Great South Gems & Minerals

• Large native copper specimen•
(Michigan) 

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• Large native copper specimen•
(Michigan) 

copper specimen - metal Copper - native copper

Large native copper specimen from Michigan. I think these huge copper pieces were actually poured into these shapes. The pieces vary slightly in shape and size, but the average weight is two pounds. Great looking copper specimens. Will make a great paper weight. The specimens have a very thin coat of a clear acrylic to prevent them tarnishing.

The metal Copper has been used for literally thousands of years Copper was known to some of the oldest civvilizations on record, and has a history of use dating back at least 10,000 years. In what is now northern Iraq, a copper pendant was found that dates to 8700 BC to 5000 BC. Copper smelting appears to have developed in a number of places in the ancient world at about the same time, possibly because of it being a simple process.

In the Americas, copper is known to have been mined in what is now Michigan and Wisconsin by Native Americans as far back as 6000 BC. Copper has been mined in many areas of the United States including Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Utah, Nevada, Tennessee, Vermont, and Montana. See "Float Copper".

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Over the centuries, copper has been used for many purposes including the making of idols, the making of tools, mirrors, burial containers, jewelry, helmets, beads and even copper plumbing in a pyramid that dates back to about 3000 BC.

Copper has a high thermal and electrical conductivity, second only to silver among pure metals. Copper is malleable and ductile, a good conductor of heat and, when very pure, a good conductor of electricity.

Today, copper is used extensively in many products, some of which are: Copper wiring, Electronics, Printed Circuit boards, Vacuum tubes, Cook ware, Coins, Copper doorknobs, copper tubing in air-conditioning systems, nails, magnetrons in microwave ovens, and for copper tubing used in homes and automobiles. In the U. S. Nickles are 75.0% copper by weight and only 25% nickle.
See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copper

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