Copper Nugget

Copper History

Copper in its naturally occurring state was probably the first metal to be used by humans. Neolithic people used copper as a substitute for stone by 8000 B.C. It was first cast by the Egyptians around 4000 B.C., and was alloyed with tin to produce Bronze around 3500 B.C. Copper was associated with the goddess Aphrodite/Venus in mythology and alchemy, owing to its lustrous beauty and its ancient use in producing mirrors. Copper takes its name from the Latin aes Cyprium, meaning “metal of Cyprus,” shortened to cyprium and later corrupted to cuprum.

Although folk lore abounds with stories of how the wearing of copper helps ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis, you might want to order one just because it is a beautiful piece of jewelry. The Keweenaw Peninsula of Michigan has probably the world’s largest concentration of native copper.  Other localities include Bolivia, the Ural Mountains in Russia, England, Australia, Germany, and Arizona.