mineral

Native Copper

Copper (Cu)

Mohs hardness: 2.5 to 3, Color: Copper-red, reddish-brown, often with a green tarnish (patina), Luster: Metallic, Crystal system: Isometric, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 8.9

Hardness: 2

Identified August 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Mohs hardness: 2.5 to 3, Color: Copper-red, reddish-brown, often with a green tarnish (patina), Luster: Metallic, Crystal system: Isometric, Cleavage: None, Specific gravity: 8.9

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins, as secondary deposits in basaltic lava cavities, and through the oxidation of copper sulfide deposits.

Uses & applications

Electrical wiring, plumbing, coinage, industrial machinery, and decorative or collector items.

Geological facts

Native copper was one of the first metals used by humans, marking the beginning of the Chalcolithic (Copper Age) around 5,000 years ago.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its distinctive reddish-copper color, high density, and malleability. Found worldwide, with major deposits in Michigan (USA), Chile, and the Ural Mountains.