What is Apatite?

Apatite is the name of a group of

phosphate minerals with similar chemical
compositions and physical properties. They are
an important constituent of phosphorite,
a rockmined for its phosphorus content and used
to make fertilizers, acids, and chemicals. Apatite
has a relatively consistent hardness and serves
as the index mineral for a hardness of five in
the Mohs Hardness Scale. Specimens with
excellent clarity and color are sometimes cut as What is Copper?
faceted gemstones. Those with good color and
translucence are cut as cabochons. Native copper is an element and a mineral. It is
found in the oxidized zones of copper deposits; in
hydrothermal veins; in the cavities of basalt that
have been in contact with hydrothermal solutions;
and as pore fillings and replacements in
conglomerates that have been in contact with
hydrothermal solutions. It is rarely found in large
quantities, thus it is seldom the primary target of
a mining operation. Most copper produced is
extracted from sulfide deposits.

Copper: Copper from Bisbee, Arizona. This specimen is

approximately 2.5 inches (6.4 centimeters) across.
Apatite Crystals: A scatter of small greenish yellow
apatite crystals from Cerro del Mercado, Durango,
Mexico. These hexagonal crystals are small, mostly
about 8 millimeters in length. Apatite crystals of this
clarity are not often found in large sizes. Image
copyright by Geology.com.

Diamond crystal: A gem-quality diamond crystal in the

rock in which it was formed. It is an octahedral crystal
with strong growth lines on its surface and an estimated
weight of about 1.5 carats.
What is Diamond?
Diamond is a rare, naturally-occurring mineral
composed of carbon. Each carbon atom in a
diamond is surrounded by four other carbon
atoms and connected to them by strong covalent
bonds - the strongest type of chemical bond. This
simple, uniform, tightly-bonded arrangement
yields one of the most durable and versatile
substances known.
very low specific gravity. In contrast, it is
extremely resistant to heat and nearly inert in
contact with almost any other material. These
extreme properties give it a wide range of uses in
metallurgy and manufacturing.
Graphite: Graphite crystals in a piece of marble from
the Saint-Jovite Skarn Zone, Mont-Tremblant, Les
Laurentides RCM, Quebec, Canada. This specimen is
approximately three inches (7.6 cm) in length.

What is Gold?
Native gold is an element and a mineral. It is
highly prized by people because of its attractive
color, resistance to tarnish, and its many special
properties - some of which are unique to gold. Its
rarity, usefulness, and desirability make it
command a high price.

The three types of rocks

Its the first thing you learn in a geology class

Gold nuggets: from Colorado. These specimens range
between three and eight millimeters across.
What is Graphite?
very briefly the three types of rocks are:
1. Igneous; they form from the cooling of
magma deep inside the earth. They often

Graphite is a naturally-occurring form of have large crystals (you can see then
crystalline carbon. It is a native element mineral with the naked eye).
found in metamorphic andigneous rocks.
Graphite is a mineral of extremes. It is extremely
soft, cleaves with very light pressure, and has a
 are made of minerals that simply dont
a. MAGMA - is a mixture of molten or semi-
molten rock, as well as some gases and elongate, no matter how much stress you

other volatile elements. apply.

b. BASALT -is a dark-colored, fine-grained,

igneous rock composed mainly of

plagioclase and pyroxene minerals.

b. MICASCHIST - The dark brown rounded

minerals are garnet, and everything you see

with a whiteish tint is the mica. The reddist

areas are rusty mica. Image modified from

Willowleaf Minerals.

2. Metamorphic; they are formed through the

change (metamorphosis) of igneous and
sedimentary rocks. They can form both
underground and at the surface.

a. MARBLE -Non-foliated metamorphic rocks;

3. Sedimentary; they are formed through the
where the crystals have no preferential
solidification of sediment. They can be based
allignment. Some rocks, such as limestone
 off of organic remains (such as limestone), or
just form from the cementing of other rocks.

a. CONGLORMERATE a rock made from

cemented gravel.

b. Salt - is a mineral and it can be quite

beautiful. The rock is called halite in this

context and its a sedimentary rock.

 5
MINERAL
 S AND EXAMPLE
USES S

3 TYPES
OF ROCKS
AND