The Gallery of Minerals

Minerals are very important. We study them because they play a major role in our
economy, industry, and health. We use hundreds of products everyday that are made
up of them.
The following are examples of common minerals that are categorized by type. Each
has a thumbnail picture of the specimen and a brief description of it. Clicking on the
name of the individual specimen will take you to a page with a larger picture and a
detailed description.
But before we get to individual specimens lets see if we can agree on what these things
are. A scientific definition says that it is something that:

occurs naturally.

Is solid at room temperatures

has a regular structure (its atoms have a definite arrangement).

Has a chemical formula

There are a few things that dont seem to fit even though they seem to belong. See
mineraloids.

The Silicates

Amazonite is a beautiful green variety of microcline

feldspar. Its chemical formula is KAlSi3O8 , potassium
aluminum silicate.

Tanzanite is a variety of Zoisite. It is valued as a gem stone

and has the chemical formula Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH).

The Mica Group is the name given to a group of silicate

minerals that have silicon and oxygen as their two major
components.

Muscovite is a member of the mica mineral group. It is more

important as a rock-forming mineral than as a collectible
specimen.

Biotite Biotite is a member of the mica branch of the silicate

mineral group. It is common as a rock-forming mineral and is
present in all three rock types: igneous, metamorphic, and
sedimentary.

Sodalite is a deep royal blue silicate. The deep color and the
fact that it will take a high polish makes it popular in jewelry
and other decorative items. The chemical formula is
Na8Al6Si6O24Cl2.

Topaz is a silicate mineral that can be many different colors.

The fact that it will take a high polish and is very hard makes
it popular in jewelry. The chemical formula is Al2SiO4(F,OH)2.

Talc is a metamorphic mineral from the silicate family. Its

chemical formula is hydrated magnesium silicate
H2Mg3(SiO3)4. Talc is commonly used as talcum powder to
reduce friction, promote dry skin, and prevent rashes.

The Quartz Family

Quartz is one of the most common of all minerals that make

up the continental crust. It is found in igneous, metamorphic,
and sedimentary rocks. It is associated with many valuable
ore deposits as well.

Amethyst is a variety of quartz and owes its purple color to

the presence of iron. It is composed of silicone dioxide SiO 2.

Agate is the name given to a group of silicates that are

made up primarily of chalcedony. Chalcedony is a member of
the quartz family of minerals. Like quartz chalcedony is
silicone dioxide with a chemical formula of SiO2.

Tigers Eye is a form of quartz with some special

characteristics. Like all quartz it is made up primarily of
silicone dioxide, SiO2. Within this matrix are asbestos fibers
usually occurring in layers. It is the asbestos that makes Tiger
eye a chatoyant gemstone.

The Sulfates

barite is a sulfate mineral with a chemical formula of BaSO4,

sometimes called heavy spar. Its chemical name is barium
sulfate. It is the primary source of the element barium.

Celestite is made up of strontium sulfate. The chemical

formula is SrSO4. Its name comes from Latin, caelestis
meaning celestial.

selenite Selenite is a very common chemical sedimentary

mineral. Its chemical formula is Calcium Sulfate dihydrate
CaSO42H20, It is a form of gypsum. It is a very soft mineral.

The carbonates
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral. Its
chemical composition is MnCO3. In its purest form it is a
transparent rose red, but this is fairly rare. It can also be
formed in stalactites. This form can be sliced revealing
circular layers of rose and pink to milky white. These lighter
colors are formed when the manganese is replaced by
calcium, manganese or zinc. The depth of color from red to
pink depends on the amount of substitution.

Azurite is a copper carbonate. The chemical formula is

Cu3[OH CO3]2and results from the oxidation of copper
sulfides.

Malachite is a copper carbonate with a chemical formula of

Cu2[(OH)2 CO3]. It is a vibrant green color often banded with
light and dark greens.

Calcite Calcite is a very common sedimentary mineral. It has

the chemical formula CaCO3 calcium carbonate. Calcite
dissolves in water and so is carried along with water into
cracks, fissures, and caves. It can over time build up layer
upon layer to form stalactites and stalagmites in caves.

The Oxides

Magnetite is sometimes called lodestone. It is strongly

magnetic. It was used by the ancient Chinese to make the
first magnetic compasses. The chemical formula is Fe3O4.

Hematite is one of the most prevalent and useful forms of

iron on our planet. It is a common iron ore and is often used
in jewelry and other decorative items. The chemical formula
is Fe2O3.

The Halides

Halite Halite is also known as rock salt. The chemical name

is sodium chloride NaCl It is called an evaporate. It forms in
places where sea water has been isolated from the ocean
forming a lake.

Fluorite Fluorite is a halide that is soft and usually colorless

but can be blue, purple, green, brown, or yellow. Some times
several colors are present in the same crystal creating a
striking affect.

The Sulfides

Galena has been mined for lead and silver since the time of
the Romans. It is a form of lead sulfide. The chemical formula
is PbS. It is the most important source of lead and is
abundant and widespread in occurance.

Stibnite Stibnite is a sulfide found in low temperature

hydrothermal veins and hot springs deposits. It is prized by
collectors for the long slender bladed crystals. These can
occur in clumps with many orthorhombic crystals radiating in
all directions. It is very soft only a 2 on the Mohs hardness
scale.

Pyrite sometimes called iron pyrite is a compound of iron

and sulfur, iron sulfide FeS2. Depending upon the conditions
under which it forms pyrite can form crystals of different
shapes.

Phosphates

Apatite is the name given to a group of phosphate minerals

that are widely distributed in all rock types, usually in tiny
crystals spread throughout the host rock. It is usually green
in color.

Turquoise is classed as a phosphate mineral. The chemical

formula is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8 4H2O a hydrous phosphate of
copper and Aluminum.

The Elements

Gold is a soft metallic element. Its symbol is Au. It is very

dense. As one of the noble metals it is resistant to corrosion
and oxidation in moist air.

Copper is a soft metallic element. Its symbol is Cu. Native

copper is rare because it has been mined for centuries. Today
it is used for making wire, tubing, and coins to name a few.
Long ago it was combined with tin to create bronze.

Bismuth Crystals Bismuth in its elemental form is a rare

occurance in nature, even more so for bismuth crystals. Lab
grown crystals are popular because of their intricate shapes
and dazzaling colors.

Silicon Silicon is a metallic element used to make computer

chips and other electronic equipment. Although it is the
second most abundant element in the world it was not
discovered until 1824.

The Mineraloids

Mineraloid is 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.