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Mineral Classification Systems
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Strunz Classification System
Ten categories based on mineral chemistry and structure. Examples: Elements class (1st), Oxides class (4th), Silicates class (9th).
Sulfate Minerals
Based on sulfate ion (SO4)^2-. Examples: Gypsum, Anhydrite, Barite.
Phosphate Minerals
Contain the phosphate anion group (PO4)^3-. Examples: Apatite, Monazite, Turquoise.
Diaphaneity (Transparency)
Describes how much light passes through a mineral. Examples: Transparent in Quartz, Translucent in Alabaster, Opaque in Pyrite.
Dana Classification System
Based on chemical composition and crystal structure. Examples: Native elements class, Sulfides class, Silicates class.
Color in Minerals
Visible aspect, sometimes deceptive for identification. Examples: Amethyst (purple), Malachite (green), Sulfur (yellow).
Mineral Habit
The external shape displayed by a mineral. Examples: Acicular habit in Natrolite, Botryoidal habit in Malachite, Tabular habit in Wulfenite.
Silicate Minerals
Most common mineral group, based on silicon-oxygen tetrahedra. Examples: Quartz, Feldspar, Mica.
Streak
The color of a mineral’s powder left on an unglazed porcelain tile. Examples: Hematite (red-brown), Pyrite (black-green), Galena (gray).
Tenacity
A mineral's resistance to breaking, bending, cutting, or deformation. Examples: Brittle in Quartz, Malleable in Gold, Flexible in Mica.
Native Elements
Consist of a single element or type of atom. Examples: Gold, Silver, Copper.
Cleavage and Fracture
How minerals break along planes of weakness or irregularly. Examples: Cleavage in Mica, Fracture in Quartz.
Sulfide Minerals
Composed of sulfur and one or more metals. Examples: Pyrite, Galena, Chalcopyrite.
Oxide Minerals
Minerals consisting of metal cations bonded to oxygen. Examples: Hematite, Corundum, Magnetite.
Mohs Scale of Hardness
Qualitative ordinal scale classifying minerals by scratch resistance. Examples: Talc (1), Quartz (7), Diamond (10).
Halide Minerals
Formed from halogen elements with ionic bonding. Examples: Halite, Fluorite, Sylvite.
Luster
The way a mineral’s surface reflects light. Examples: Metallic in Galena, Vitreous in Quartz, Pearly in Talc.
Optical Properties
How a mineral interacts with light. Examples: Refractive index in diamonds, Birefringence in calcite, Pleochroism in iolite.
Carbonate Minerals
Based on carbonate ions (CO3)^2-. Examples: Calcite, Dolomite, Aragonite.
Specific Gravity
A mineral's weight compared to the weight of an equal volume of water. Examples: Galena (7.5-7.6), Gold (15-19.3), Quartz (2.65).
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