# Native Copper

Native copper is a special mineral that can be found in nature. It has a shiny, reddish color and is often used to make beautiful jewelry and decorations.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Rare
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Also known as:** Copper

![Native Copper](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Copper-21991.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Copper-21991.jpg)

## Appearance

The Native Copper is a shiny, reddish-brown metal that can tarnish to dark brown or black. It often develops a distinctive green coating called a patina. Its unique metallic luster and color make it stand out from other minerals.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- It can develop a beautiful blue-green patina, like on the Statue of Liberty!
- Native Copper feels cool to touch because it conducts heat away super fast!
- Native Copper is one of few metals found naturally pure on Earth, ready to use!
- Some Native Copper specimens are truly massive, weighing many tons underground. Wow!

## Special abilities

- **Super Conductor:** Native Copper has excellent electrical and thermal conductivity that makes it perfect for wiring and electronics.
- **Shapeshifter Metal:** Native Copper is super malleable and ductile, meaning it can be easily shaped or stretched into wires.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** copper-red, brown, black, green
- **Hardness:** 2.5
- **Luster:** metallic
- **Specific Gravity:** 8.9
- **Crystal System:** isometric

## Traits

- [Geode](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/geode): A geode is a hollow, spherical rock formation lined with inward-growing crystals or concentric banding, often found in volcanic or sedimentary rocks.
- [Metallic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/metallic): Metallic refers to substances, materials, or objects possessing properties characteristic of metals, such as luster and conductivity.
- [Metallic Luster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/metallic-luster): Metallic luster describes a mineral's appearance when reflecting light, resembling polished metal, often opaque.
- [Ancient](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient): Ancient refers to organisms, objects, or geological formations that have existed for an extremely long period.
- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Native copper is generally safe to handle, but it's best to avoid putting it in your mouth or eyes.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Native Copper?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Native Copper be?

copper-red, brown, black, green

### How hard is Native Copper?

2.5

### What kind of luster does Native Copper have?

metallic

### What is Native Copper's specific gravity?

8.9

### What crystal system does Native Copper belong to?

isometric

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Native Copper: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/native-copper)