MINERAL

A mineral is a naturally occurring,

inorganic solid with a definite chemical
composition and an ordered internal
structure. Every mineral is unique, but
they exhibit general characteristics.
CHARACTERISTICS:
1.Naturally occuring - minerals exist naturally
2.Inorganic - minerals are limited to substances formed through
inorganic processes, and exclude materials derived from
living organisms which involved organic processes.
3.Solid - all liquids and gases—even those that are naturally
formed, such as petroleum—are not considered minerals. Ice
formed in the glaciers is considered a mineral but water is
not.
CHARACTERISTICS:
4. Definite chemical composition - the chemical composition of
minerals should express the exact chemical formula with the
elements and compounds in specific ratios. The only exception is
the atomic substitution, which is characteristics of certain
minerals.
5. Ordered internal structure - the atoms in minerals are
organized in a regular, repetitive geometric pattern or crystal
structure.
HOW DO THEY FORM?
1.Crystallization from Magma or Lava
When hot magma or lava cools, atoms arrange into
crystal structures.
• Magma cools slowly underground → large crystals
• Lava cools quickly on the surface → small or no
crystals
Example: Quartz, feldspar, olivine
HOW DO THEY FORM?
2. Precipitation from Water
Minerals form when dissolved substances in
water become concentrated and crystallize.
Evaporation of salty water leaves behind
crystals.
Example: Halite (rock salt), calcite
HOW DO THEY FORM?
3. Changes in Temperature and Pressure
(Metamorphism)
• Deep underground, heat and pressure can
change existing minerals into new ones without
melting.
Example: Graphite from carbon, garnet from mica
HOW DO THEY FORM?
4. Formation from Hydrothermal Solutions
• Hot water rich in minerals flows through cracks
and cools, depositing minerals.
• Superheated water + minerals → deposits in
veins
Example: Gold, silver, galena
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
In terms of composition, minerals can be classified into several
classes which are mainly composed of elements that are abundant
on Earth’s crust.
1.Silicates are composed primarily of
silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons (SiO₄⁴⁻).
Silicates are the major rock-forming
minerals, including olivine ((Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄)
and quartz (SiO₂)
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
2. Oxides consist of metal cations bonded to
oxygen anions. Common oxide minerals are
magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite (Fe2O3)

3. Sulfides consist of a metal or semi-metal

cation bonded to sulfide (S²⁻). Example fo
sulfides are galen (PbS) and pyrite (FeS2).
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
4. Sulfates consist of a metal cation bonded
to sulfate ions (SO4²⁻) within its chemical
structure. They usually precipitate out of water
near Earth’s surface. An example of sulfate is
gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O)
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
5. Halides are composed of halogen
ion, such as chlorine or fluorine,
which forms halites or rock salt
(NaCl) and fluorite (CaF2).
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
6. Carbonates are characterized by
the presence of the carbonic ion
(CO32-) which bonds elements such
as calcium or magnesium to form
calcite (CaCO3) or dolomite
(CaMg(CO3)2)
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
COMPOSITION OF MINERALS
7. Native metals consist of a single
metal such as copper (Cu) and gold
(Au)
CRYSTAL
STRUCTURE OF
MINERALS
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF MINERALS
Crystal structure is dependent on the chemical
composition of the mineral. Minerals that have similar
chemical compositions often share the same crystal
structure and generally belong to the same crystal system.
There are six crystal systems used in grouping minerals
based on structure: triclinic, monoclinic, orthorombic,
tetragonal, hexagonal, and isometric structures.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
OF MINERALS
There are around 4000 minerals, each with a unique
set of physical properties, such as crystal formation,
habit, cleavage, fracture, luster, color, streak,
hardness, density, magnetism, taste, feel, and reaction
to acid. These physical properties are useful for
identifying minerals using a systematic method.
 CRYSTAL FORM AND HABIT
• Since minerals have a definite chemical
composition, they form a definite structure
that crystallizes into a specific crystal form.
The outward appearance of the mineral’s
crystal form, on the other hand, is its habit.
•Crystal habit is the
general appearance
or growth style of a
crystal.
•Crystal form refers to
the specific geometric Crystals growing slowly in open cavities may
arrangement of form large, well-defined shapes, while those
developing in confined spaces or under rapid
cooling often appear distorted or skeletal.
crystal faces.
 CLEAVAGE AND FRACTURE
The manner in which
a mineral breaks is
dependent on its
molecular bonding
and structure.
 CLEAVAGE AND FRACTURE
Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to
break along specific planes where atomic bonds
are weaker. This results in smooth, flat surfaces,
and the fragments generally retain a similar
shape. Examples include mica, which cleaves into
thin sheets, and halite, which breaks into cubes.
 CLEAVAGE AND FRACTURE
Fracture occurs when a mineral breaks in an
irregular manner, without smooth, flat surfaces. The
breakage is random, often producing rough or
jagged edges. Examples include quartz, which
typically fractures in a conchoidal (curved) pattern,
and obsidian, which has a glassy fracture.
Cleavage & Fracture
–The way the mineral
breaks
–Cleavage—minerals
break along smooth, flat
surfaces and every
fragment has the same
general shape
–Fracture—minerals that
break at random with
rough or jagged edges
 Cleavage or Fracture?

1. 2.

3. 4.
 The luster of a mineral describes the appearance of
light as it is reflected off its surface. A mineral may be
described as metallic, like that of a polished metal.
Alternatively, it may be described as nonmetallic,
which can be vitreous (like glass), resinous (like
resin), pearlescent, silky, greasy, earthy, and dull.
• Can be misleading

• Many minerals will have a similar

appearance, but will have
different impurities

• Color and appearance are not

enough to distinguish minerals
• Can be misleading

• Many minerals will have a similar

appearance, but will have
different impurities

• Color and appearance are not

enough to distinguish minerals
• The color of the powdered form of the
mineral
• We find a minerals streak by rubbing it
on a white ceramic plate
• The color of the streak can be different
than the mineral
• Minerals must be softer than the streak
plate
Streak…can help identify quartz
•How easily a mineral scratches materials
•Mohs Hardness Scale
•Scale from 1 (softest) to 10 (hardest)
•Test by seeing if the mineral can scratch different
objects (like human fingernail, copper, penny,
glass, steel file)
 Physical
Properties
of
Minerals
(can be
used to
identify
the
mineral)
Important Minerals to Society
 Feldspar
is the most common of all
minerals
has flat sides, or facets
is broken into pieces, it
often breaks with one or
more flat sides
Feldspar, quartz and mica
are the most important rocks
in granite
 Quartz
it can be found in many colors,
it is often used to make jewelry
it can be used in glass,
electronics and many other
industries
is one of the most common
minerals on earth
it’s crystals form hexagonal, or
six sided prisms
is an extremely hard mineral
 Platinum
is a very valuable mineral
it is silvery gray with a
metallic luster
can be made into beautiful
jewelry
it is also very useful in
many industries
is used in computers,
electronics, and even in our
space shuttles and satelites
 Copper

is a very useful mineral

that is also used in wires to
conduct electricity
is very important in our
industries and is also
combined with other
metals to make brass and
bronze
 Silver

is another of man's
favorite minerals
it is very similar to gold
it is a beautiful shiny
metal that has many uses
it is hard to find
 Gold

is one of man's favorite

minerals
is valuable because it is a
beautiful shiny metal
it has many uses and it is
hard to find
 Other Minerals

Hematite Calcite Biotite

Dolomite Galena Magnetite

Lesson 3: Activity 1