A Geoscience Digital Image Library
A Geoscience Digital Image Library
| Title | Native copper |
|---|---|
| Description | This sample, 13 cm across, is a thin slab of nearly 100% native copper. The pock marks are imprints of pebbles - the copper was deposited in a seam in a conglomerate. Fresh copper has a shiny metallic luster, but copper easily tarnishes and so this sample is earthy red-brown. In a few places blue-green malachite (copper carbonate hydroxide) can be seen. Copper is one of a small number of elements that exists as a mineral in nearly pure form. Native copper is found throughout the world. Generally, however, it is present in only minor amounts. Large deposits of native copper were once important sources of copper ore, but they are all mined out today. |
| Photographer | Darla Sondrol. 2001-06-25. |
| Collection | University of North Dakota Mineralogy Collection #3183. |
| Key words | copper, native copper |
| Tech details | 798 KB. Hand specimen. Fujifilm FinePix S1Pro digital camera; 60mm AF Nikon micro lens. |
| GeoDIL number | 846 |
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