mineral
Native Copper
Native Copper (Cu)
AI-generated identification · may be incorrectHardness: 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
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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.
