The Gallery of Minerals

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The Gallery of Minerals

Minerals are very important. We study them because they play a major role in oureconomy, industry, and health. We use hundreds of products everyday that are madeup of them.

 The following are examples of common minerals that are categorized by type. Eachhas a thumbnail picture of the specimen and a brief description of it. lic!ing on thename of the individual specimen will ta!e you to a page with a larger picture and adetailed description.

"ut before we get to individual specimens lets see if we can agree on what these thingsare. # scienti$c de$nition says that it is something that%

•  occurs naturally.

• &s solid at room temperatures

• has a regular structure 'its atoms have a de$nite arrangement(.

• )as a chemical formula

 There are a few things that don*t seem to $t even though they seem to belong. +eemineraloids.

 The +ilicates

Amazonite is a beautiful green variety of microclinefeldspar. &ts chemical formula is #l+i-/ , potassiumaluminum silicate.

Tanzanite is a variety of 0oisite. &t is valued as a gem stoneand has the chemical formula a1#l-+i-21')(.

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The Mica Group is the name given to a group of silicateminerals that have silicon and oxygen as their two major

components.

Muscovite is a member of the mica mineral group. &t is moreimportant as a roc!3forming mineral than as a collectiblespecimen.

Biotite "iotite is a member of the mica branch of the silicatemineral group. &t is common as a roc!3forming mineral and ispresent in all three roc! types% igneous, metamorphic, andsedimentary.

Sodalite is a deep royal blue silicate. The deep color and thefact that it will ta!e a high polish ma!es it popular in jewelryand other decorative items. The chemical formula is4a/#l5+i516l1.

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Topaz is a silicate mineral that can be many di7erent colors. The fact that it will ta!e a high polish and is very hard ma!es

it popular in jewelry. The chemical formula is #l1+i6'8,)(1.

Talc is a metamorphic mineral from the silicate family. &tschemical formula is hydrated magnesium silicate)1Mg-'+i-(6. Talc is commonly used as talcum powder toreduce friction, promote dry s!in, and prevent rashes.

 The 9uartz 8amily

Quartz is one of the most common of all minerals that ma!eup the continental crust. &t is found in igneous, metamorphic,and sedimentary roc!s. &t is associated with many valuable

ore deposits as well.

Amethyst is a variety of :uartz and owes its purple color tothe presence of iron. &t is composed of silicone dioxide +i1.

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Agate is the name given to a group of silicates that aremade up primarily of chalcedony. halcedony is a member of

the :uartz family of minerals. ;i!e :uartz chalcedony issilicone dioxide with a chemical formula of +i1.

Tigers Eye is a form of :uartz with some specialcharacteristics. ;i!e all :uartz it is made up primarily ofsilicone dioxide, +i1. Within this matrix are asbestos $bersusually occurring in layers. &t is the asbestos that ma!es Tiger

eye a chatoyant gemstone.

 The +ulfates

barite is a sulfate mineral with a chemical formula of "a+6,sometimes called heavy spar. &ts chemical name is barium

sulfate. &t is the primary source of the element barium.

Celestite is made up of strontium sulfate. The chemicalformula is +r+6. &ts name comes from ;atin, caelestismeaning celestial.

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selenite +elenite is a very common chemical sedimentarymineral. &ts chemical formula is alcium +ulfate dihydrate

a+61)11and results from the oxidation of copper

sul$des.

Malachite is a copper carbonate with a chemical formula ofu1=')(1 ->. &t is a vibrant green color often banded withlight and dar! greens.

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Calcite alcite is a very common sedimentary mineral. &t hasthe chemical formula a- calcium carbonate. alcitedissolves in water and so is carried along with water into

crac!s, $ssures, and caves. &t can over time build up layerupon layer to form stalactites and stalagmites in caves.

 The xides

Magnetite is sometimes called lodestone. &t is strongly

magnetic. &t was used by the ancient hinese to ma!e the$rst magnetic compasses. The chemical formula is 8e-6.

!ematite is one of the most prevalent and useful forms ofiron on our planet. &t is a common iron ore and is often usedin jewelry and other decorative items. The chemical formula

is 8e1-.

 The )alides

!alite )alite is also !nown as roc! salt. The chemical nameis sodium chloride 4al &t is called an evaporate. &t forms in

places where sea water has been isolated from the oceanforming a la!e.

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"luorite 8luorite is a halide that is soft and usually colorlessbut can be blue, purple, green, brown, or yellow. +ome times

several colors are present in the same crystal creating astri!ing a7ect.

 The +ul$des

Galena has been mined for lead and silver since the time of

the ?omans. &t is a form of lead sul$de. The chemical formulais @b+. &t is the most important source of lead and isabundant and widespread in occurance.

Stibnite +tibnite is a sul$de found in low temperaturehydrothermal veins and hot springs deposits. &t is prized bycollectors for the long slender bladed crystals. These canoccur in clumps with many orthorhombic crystals radiating in

all directions. &t is very soft only a 1 on the Mohs hardnessscale.

#yrite sometimes called iron pyrite is a compound of ironand sulfur, iron sul$de 8e+1. Aepending upon the conditionsunder which it forms pyrite can form crystals of di7erentshapes.

@hosphates

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Apatite is the name given to a group of phosphate mineralsthat are widely distributed in all roc! types, usually in tiny

crystals spread throughout the host roc!. &t is usually greenin color.

Tur$uoise is classed as a phosphate mineral. The chemicalformula is u#l5'@6(6')(/ 6)1 a hydrous phosphate ofcopper and #luminum.

 The Elements

Gold is a soft metallic element. &ts symbol is #u. &t is verydense. #s one of the noble metals it is resistant to corrosion

and oxidation in moist air.

Copper is a soft metallic element. &ts symbol is u. 4ativecopper is rare because it has been mined for centuries. Todayit is used for ma!ing wire, tubing, and coins to name a few.;ong ago it was combined with tin to create bronze.

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Bismuth Crystals "ismuth in its elemental form is a rareoccurance in nature, even more so for bismuth crystals. ;ab

grown crystals are popular because of their intricate shapesand dazzaling colors.

Silicon +ilicon is a metallic element used to ma!e computerchips and other electronic e:uipment. #lthough it is thesecond most abundant element in the world it was notdiscovered until 2/16.

 The Mineraloids

Mineraloid is the term used for those substances that do not$t neatly into one of these eight classes. pal, jet, amber,

and mother of pearl all belong to the mineraloids.