Copper Ore

Rock

by Tim Matthews
Published: June 2014
Modified: August 2021
Copper Ore Rough Copper Ore Jewelry

Many minerals are copper ores, meaning they contain copper that could actually be extracted. Copper weathering is often involved in the unique coloration of specimens. Popular minerals that fall in this category include azurite, malachite and chrysocolla.

General Information

Common Name
Copper Ore
Species
Rock
Transparency
Opaque
Optic Character
NA
Optic Sign
NA
Fluorescence
SWUV: none
LWUV: none
Pleochroism
None
Hardness
2.5-3
Streak
Copper-Red
Specific Gravity
8.940-8.950
Luster
Metallic
Fracture
Hackly
Cleavage
None
Chemical Name
Copper
Chemical Formula
Cu
Crystal System
Cubic
Chemistry Classification
Native Element

Copper Ore Colors

  • Green Copper Ore
    Green
  • Orange Copper Ore
    Orange

Countries of Origin

Canada; United States of America (the); Unknown; Uruguay; Namibia; Australia

Care

Copper will oxidize and tarnish to green or black.