This polished copper slab is cut from naturally occurring native copper, a metallic element found in pure form in the Earth's crust. Native copper is one of the few metals that occur in a usable form without smelting and has been used by humans for over 10,000 years. This specimen showcases copper's natural luster, reddish-orange color, and metallic conductivity. Each specimen is unique and varies in color, shape, and pattern.
Features:
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Composition: Pure elemental copper (Cu), an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, with a characteristic metallic sheen and malleability.
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Formation: Native copper forms in basaltic lava flows, hydrothermal veins, and sedimentary rocks, often associated with minerals like malachite, azurite, and calcite. It is commonly found in areas like Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula and parts of Arizona.
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Physical Properties: Copper is dense, ductile, and corrosion-resistant, and its reddish surface may naturally develop a green patina (copper carbonate) over time when exposed to air and moisture.
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Educational Value: A valuable teaching tool for understanding native elements, metallic bonding, mineral identification, and the early history of metallurgy.
This copper slab is ideal for geology classrooms, mineral collectors, or display as a natural example of a pure metallic element.
