Copper Nugget (1) Raw Minerals Stones Rocks Collecting

Description

Origin : Michigan (U.S.A.)

Copper nugget 5-9 gr - cm 1-2.5 Raw Minerals Stones Rocks for Collection.
Also available in Native Copper form, at this link.

Copper is a transition chemical element with atomic number 29 and its symbol is Cu. It is also called "red gold" due to its coloring. In all likelihood, copper is the metal that mankind has been using the longest. Copper is almost always found in the form of minerals and much more rarely in its native state in the form of Nuggets. The minerals are based on sulphides such as chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), bornite (Cu5FeS4), chalcocite (Cu2S) and covellite (CuS); or of oxides such as cuprite and chrysocolla, or even of carbonates such as malachite and azurite.
Copper is a ductile metal with excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. Metallic copper is the second best conductor of electricity after silver, followed by gold. Pure copper is a fairly soft metal and has a pinkish or peach color. It is an essential trace nutrient for all plant and animal life. In animals, including humans, it is found primarily in the bloodstream, as a cofactor in various enzymes and copper-based pigments.
The main mines, mostly open-air, are located along the Andes and the Rocky Mountains: the main mining countries are Chile, Peru, China, Congo and the United States. Italy is not a country rich in copper, despite the mines, all medium-small, were present throughout the territory of the state. Usually in these quarries the copper was in fine veins, and the minerals extracted did not contain much copper.
Copper is now a rare metal as it is used in various forms for industry and various wiring, its function as an energy transmitter makes it highly sought after to make it uncommon.
Copper Nuggets mostly come from the so-called "Copper Country" of Michigan, where copper is found in an unusually pure state. Nuggets like these were unearthed many thousands of years ago by glacial action. These native copper nuggets have natural shapes in its mined find, they have been cleared of excess rock and other minerals, polished and coated to prevent discoloration. These small heavy pieces of pure metal make great gifts for children or a nice addition to a mineral collection.
Copper nugget is also used to make copper ingots.