# Copper > [!material-gem] Material Details > | | | > |---|---| > | **Aliases/Varieties** | Native Copper. | > | **Category** | Gemstone | > | **Color(s)** | Reddish-orange | > | **Cost** | —— | > | **Environment/Habitat** | —— | > | **Profession(s)** | [[Alchemist]], [[Jewelcrafter]], [[Tinkerer]] | > | **Qualities** | - Alchemical<br>- Healing<br>- Ornamental<br>- Protective | > | **Rarity** | —— | > | **Size** | —— | > | **Weight** | —— | > [!material-gem] Specifications > | | | > |---|---| > | **Crystal System** | Cubic | > | **Formations** | Native metal or in ores | > | **Formula** | Cu | > | **Hardness** | 3.0 (Mohs) | > | **Mineral Class** | Elemental metal | > | **Primary Components** | copper | > | **Refractive Index** | —— | --- ## Description An orange, highly ductile metal used in architecture, decorative arts, and medicine. Magically, it brings love and sexual attraction, heals, and conducts magical energy. ### Physical Description A common elemental metal in a characteristic warm, reddish-orange color, highly ductile and soft. Copper and its alloys develop a blue-green patina called verdigris, responsible for the greenish color of old copper statues, roofs, etc. --- ## Occurrence Copper is one of the few metals occurring in nature in its usable metallic form, mostly in igneous rocks, such as basaltic lavas, and in sedimentary rocks. It is also found in ashes of some seaweeds, in sea corals, mollusks, arthropods, and the human liver. ### Extraction & Preparation Natural copper is sometimes found in ready to use nuggets, yet the majority is extracted in open pit mines and smelted from copper-rich ores, such as chalcocite, bornite, cuprite, malachite, and azurite. The metal is used on its own or in alloys (see Brass on p. 72 and Bronze on p. 74.) --- ## Properties ### Decorative Properties Ductile and easy to work with, copper is one of the favorite metals of the ornamental arts, both on its own and in alloys. Jewelry made of copper is a cheap alternative to more precious metals, sometimes elevated by gilding or plating. Copperplate engravings, figurines, bracelets, vessels, pendants, necklaces, and other ornaments are popular among all cultures and social strata. Additionally, blue and green copper-based pigments are used by artists worldwide, with verdigris being the most favored. ### Industrial Properties Copper is used as a building material in the form of roofing, sheets, pipes, wires, etc. It conducts heat and electricity extremely well and finds endless uses in various industries, such as plumbing, wood preservation, marine engineering, and coin minting. ### Magical Properties Connected to love and attraction, copper creates and strengthens bonds between partners with its warm color and great heat conductivity. It is a traditionally offered during courtship and handfasting ceremonies, sometimes alloyed or plated with gold. As an excellent conductor of energy, copper makes great wands, staves, and crystal settings—in this regard it is second only to silver. It is especially suited for healing, prosperity, and illusion magic. Covered with patina, it creates a strong connection to the sea and marine animals. A verdigris paste allows breathing underwater, but should never be ingested. In alchemy, copper is one of the easiest metals to work with, as it melts at a relatively low temperature and is malleable enough to be transmuted into more valuable metals or a near-perfect forgery of gold. This application is common enough to give forgers a nickname of "copperheads" and cast aspersions of falsehood on beings with copper-colored hair, eyes, scales, or feathers. ### Medicinal Properties Copper has strong antimicrobial properties and prevents biofouling. It is biostatic; bacteria and many other forms of life will not grow on it. As such, it is used in medical settings to coat door handles, handrails, and other commonly used surfaces. Copper compounds are toxic but not absorbed through the skin.