Main index --- Minerals list --- Copper index --- Elements index
Copper
Name:Copper
Derivation:From "cuprum" (Latin) from Cyprus
Formula:Cu
Description: Copper is a beautiful colour, pinky gold. Since it is a metal, it is shiny (metallic lustre) and opaque. It is also quite heavy. Sometimes, you see crystals (see right).
Copper crystal

Copper was probably the first metal used by man. The name comes from Cyprus, as copper was found in that island. Mixed with tin, it makes bronze, an extremely important metal before iron was in general use. The word "bronze" may come from "birinj", which is Persian for copper.

Nowadays, copper is used for water pipes (rather than lead, which is poisonous), and electrical wiring.

'Coppers' was a slang term for old pennies in the UK, since they were made of a copper alloy.

Larger pictures of Copper:

The first two specimens are natural copper.

Copper

This specimen shows a crystal of copper.

Copper

This cut and varnished specimen shows veins of copper.

Copper