Known to the ancients. Pure copper occurs rarely in nature. Copper is obtained by smelting, leaching and by electrolysis. Its alloys are used in jewelry, bronze sculptures and for coins. The skin of the Statue of Liberty is made of copper.
Copper is a very interesting element.
It is one of the transition elements that actually uses electrons from one of the inner orbitals in chemical reactions. In addition, it has more than one oxidation state. Like many of the transition elements, copper has a colored ion. Copper typically forms a bluish green solution. Copper was one of the earliest known metals, having reportedly been mined for over 5000 years.