What is a Mineral?

Naturally-formed solid substance with a

crystal structure
Pyromorphite

What do all minerals

have in common?
All:
1.
2.
3.
4.

5.

Are formed by natural processes.

Are NOT alive and NEVER were alive
Have a definite volume and shape
Are elements or compounds with a unique
chemical makeup
Are made up of particles that are arranged in
a pattern that is repeated over and over
(called a CRYSTAL)

Watch Crystals by Brainpop

1.What element are diamonds made from?
2. What do all crystals have in common?

Groups of Minerals

Minerals are grouped by the elements

they are made of.

Beryl
(Emerald)

Calcite

Amethyst

Mineral Group Characteristics

Contain

Silicates

oxygen & silica

Examples
Quartz, mica

The

most
abundant group
of minerals
MICA

Quartz

Mineral Group Characteristics

Make

Non-Silicates

Include

some
of the most
important
minerals

Silver

Gold

up only
5% of the
Earths crust

Ruby

Examples
iron, copper,
gold, silver,
diamonds,
rubies
Copper

Diamond

Iron

Mineral Group Characteristics

Carbonates

Carbon

Examples

&
Calcite (CaCO3)
oxygen and a
positive ion,
such as calcium

Calcite withDuftite inclusions

Mineral Group Characteristics

Oxides

Metallic

ion
and oxygen

Examples
Hematite
(Fe2)O3

Mineral Group Characteristics

Sulfides

Sulfur

and a
metallic ion

Examples
Galena (PbS)

Mineral Group Characteristics

Sulfates

Barite on Calcite
BaSo4 / CaCO3

Metallic

Examples

ion,
Barite (BaSO4)
Sulfur & oxygen
Barite
BaSo4

Mineral Group Characteristics

Native
Elements

Single

elements

Examples
Gold (Au),
Diamond (C),
Silver (Ag)

How do minerals form?

1) Cooling of magma (hot, liquid rock and

minerals inside the earth (from the
mantle))

Fast Cooling = No Crystals (mineraloids)

Medium Cooling = small crystals
Slow Cooling = large crystals

How do minerals form?

2) Elements dissolved in liquids (usually

water)

Physical Properties of Minerals

(can be used to identify the mineral)
Color
Can be misleading
Can vary with the type of impurities

Physical Properties of Minerals

(can be used to identify the mineral)
Luster
Surface reflection
metallic = shiny like
metal
non-metallic = dull,
non-shiny surface

Pyrite has a metallic luster

Calcite has a non-metallic luster

Physical Properties of Minerals

(can be used to identify the mineral)
Streak
The color of the powdered
form of the mineral
The color of the streak can be
different than the mineral
Minerals must be softer than
the streak plate

Streakcan help identify

quartz

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/cube/b3.
html

Physical Properties of Minerals

(can be used to identify the mineral)
Hardness
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)

Find out more

Electronic Hardness Test

http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomy
steries/cube/b2.html

Physical Properties of Minerals

(can be used to identify the mineral)
Cleavage & Fracture

The way the mineral breaks

Cleavageminerals break along
smooth, flat surfaces and
every fragment has the same
general shape
Fractureminerals that break
at random with rough or
jagged edges

Cleavage or Fracture?
1
.

4
.

2
.

3
.

Physical Properties of Minerals

(can be used to identify the mineral)
Other Properties

Specific gravity (*excellent clue to

minerals identity) http://www.childrensmuseum.org/geomysteries/cube/b4.h
tml
Attraction to magnets
Bending of light
Reaction with hydrochloric acid
Smell & taste

Watch BrainpopMineral Identification

1. If a mineral can scratch your fingernail,
the mineral is _______________ than
your fingernail.
2. What is luster?

Watch Classifying Minerals Clip