Collection: Native copper

Copper is, along with gold, one of the first metals prospected due to its natural native state which is very easily usable. It may even be the first metal that man used. Native copper is a metallic mineral. It is an element composed of a single chemical element.

It is also nicknamed “red metal” . However, native copper is more of a pale pink color than red. Exposed to the open air, copper tarnishes and darkens. An oxidized layer is deposited on it in various colors, such as black, green, blue, brown, etc.

During archaeological excavations, copper objects were discovered, dating back more than 9,000 BC. The Copper Age followed that of the Neolithic and is between 3,000 and 2,000 BC, preceding the Bronze Age (an alloy of copper and tin) ranging from 2,500 to 600 BC.

Archaeological evidence shows that it was the Mesopotamians (6,000 to 5,000 BC) who were able to fully exploit copper. Later, copper would be mixed with tin to make stronger tools or weapons. This is the beginning of the Bronze Age.

Pure native copper is a soft metal, which makes it too fragile in the manufacture of weapons and tools. The Mesopotamians solved this problem by creating bronze. Copper will be used extensively in the manufacture of jewelry, coins, vases, glasses, saucers, containers.

The name copper comes from the Latin cyprium and the Greek cyrpios. It comes from the island of Cyprus, where the Romans extracted copper in large quantities. In ancient mythology, this metal was intended for the goddess Aphrodite (Venus for the Romans) because of its beauty. During the Byzantine era, copper was called “chalkos”, a root found in chalcopyrite and chalcosine (minerals containing copper).

The discovery of the mummy of Otzi (3,300 BC) proves that copper was used to make tools because this hunter carried a copper axe. At the same time, the Mesopotamians extracted copper from Lake Van, located in present-day Armenia, and used it to make pots, trays, drinking vessels and saucers.

In Egypt, the use of copper was also growing. A water pipeline was even discovered in the temple of King Sa'u-Re dating back to 2,750 BC. It had a diameter of 75 mm and a length of 100 m. The Egyptians also made mirrors, razors, instruments, weights, scales, etc. Around 1,500 BC, they used it as medicinal remedies to treat headaches, burns and pruritus, i.e. itchy skin.

Around 400 BC, Hippocrates decided to use copper to treat varicose ulcers.

Between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC, the Romans minted their coins from copper.

Native copper has therefore been used for millennia, but it was only identified in 1190, when it was cited in the work of Gautier d'Arras.

It should be noted that it was the invention of gunpowder that made copper very popular. During the Renaissance, its properties were identified and contributed to the invention of scientific instruments such as the balance, the compass or parts for boats. Thus, Christopher Columbus' ships had their hulls lined with copper, because of its qualities against corrosion.

Finally, at the beginning of the 20th century, the development of electricity, construction and industry increased the use of copper. It is widely used in electrical wiring, plumbing, etc.

The main deposits are found in South Africa, China, Russia, Australia, Germany, Canada, United States (Michigan) and in France.

In Lithotherapy, native copper is particularly recommended for people in a state of intense exhaustion. It is excellent for those who have difficulty starting their day, who feel permanent fatigue. It gives motivation to keep moving forward.

Wearing a native copper encourages exchanges between people, whether on a personal or professional level. It frees speech and allows you to express yourself clearly. It encourages listening to others, promotes empathy and compassion.

Native copper encourages deep love, causes balance between emotions and mind. It creates beautiful harmony between people and restores a sense of justice.

It helps achieve goals while developing creativity and intuition. It gives importance to ideas and reasoning, pushes them to be realized.

It is a powerful tool for meditation, it brings a lot of concentration. It has the ability to calm agitated people. It can thus allow them to have quality and restorative sleep.