Native Copper For Sale

Native copper is the uncombined form of copper and the natural state of the mineral. It often presents as the typical orange-brown color synonymous with copper, either free of matrix or embedded in calcite. Copper is one of only a few metallic elements to occur in native form: it most commonly occurs in an oxidized state or mixed within other minerals. The native state of copper typically presents as a disorganized version of a crystal or mass. That isn’t to say that copper can’t form crystals, it just very rarely does. Copper crystals, though rare, can either be cubic or a modified dodecahedron. Copper has also been found in compressed plates and dendritic branches.

Native copper is relatively rare: most of the world’s copper supply is extracted from other minerals. Native copper has been an important ore of copper throughout history and has a variety of uses both industrially and economically. While copper has significant value in industry, native specimens are also excellent display pieces.

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More About Copper

Copper is an extremely effective electrical conductor, second only to silver, and because of this it is used primarily for wiring for electronics. This mineral is also extremely ductile and pliable, allowing for it to remain usable when rolled into very thin wires. Copper is currently one of the most used elements/minerals in the world, because of its applications in electronics and specifically in mobile devices. As much as 20 million metric tons of copper are mined globally each year.

When copper weathers, it undergoes a process known as tarnishing. The specific coating is referred to as verdigris or patina and is a crust of copper (II) carbonate, formed during a reaction with air. This is what the Statue of Liberty is covered in! Most native copper is extracted with varying degrees of patina on it.

Throughout history, copper has been used by people for a variety of purposes, from coinage to art and weapons. You name it, humans have used copper for it! Copper is used in two important alloys: brass (copper and zinc) and bronze (copper and tin). Each alloy has many important applications. Brass makes for excellent hardware as door handles, due to its antibacterial qualities. Bronze was a key metal that acted as a stepping stone for human technical advancement, introducing mankind to smelting and smithing for the creation of tools and weapons.

Where Is Native Copper Found?

By far the most significant deposit of native copper is found on the Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan. Mines from this location run along the mid-continent rift and extract the most native copper by volume and some of the highest quality collector specimens. Arizona also has some of the most abundant native copper. These specimens are of premium quality and it is unsurprising that some of the finest chrysocolla and azurite comes from these mines as well. Australia, China, and British Columbia also have significant deposits, though nowhere as large or of the same quality as Michigan or Arizona.

How Does Native Copper Form?

Native Copper is most commonly found in areas that have large concentrations of volcanic basalt. Other locations with high quantities are areas of hydrothermal replacement and/or oxidation zones. One trend that tends to hold true is that most significant formations of native copper occur near sulfide deposits. Geologists speculate that the rich abundance of native copper on the Keweenaw Peninsula is linked to high sulfide concentrations that may have percolated from magmatic activity in the Earth’s upper mantle.

Common Associations

A few notable associations are secondary copper minerals that form in oxidation zones above copper deposits. These commonly include malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla. Native copper is also often found with matrices of calcite or quartz, which is unsurprising given that these are two of the most common minerals on Earth. Cuprite (copper oxide) is also a common associate of copper in its natural state.

The most unexpected of copper’s associates is actually silver! Silver is relatively hard to come by, but it is known to form in areas where copper has also formed, also potentially linked to sulfides.

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Natural, Native Copper - Ajo, Arizona #126886

More About Copper

Where Is Native Copper Found?

How Does Native Copper Form?

Common Associations

Featured Photos