mineral

Native Copper

Native Copper (Cu)

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Copper-red to reddish-brown; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 8.94

Hardness: 2
Color: Copper-red to reddish-brown
Luster: Metallic

Identified July 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 2.5–3 on Mohs scale; Color: Copper-red to reddish-brown; Luster: Metallic; Crystal Structure: Isometric (cubic); Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 8.94

Formation & geological history

Formed as a primary mineral from hydrothermal solutions in volcanic rocks (basalts) or as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zones of copper ore deposits. Many famous deposits are over 1 billion years old.

Uses & applications

Historical currency, electrical wiring, plumbing, jewelry making, and highly valued as mineral specimens for collectors.

Geological facts

Copper was the first metal to be worked by humans (starting around 8,000 BCE). The largest single mass of native copper ever found weighed 427 tons and was discovered in Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its high density, malleability (it bends rather than breaks), and distinctive red-orange metallic color. Commonly found in the Lake Superior region (USA), Chile, and Kazakhstan.