Mineral Families and Mineral Resources

Classification of Minerals

•Minerals are classified or grouped into families according to their chemical composition

Mineral Families• Native Elements: consist of a single element

• Halides: consist of a metal plus a halogen (Cl, F, Br)

• Carbonates: consist of a metal and carbonate group (CO3)

• Sulfides: consist of metal and sulfur

• Sulfates: consist of a metal and sulfate group (SO4)

• Oxides: consist of metal and oxygen

• Silicates: consist of silicon and oxygen (SiO4 or SiO2)

examples:•Native Elements: Graphite, and Sulfur

•Halides: halite, fluorite

• Carbonates: Calcite, Dolomite

• Sulfides: Pyrite, Galena

• Sulfates: Gypsum

•Oxides: Magnetite, Hematite

• Silicates: Quartz, olivine, garnet, mica, feldspar, amphibole etc...

Silicates: The largest mineral

family• Largest family of minerals

•most common

• basic unit-tetrahedron

• consists of SiO4

Other facts:

•Rare minerals of great beauty and value are classified as gems (ex: diamonds, rubies)

•Minerals that have a commercial value and use and can be extracted from the earth are ores. These are usually metals. (ex: lead, iron)

•We are studying minerals or mineralogy.