Minerals - Part II

7 Major mineral groups

Natures most common building block in

rock forming minerals is the
Silica Tetrahedra SiO4

1) Silicate Minerals
Quartz is the second
most abundant
mineral on the
earths crust

(the most abundant element on the

earths crust is therefore oxygen)

Quartz is used for

glass, jewelry and
electronics

Feldspars
Feldspar is the
most abundant
family of minerals
on the earths crust.
The various feldspar
minerals make up
over 60 percent of the crust.
(Aluminum ions replace silicon ions)

Feldspars

Feldspar is used for

ceramics (china) and
glass

Micas are soft

silicates found in
many rocks micas most
distinctive feature
is that it has one
cleavage surface
they are pearly and
flake easily

Micas

Micas
Micas are used for
electronic insulation

Amphiboles

complex
type in the
silica group
where iron
and
magnesiu
m have
replaced a
silica ion.

Carbonates
Carbonate mineral group is made up of
compounds of one carbon and 3 oxygen
atoms (CO3) joined with various metal ions

Carbonates
react with acid (HCl);
calcite reacts
strongly with acid,
other carbonate
minerals react only
mildly with acid.

Other Carbonate Minerals

Dolomite =
CaMg(CO3)2

Siderite = FeCO3

Oxides
Metal + oxygen = oxide
For example:
Hematite = Fe2O3

Franklinite =
(Zn,Mn,Fe)2+(Fe,Mn)3+2O4

Sulfides
Metal + sulfur =
sulfide
For Example:
Pyrite = FeS2

Sulfates
Sulfur + 4 Oxygen
atoms = Sulfate
SO4
For example:
Barite = BaSO4

Halites (Salts)
Compounds of elements and chlorine,
fluorine, iodine or bromine
For example:
table salt = NaCl,

potassium salt = KCl

Native Elements

Elements found uncombined with other

elements, For example:
gold

silver

copper

sulfur

diamond

7 Mineral Groups
(in relative order of abundance)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

Silicates minerals that contain silicon &

oxygen, and usually one more element
Carbonates contains carbon w/3 oxygen
atoms
Sulfates contains sulfur w/four oxygen
atoms
Halides compounds of certain elements
and chlorine, fluorine, iodine or bromine
Oxides compounds of elements and oxygen
(usually rust looking)
Sulfides compounds of elements and sulfur
Native Elements elements found
uncombined w/other elements (copper, gold,
etc)

Single chain silicates

End here

Look familiar?
Felspar
Microcline
Distinguishing
feature:
the
laminae
little veins in
the mineral

Garnet
Ca3Al2(SiO4)3

Look familiar?

Hornblende:

striated
appearance
hexagonal crosssection
Dark-dark green
to black

Look familiar?

Magnetite

magnetic

Look familiar?

Olivine

Light to dark green

Really hard (6.5-7)

Look familiar?

Franklinite

Stubby metallic
crystals, usually
in calcite

Look familiar?

Zincite

red
vitreous
orange-yellow
streak

Willmenite

green
strongly fluorescent
green