NATIVE COPPER

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This dense small cabinet specimen is from one of Cornwall's most famous mineral-producing mines - Wheal Gorland, near St. Day. The reason it is dense is that it is almost pure copp er metal. Dominated by extremely well-crystallized Native Copper, its colour is imparted by surface coatings and oxidation to Cuprite (copper oxide). Under magnification it can be seen that the Native Copper forms sharp pointed crystals intergrown as branching aggregates. The Cuprite forms tiny sparking purplish microcrystals on the surface and replacing the Native Copper, and dull red coatings too. A small piece of white Quartz provides a nice colour contrast upon which the florette-like aggregates of Native Copper grow upwards. Show more