Native Copper
Native Copper (unalloyed elemental copper) · Mineral Specimen / Industrial Mineral
Crystal System
Cubic (Isometric); usually occurs as massive, branching arborescent, or distorted dodecahedrons/cubes.
Mineral Group
Native Elements
Chemical Formula
Cu (pure elemental copper, possibly with trace inclusions of Ag, Fe, or Bi)
Formation Process
Hydrothermal deposition from low-temperature solutions filling cavities (vesicles) in basaltic rock or as a secondary mineral in oxidation zones.
About This Crystal
An opaque specimen with a distinctive reddish-orange metallic luster on fresh surfaces, which weathers to a dull brownish or dark greyish-red. It displays a rough, irregular texture with hackly surfaces and occasional small pits.
Physical Characteristics
Color: Copper-red to brown; Streak: Rose-red/metallic; Cleavage: None; Fracture: Hackly; Specific Gravity: 8.93-8.95; Tenacity: Malleable and ductile; Non-fluorescent.
Optical Properties
Opaque (not transparent); Metallic luster; Very high reflectivity; No birefringence or refraction observable due to opacity.
Hardness & Durability
Origin Region
Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, USA; Arizona, USA; Corocoro, Bolivia; Ural Mountains, Russia. Found in basaltic lavas or sedimentary beds.
Hardness & Durability
Mohs hardness: 2.5 to 3. Low durability; soft and easily scratched. Highly malleable, meaning it bends rather than breaks.
Care & Maintenance
Keep dry to prevent oxidation (patina development). Clean with soft cloth; avoid acids or harsh chemicals. Store away from harder minerals to prevent scratching.
Rarity & Value
Relatively common but large crystallized specimens are highly valued by collectors. Price varies by size and formation aesthetic; copper is often priced by weight/purity for industrial use.
Special Characteristics
Highly conductive (electricity and heat); Malleable (can be flattened with a hammer without crumbling); Often associated with green malachite or blue azurite as secondary minerals.
Lore & History
Used by humans for over 10,000 years; the first metal ever worked by humans. Historically linked to the planet Venus. Traditionally believed to amplify energy and promote circulation.