What is a Mineral?

Naturally-formed solid substance with a

crystal structure
 What do all minerals
have in common?
All:
1. Are formed by natural processes.
2. Are NOT alive and NEVER were alive
3. Have a definite volume and shape
4. Are elements or compounds with a unique
chemical makeup
5. Are made up of particles that are arranged in
a pattern that is repeated over and over
(called a CRYSTAL)
Watch Crystals by Brainpop
username: ehms
password: bonac
Search Crystals if it does not bring you right to the video.

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 Examples
Contain Quartz, mica
Silicates oxygen & silica
The most
abundant group
of minerals
MICA Quartz
 Mineral Group Characteristics Examples
Make up only iron, copper,
Non-Silicates 5% of the gold, silver,
Earths crust diamonds,
Silver Include some rubies
of the most Copper
important
minerals Diamond

Gold Iron
Ruby
Mineral Group Characteristics Examples
Carbonates Carbon & Calcite (CaCO3)
oxygen and a
positive ion,
such as calcium

Calcite withDuftite inclusions

Mineral Group Characteristics Examples
Oxides Metallic ion Hematite
and oxygen (Fe2)O3
Mineral Group Characteristics Examples
Sulfides Sulfur and a Galena (PbS)
metallic ion
Mineral Group Characteristics Examples
Sulfates Metallicion, Barite (BaSO4)
Sulfur & oxygen

Barite
Barite on Calcite
BaSo4
BaSo4 / CaCO3
Mineral Group Characteristics Examples
Native Single Gold (Au),
Elements elements 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) will reform into crystals as the
water evaporates and the dissolved
elements recrystalize.
 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

Pyrite has a metallic luster
metal
non-metallic = dull,

non-shiny surface

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
Their colors may vary (remember, color Bad!)

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
.
.

3
2
.
.
 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
Username: ehms
password: bonac
Search Mineral Identification if it does not bring you right to the video.

1. If a mineral can scratch your fingernail,

the mineral is _______________ than
your fingernail.

2. What is luster?
 What is a gem?
A Mineral OR Rock that has value
Rare !
Sometimes polishing or cutting will add
value
The End