique metallic copper-red color and high density. Look for basalt or greenstone matrix dotted or veined with metallic copper flakes.