Collection: Native copper

Native copper is a naturally occurring form of metallic copper (chemical symbol: Cu ) found directly in the Earth's crust, without being combined with other elements in minerals as is the case with most metals.

🔬 Characteristics of native copper

• Chemical formula : Cu

• Color : Coppery red to reddish brown (sometimes tarnishing green or black over time)

• Shine : Metallic

• Hardness (Mohs scale) : 2.5 to 3

• Density : Approx. 8.9 g/cm³

• Crystal system : Cubic (isometric), often in dendritic form or in irregular masses

🌍 Origin and training

Native copper forms in the oxidation zones of sulfide copper deposits , where geochemical conditions allow copper to precipitate directly in metallic form. It is found in particular in:

• Low-temperature hydrothermal veins

• Volcanic or sedimentary areas

• Secondary copper deposits, sometimes in desert environments

🧭 Main deposits

• United States : Great Lakes Region (Michigan) — one of the most famous deposits

• Chile , Mexico , Russia , Democratic Republic of Congo

• Europe : some occurrences in Germany, Finland, and France (very rare)

🛠️ Historical and modern uses

• Antiquity : Native copper is one of the first metals used by humans (Copper Age, around 5000 BC)

  • Tools, jewelry, weapons, ritual objects

• Today : Native copper is rarely mined directly, but it has historical, mineralogical, and collectible value.

• It is also used in the manufacture of collectible coins and in museums as an example of native metal

🧪 Differences with copper ores

Native copper is metallic and uncombined , whereas most copper mined today comes from ores such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂), bornite (Cu₅FeS₄), or malachite (Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂) .