Native Copper
Image: Native_Copper_Macro_Digon3.jpg: “Jonathan Zander (Digon3)" derivative work: Materialscientist (talk) (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Mineral NameNative Copper
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
Mineral GroupNative Elements
Useselectrical wiring, plumbing, coinage, alloys, collector
Associated Mineralscuprite, malachite, azurite, calcite, epidote, silver
Rarityuncommon
Description
This specimen of native copper displays a bright, reddish-orange metallic luster with some darker tarnished areas, forming an intricate, branching dendritic or arborescent structure.
Geological Context
Native copper commonly forms in the oxidized zones of copper sulfide deposits, in basaltic lavas where it precipitates from hydrothermal fluids, or as a primary mineral in some sedimentary environments.
