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Minerals are very important. We study them because they play a major role in our
economy, industry, and health. We use hundreds of products everyday that are made
up of them.
The following are examples of common minerals that are categorized by type. Each
has a thumbnail picture of the specimen and a brief description of it. Clicking on the
name of the individual specimen will take you to a page with a larger picture and a
detailed description.
But before we get to individual specimens lets see if we can agree on what these things
are. A scientific definition says that it is something that:
occurs naturally.
There are a few things that dont seem to fit even though they seem to belong. See
mineraloids.
The Silicates
Sodalite is a deep royal blue silicate. The deep color and the
fact that it will take a high polish makes it popular in jewelry
and other decorative items. The chemical formula is
Na8Al6Si6O24Cl2.
The Sulfates
The carbonates
Rhodochrosite is a manganese carbonate mineral. Its
chemical composition is MnCO3. In its purest form it is a
transparent rose red, but this is fairly rare. It can also be
formed in stalactites. This form can be sliced revealing
circular layers of rose and pink to milky white. These lighter
colors are formed when the manganese is replaced by
calcium, manganese or zinc. The depth of color from red to
pink depends on the amount of substitution.
The Oxides
The Halides
The Sulfides
Galena has been mined for lead and silver since the time of
the Romans. It is a form of lead sulfide. The chemical formula
is PbS. It is the most important source of lead and is
abundant and widespread in occurance.
Phosphates
The Elements
The Mineraloids