Types of MineralsChapter 4.2

Mineral Groups

• Silicates – Minerals that contain oxygen and silicon– Make up 96% of the minerals present on the

Earth’s crust– Basic building block is silica tetrahedron• Geometric solid having four sides that are equilateral

triangles• Combines in different ways to form different minerals

– Silicates have strong bonds • Bonds determine the mineral’s cleavage or fracture• Create complex 3 dimensional figures or sheets

– mica

Carbonates

• Minerals composed of one or more metallic elements and the carbonate ion CO3

2- • Primary minerals found in rocks like limestone

and marble

Other groups

• Oxides – Compounds of oxygen and a metal– Magnetite and Hematite

• Sulfides – Combination of Sulfur and one or more elements– Pyrite

• Native element– Made up of one element only– Silver, gold, copper, etc.

Mineral Economics

• Ores – Mineral that contains a valuable substance that

can be mined at a profit• Hematite contains iron• Bauxite contains aluminum

Gems

• Valuable minerals that are prized for their rarity and beauty– Hard and scratch resistant– Rubies and emeralds are more valuable than

diamonds because of their rareness

• Trace elements can make one mineral more valuable than others– Amethyst is the gem form of quartz• Has the trace element of iron, giving it a purple hue