1. Types of Minerals
Chapter 4
Section 2

2. Mineral Groups Silicates Minerals that contain silicon and oxygen
Make up 96% of minerals in Earth’s crust
Tetrahedron
Building block of silicates
Geometric solid having four sides that are equilateral triangles
Resemble a pyramid
Silica tetrahedra has one silica atom and 4 oxygen atoms
Silica tetrahedron can form in a variety of combinations
Accounts for the large diversity of silicate minerals.

3. Silica tetrahedron

4. Silicates Individual tetrahedra are strongly bonded
Sheets
Chains
Complex three-dimensional structures
Bonds determine the
fracture or cleavage properties
Weak ionic bonds break along sheets- mica

5. Carbonates
Minerals composed of one or more metallic elements and the carbonate ion CO32-.
Examples:
Calcite
Dolomite
Rhodochrosite
Found mostly in rocks such as limestone and marble
Have distinctive colorations

6. Carbonates
Calcite
Dolomite

7. Rhodochrisite

8. Oxides Compounds of oxygen and metals
Hematite and Magnetite common iron oxides
Uranitite- source of uranium
Hematite
Magnetite
Uranitite

9. Other Groups Sulfides Sulfates Halides Native elements
Pyrite (fool’s gold)
Sulfur and one or more elements
Sulfates
Anhydrite
Sulfate ion and other elements
Halides
Halite
Chloride and fluoride along with calcium
Native elements
Silver, or copper
Made of one element only

10. Economic Minerals Ore Gems A mineral is an ore if it has value.
As soon as the value is gone, it is no longer an ore
Gems
Valuable minerals that are prized for their rarity and beauty.
Very hard and scratch resistant
Emeralds, rubies, diamonds
Polished and use for jewelry
Platinum ore