MINERALOGY

MINERALOGY

Subject of Geology
specializing the specific
study of Chemistry,
Crystal Structure, and
Physical Properties of
Minerals
MINERAL
CLASSIFICATION


Mineral classificationcan be an organizational
nightmare. With over 3,000 different types of minerals
a system is needed to make sense of them all.
Mineralogists group minerals into families based on
their chemical composition. There are different
grouping systems in use but the Dana system is the
most commonly used. This system was devised by
Professor James Dana of Yale University way back in
1848. The Dana system divides minerals into eight
basic classes. The classes are: native elements,
silicates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, carbonates,
phosphates, and mineraloids.

Mineral Classification

Native ElementsThis is the

category of the pure. Most
minerals are made up of
combinations of chemical
elements. In this group a single
element like the copper shown
here are found in a naturally
pure form.

SilicatesThis is the largest
group of minerals. Silicates
are made from metals
combined with silicon and
oxygen. There are more
silicates than all other
minerals put together.The
mica on the left is a member
of this group.

OxidesOxides form from
the combination of a
metal with oxygen. This
group ranges from dull
ores like bauxite to gems
like rubies and sapphires.
The magnetite pictured to
the left is a member of
this group.

SulfidesSulfides are made of
compounds of sulfur usually
with a metal. They tend to be
heavy and brittle. Several
important metal ores come
from this group like the
pyrite pictured here that is
an iron ore.

Sulfatesare made of
compounds of sulfur
combined with metals and
oxygen. It is a large group of
minerals that tend to be soft,
and translucent like this
barite.

Halidesform from halogen
elements like chlorine,
bromine, fluorine, and iodine
combined with metallic
elements. They are very soft
and easily dissolved in water.
Halite is a well known
example of this group. Its
chemical formula is NaCl or
sodium chloride commonly
known as table salt.

Carbonatesare a group of
minerals made of carbon,
oxygen, and a metallic
element. This calcite known
as calcium carbonate is the
most common of the
carbonate group.

Phosphatesare not as
common in occurrence as the
other families of minerals.
They are often formed when
other minerals are broken
down by weathering. They
are often brightly colored.

Mineraloidis the term used
for those substances that do
not fit neatly into one of
these eight classes. Opal, jet,
amber, and mother of pearl
all belong to the mineraloids.
MINERAL
PROPERTIES


The Physicalproperties
of mineralsare used by
Mineralogists to help
determine the identity of
a specimen.
 Color - Most minerals have a distinctive color
that can be used for identification.

Streak - Streak is the color of the mineral in
powdered form. Streak shows the true color of
the mineral.

Hardness - Hardness is one of the better

properties of minerals to use for identifying a
mineral. Hardness is a measure of the
minerals resistance to scratching.
 Cleavage & Fracture

Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to
break along smooth surfaces.

Fracture describes the quality of the cleavage

surface.
 Crystalline Structure
Mineral crystals occur in various shapes and sizes.

The particular shape is determined by the
arrangement of the atoms, molecules or ions that
make up the crystal and how they are joined.

Diaphaneity
Diaphaneity is a minerals degree of transparency
or ability to allow light to pass through it.

Tenacity
Tenacity is the characteristic that describes how
the particles of a mineral hold together or resist
separation.
 Magnetism
Magnetism is the characteristic that allows a

mineral to attract or repel other magnetic
materials.

Luster
Luster is the property of minerals that
indicates how much the surface of a mineral
reflects light.

Odor
Most minerals have no odor unless they are
acted upon in one of the following ways:
moistened, heated, breathed upon, or rubbed.
 Taste
Only soluble minerals have a taste, but it is

very important that minerals not be placed in
the mouth or on the tongue.

Specific Gravity
Specific Gravity of a mineral is a comparison
or ratio of the weight of the mineral to the
weight of an equal amount of water.

Acid Test
Some minerals give off gas when an acid is
dropped on them.
MINERAL
FORMATION

 CRYSTALLIZATION

It is the process of mineral formation from the
cooling of magma (molten rock)
EX: Granite & Rhyolite
 PRECIPITATION

These types of minerals form when large
bodies of water evaporate and leave mineral
deposits behind.
 HIGH PRESSURES &

HIGH TEMPERATURES
Deep within the Earth where high pressure
and temperatures can be found, minerals also
can be formed.