Copper

Cu

Add one script tag to your page:

<div data-mineralfyi="entity" data-slug="copper"></div>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/mineralfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>

Embed as an iframe:

<iframe src="https://mineralfyi.com/iframe/entity/copper/?style=modern&theme=light" width="420" height="400" frameborder="0" loading="lazy" style="border:0;border-radius:10px;max-width:100%"></iframe>

Paste the URL in WordPress, Medium, or Ghost:

https://mineralfyi.com/mineral/copper/

Shields.io-compatible SVG badge:

Copper badge ![Copper](https://mineralfyi.com/badge/entity/copper.svg)

Web Component:

<mineralfyi-entity slug="copper"></mineralfyi-entity>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/mineralfyi-embed@1/dist/embed.min.js" defer></script>

Among the first metals worked by humans, native copper appears in artifacts dating back more than ten thousand years. It is a native element with a copper-red color that tarnishes to brown or green, crystallizing in the cubic system and forming dendritic, massive, or wire-like habits. The metal shows a metallic luster, a copper-red streak, no cleavage, and a hackly fracture; its Mohs hardness is 2.5 to 3 and its specific gravity 8.90. Native copper occurs in basaltic lava flows and sandstone deposits, and the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan yielded enormous masses of the pure metal. Its softness, malleability, and hackly fracture reflect the ductile behavior typical of the native metals.

Native copper was one of the first metals used by humans, with artifacts dating back over 10,000 years. It occurs in basaltic lava flows and sandstone deposits. The Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan produced enormous masses of native copper.

Crystal System Cubic (Isometric)
Mineral Class 01 Native Elements
Mohs Hardness 2.5-3.0
Specific Gravity 8.90
Color Copper-red, tarnishes to brown/green
Luster Metallic
Streak Copper-red
Cleavage None
Fracture Hackly
Transparency Opaque
Crystal Habit Dendritic, massive, wire-like

Mohs Hardness

Mohs Hardness: 2.5 – 3.0
1 Soft10 Hard
Copper has a Mohs hardness of 2.5–3 on the 1–10 mineral hardness scale.
Mohs Hardness Reference Mineral
1 Talc
2 Gypsum
3 Calcite
4 Fluorite
5 Apatite
6 Orthoclase
7 Quartz
8 Topaz
9 Corundum
10 Diamond

Crystal System

Cubic (Isometric)
Copper crystallizes in the Cubic (Isometric) crystal system.
Property Value
Crystal System Cubic (Isometric)
Axial Relationships a = b = c, α = β = γ = 90°

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hardness of Copper?
Copper has a Mohs hardness of 2.5-3.0.
What crystal system does Copper belong to?
Copper crystallizes in the Cubic (Isometric) crystal system.
What color is Copper?
Copper is typically Copper-red, tarnishes to brown/green.
What type of luster does Copper have?
Copper exhibits a Metallic luster.
What is the chemical formula of Copper?
The chemical formula of Copper is Cu.