Rocks and Minerals...

ROCKS
AND
MINERALS
MINERAL
-is defined as a naturally-occurring, inorganic
solid with a definite chemical composition and an
ordered internal structure. Every mineral is unique,
but they exhibit general characteristics.
NATURALLY OCURRING
-Minerals exist naturally. Steel and
synthetic diamonds are created artificially,
and therefore, are not minerals.
INORGANIC
-Minerals are limited to substances formed
through inorganic processes, and exclude
materials derived from living organisms
which involved organic processes. Coal,
which is composed of remains of plants
and other inorganic compounds, is not a
mineral.
SOLID
-all liquids and gases-even those that are
naturally formed such as petroleum-are not
considered minerals. Ice formed in in the
glaciers is considered a mineral but water
is not.
DEFINITE CHEMICAL
COMPOSITION
-The chemical composition of minerals
should express the exact chemical formula
with the elements and compounds in
specific ratios. The only exception is the
atomic substitution, which is characteristic
of certain minerals.
ORDERED INTERNAL
STRUCTURE
-The atoms in minerals are organized in a
regular, repetitive geometric patterns or crystal
structure. Volcanic glass, even if it is formed
naturally, is not considered a mineral because it
is amorphous and has no form. Substances that
fulfill all the requirements but do not have an
ordered internal structure are called
mineraloids. Examples of mineraloids are amber,
obsidian, opal, and pearl.
COMPOSITION
OF
MINERALS
SILICATES
-are composed primarily of silicon-
oxygen tetrahedrons. Silicates are the
major rock-forming minerlas, including
olivine (Mg, Fe)2SiO4) and Quartz
(SiO2).
SILICON-OXYGEN
TETRAHEDRONS
OLIVINE
QUARTZ
OXIDES
-consist of metal cations bonded to
oxygen anions. Common oxide minerals
are magnetite (Fe3O4) and hematite
(Fe2O3)
HEMATITE
MAGNETITE
SULFIDES
-consist of metal cation bonded to sulfide.
They are common ore minerals along with
oxides since metals form a high proportion
of the mineral. Examples of sulfides are
galena (PbS) and pyrite (FeS2)
PYRITE
GALENA
SULFATES
-consist of a metal cation bonded to the
anionic group. They usually precipitate out
of water near Earth’s surface. An example
of sulfate is gypsum (CaSO4*2H2O).
GYPSUM
HALIDES
-are composed of a halogen ion, such as
chlorine or fluorine, which forms halite or
rock salt (NaCl) and fluorite (CaF2)
FLUORITE
HALITE
CARBONATES
-are characterized by the presence of
carbonic ion which bonds elements such as
calcium or magnesium to form calcite
(CaCo3) or dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2).
DOLOMITE
CALCITE
NATIVE METALS
-consist of a single metal such as copper,

(Cu) and gold (Au).
COPPER GOLD
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
-is dependent on the chemical composition
of the mineral. Minerals that have similar
chemical compositions often share the
same crystal structure and generally belong
to the same crystal system.
PHYSICAL
PROPERTIES
OF MINERALS
CRYSTAL
FORM AND
HABIT
CRYSTAL FORM AND HABIT
-the external shape of a crystal or
groups of crystals is displayed or
observed these crystals grow in open
spaces.
BLOCKY HABIT BLADED HABIT NEEDLE-LIKE HABIT
CLEAVAGE
AND
FRACTURE
CLEAVAGE
it is the property of some minerals to
break along parallel repetitive planes of
weakness to form smooth, flat surfaces.
FRACTURE
-some minerals may not have cleavages
but exhibit broken surfaces that are
irregular and non-planar.
CONCHOIDAL FIBROUS HACKLY
LUSTER
-it is the quality and intensity of
reflected light exhibited by the mineral.
METALLIC
-generally opaque and exhibit a
resplendent shine similar to a polished
metal.
NON-METALLIC
-vitreous (glassy), adamantine
(brilliant/diamond like), resinous, silky,
pearly (earthy), greasy, etc.
VITREOUS RESINOUS PEARLY
GREASY EARTHY
COLOR AND STREAK
-although color is the most obvious
mineral property, it is not a reliable
feature for identifying minerals.
COLOR AND STREAK
-Quartz is colorless but slight impurities can
produce a variety of colors, such as white
(like in milky quartz), yellow (like in citrine),
purple (like in amethyst) or black (like in
smoky quartz)
STREAK
-the color of a mineral in a powdered
form. Note that the color of a mineral
could be different from the streak.
STREAK
-for example, pyrite exhibits golden
color but has a black or dark gray
streak. Streak is a better diagnostic
property as compared to color.
HARDNESS
-it is a measure of the resistance of a
mineral to abrasion. It can be measured
by scratching it with another mineral or
a reference material with known
hardness.
HARDNESS
-The Mohs scale of hardness is a relative
measure of hardness using common
materials and standard minerals to
represent a specific hardness value.
DENSITY
Specific Gravity- is a measure of the
density of a mineral. It is the weight of a
mineral relative to the weight of an
equal volume of water. Most of the
minerals have a specific gravity of 2.7,
while gold has 19.
OTHER PROPERTIES OF
MINERALS
MAGNETISM- (magnetite)
TASTE- (halite is salty)
Effervescence or reaction to acid
(calcite and other carbonates will react
with weak acid)
Feel- (talc is greasy)

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ROCKS

-consist of a single metal such as copper,

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