Copper
Image: “Jon Zander (Digon3)" (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameCopper
Chemical FormulaCu
Mohs Hardness2.5
Crystal Systemcubic
Lustermetallic
Streak Colorcopper-red
Cleavagenone
Fracturehackly
Specific Gravity8.9
Colorscopper-red, brown, green
Transparencyopaque
Type LocalityKeweenaw Peninsula (Michigan, USA), Bolivia, Russia, Australia, Chile
Mineral GroupNative Elements
Useselectrical conductor, coinage, plumbing, jewelry, collector
Associated Mineralscuprite, malachite, azurite, chalcocite, bornite, calcite, epidote, quartz
Rarityuncommon
Description
This image displays a macro view of native copper, characterized by its distinctive reddish-brown metallic luster, often with areas of tarnish or patination. It typically forms in irregular, massive, or dendritic aggregates.
Geological Context
Native copper commonly forms in the oxidized zones of copper sulfide deposits, within basaltic lava flows (filling amygdules), and occasionally in hydrothermal veins. It is a primary ore of copper and is often found alongside other copper-bearing minerals.
