COPPER
 | Sculptured copper from Keweenaw Peninsula, Michigan, USA. (Molten copper at 2200 degrees fahrenheit is poured into straw which is immersed in water resulting in the straw burning away and the new copper form solidifying within the water.) |
 native copper (with malachite) from Bisbee, Arizona | |
It is rare for the metal copper (Cu) to form crystals; when it does, they take the form of cubes, octahedra, or dodecahedra. The usual habits are dendritic and massive. Colour is a key identification feature, and is copper-red or pale rose-red on fresh surfaces. It forms chiefly in the regions where veins containing copper sulphides have been altered. Often found together with the copper ores, Azurite, Malachite and Chrysocolla.
Back of the same specimen, full of malachite.
Hardness: 2 1/2 - 3 Other characteristics.
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native copper (with serpentine) from County Bridge Quarry, Lizard, Cornwall.
native copper and brochanthite, South Brebor Mine, Tavistock, Devon