Do all copper crystals (gems) react to HCl?

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I know native copper does not react to HCI but does react to nitric acid. I’m writing science fiction and I’m trying to create a metallic (non-magnetic) crystal that behaves like calcium but does not react like calcium.
The only solution is to write about something that is copper based. If all copper crystals do react to HCI then it would make this writing process easier so I can make stuff up beyond this point.

I got a C- in high school chemistry. I’m very out of my comfort zone

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4 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Raw copper reacts with hcl. I use 50% hcl to etch circuit patterns in homemade pcbs. Usually takes about 45 seconds for 1oz copper boards. Lil longer for 2oz but I have to watch it closely or the fine traces I’m trying to produce will be totally dissolved.

Most folks use 5-10% hcl over a half hour or more, I’m just impatient.

Edit: I totally forgot that pure copper and pure hcl reacts very very slowly (days). Oxygen in water mixed with hcl, or better yet hydrogen peroxide speeds up the reaction drastically (seconds).

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