Chemical classification

of minerals

Native elements
(metal)

native gold (Au), native copper (Cu)

(Non metal)
Graphite (C), Sulphur (S)

Sulfides
(metal

+ S)
pyrite (FeS2), galena (PbS),
Sphalerite (ZnS)

Oxides
Simple oxides (metal + O)
hematite (Fe2O3)
Pyrolusite (MnO2)
Cassiterite (SnO2)

Multiple

oxides (metal + metal + O)

Ilmenite FeO + TiO2
= FeTiO3

Oxides
Spinel

Divalent oxide + Trivalent

oxide
Chromite FeO
FeCr2O3
Magnetite FeO
Fe3O4

Cr2O3 =
Fe2O3 =

Hydroxides
Hydroxides

(metal + OH)

Halides

(metal + Cl or F halogens)

halite (NaCl), fluorite (CaF2)

Carbonates
(metal + CO3)
TRIGONAL
calcite (CaCO3),
Siderite (FeCO3)
dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2
ORTHORHOMBIC
Aragonite (CaCO3)

Sulfates
(metal

+ SO4)
Anhydrite (CaSO4)
Barite (BaSO4)
Hydrous

Sulphate
(metal+SO4+H2O)
Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O

Phosphates

(metal + PO4)
apatite

Tungstate
WO4

group

Silicates

(metal + Si and O)
quartz (SiO2),

Silicates

Silicon-oxygen tetrahedron

Silicates
Single tetrahedra
olivine
Single chains
pyroxene
Double chains
amphibole
Sheets
muscovite
biotite
Frameworks
quartz

Single Chain-Pyroxene

Double chain - Amphibole