1. Minerals The Geologic Alphabet

2. Definition of a Mineral Natural Solid Inorganic Crystalline Structure Chemical Compound Source: E. R. Degginger/Bruce Coleman Inc.

3. Mineral Formation Primary 1.Crystallize out of a magma 2.Crystallize out of water Secondary 3.Chemical Weathering 4.Metamorphism Form Igneous Rocks Form Metamorphic Rocks Form Sedimentary Rocks

4. Physical Properties of Minerals A. Mineral Shape

5. Crystal Form Source: Jeffrey Scovil

6. Fracture Conchoidal (“shell-like”)

7. Mineral Cleavage 3 planes; angle 90° Source: Ed Degginger/Bruce Coleman Inc. Halite 1 2 3

8. Mineral Cleavage 1 plane; angle N/A Source: Breck P. Kent 1 Muscovite

9. Mineral Cleavage 4 planes; not 90° Fluorite 1 2 3 4

10. Physical Properties of Minerals B. Mineral Appearance

11. Color

12. Quartz Color Quartz Powder

13. Streak (Powder Color) Source: Breck P. Kent Hematite

14. Luster Metallic Highly reflected and “metal colored” Nonmetallic Varies Vitreous Shines like glass Pearly Whitish iridescence (like a pearl) Resinous Dull shine (like wax) Earthy (Dull) Surface doesn’t reflect light

15. Metallic Luster Source: E. R. Degginger/Earth Scenes Silver

16. Nonmetallic Luster Vitreous Quartz

17. Nonmetallic Luster Earthy (Dull) Source: Breck P. Kent Realgar

18. Optical Properties 1.Opaque 2.Translucent 3.Transparent

19. Petrologic Microscope Biotite in white light

20. Polarized Light Olivine Quartz

21. Polarized Light - Calcite

22. Physical Properties of Minerals C. Mineral Strength/Density

23. Mohs Hardness Scale

24. Specific Gravity (Density)

25. Physical Properties of Minerals D. Other Properties

26. Reaction to HCl Magnetism Taste Smell Feel

27. Striations & Banding

28. Fluorescence - White light

29. Source: Breck P. Kent Fluorescence - UV light

30. Piezoelectricity

31. Gems

32. Mineral Families

33. Native ElementsOxides Hematite Sulfides Pyrite Sulfates Gypsum Diamond

34. Halides Halite

35. Carbonates Calcite

36. Silicates: Silicon- Oxygen Tetrahedron

37. Important Silicates Feldspars Quartz Micas Orthoclase Muscovite Olivine

38. Mafic Minerals Low Silica (Mg, Fe) vs. Felsic Minerals High Silica (Al, K) Color Dark Colored (including black & green) Light Colored (including white, tan, orange) Density Heavy weight Light weight

39. Mineral Families Native Elements Contain 1 element Oxides Bonded with oxygen (O) * Carbonates Bonded with carbon (C) and oxygen (O) Sulfides Bonded with sulfur (S) Sulfates Bonded with sulfur (S) and oxygen (O) * Silicates Bonded with silicon (Si) and oxygen (O) * Halides “Salts”

40. Hydrous Minerals Contain Water Gypsum Clay Minerals Biotite