Mineral classification 1

Native Elements Silicates Oxides HalidesSulfates Nitrates Phosphates Carbonates Sulfides Beryl: Be3Al2Si6O18 Chromite: FeCr2O4 Cryolite: Na3AlF6 Gold: Au Talc: Mg3Si4O10OH2 Apatite: Ca5F

MINERAL CLASSIFICATION

How minerals are grouped

based on their chemical composition.

Yale University in 1848.

Mineral Composition

compounds made of

the most common

elements in the crust

minerals

 Metal + SiO2

 Example: topaz

Al SiO (F,OH)

group of minerals

 Metal + CO3

 Example: calcite

CaCO

 Metal + O

 Example: magnetite

Fe O

 Metal + SO4

 Example: barite

BaSO

 Metal + halogen

 Halogens include:

CaF 2

 Metal + S

 Example: chalcocite

Cu S

 Metal + PO4

 Example: Apatite

Ca (PO ) (OH,F,Cl)

 Metal + NO3

 Example: Niter

KNO

Native Elements

 A single element

 Example: Gold

Au

Place the names of the mineral groups across the top of your desk Place the minerals in the correct column based on the chemistry.

Here are the correct results

Native Elements Silicates Oxides Halides

Sulfates Nitrates

Phosphates

Carbonates Sulfides

Beryl: Be3Al2(Si6O18) Chromite: FeCr2O4 Cryolite: Na3AlF6 Gold: Au

Talc: Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2

Apatite: Ca5(F,Cl,OH)(PO4)3

Orthoclase: KAlSi3O8

Silver: Ag

Copper: Cu

Muscovite: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2

Corundum: Al2O3 Hematite: Fe2O3

Magnetite: Fe3O4

Halite: NaCl

Fluorite: CaF2

Sylvite: KCl

Turquoise: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8.2H2O Lazulite: MgAl2(OH)2(PO4)2

Sulfur: S

Quartz: SiO2 Kaolinite: Al4(Si4O10)(OH)8

Ilmenite: FeTiO3 Rutile: TiO2

Calcite: CaCO3 Gypsum: CaSO4.2H2O Galena: PbS

Dolomite: CaMg(CO3)2 Barite: BaSO4

Anhydrite: CaSO4

Sphalerite: ZnS

Pyrite: FeS2

Niter: KNO3

Siderite: FeCO3

Directions on how to print the next slide for classroom use:

1.Follow these steps to print a copy of the mineral labels used by students in this activity 2.Duplicate the sheet and cut along the lines.

3.Select “Print Preview” option on print menu.

4.Select “slides” on Print What menu.

5.Select “Print” on print menu.

6.Choose page 17 to print and on the Options menu choose “black and white”.

Native Elements Gold: Au Silver: Ag Copper: Cu

Silicates Beryl: Be3Al2(Si6O18) Muscovite: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2 Talc: Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2

Oxides Corundum: Al2O3 Hematite: Fe2O3 Magnetite: Fe3O4

Carbonates Calcite: CaCO3 Dolomite: CaMg(CO3)2

Halides Halite: NaCl Fluorite: CaF2 Sylvite: KCl

Sulfates Barite: BaSO4 Gypsum: CaSO4.2H2O Anhydrite: CaSO4

Sulfides Galena: PbS Sphalerite: ZnS Pyrite: FeS2

Nitrates Niter: KNO3

Phosphates Apatite: Ca5(F,Cl,OH)(PO4)3 Turquoise: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8.2H2O Lazulite: MgAl2(OH)2(PO4)2

Sulfur: S