Mineral Classification and Crystallography

Mineral Classification

• Minerals are classified based on their chemical composition and internal structure
• Dana Classification System: dividing minerals into 8 classes based on anion group (e.g. oxides, silicates, phosphates)
• Strunz Classification System: dividing minerals into 10 classes based on chemical composition and internal structure

Crystallography

• Study of the internal structure of minerals
• Crystal lattice: 3D arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules
• Crystal systems: 7 systems that describe the symmetry of crystals (e.g. isometric, tetragonal, orthorhombic)
• Miller indices: notation system to describe the orientation of crystal faces

Geochemistry

• Study of the chemical composition of the Earth and its processes
• Geochemical cycles: study of the movement of elements through the Earth's systems (e.g. water, carbon, oxygen)
• Isotopes: atoms of the same element with different atomic masses
• Geochemical signatures: unique chemical characteristics of rocks, minerals, or fluids

Mineral Properties

• Physical properties:
  • Optical properties (e.g. color, luster, streak)
  • Electrical properties (e.g. conductivity, magnetism)
  • Mechanical properties (e.g. hardness, cleavage, fracture)
• Chemical properties:
  • Chemical composition
  • Reactivity with acids or other substances
• Diagnostic properties: characteristics used to identify minerals (e.g. fluorescence, radioactivity)

Economic Geology

• Study of the economic significance of minerals and rocks
• Ore deposits: concentrations of valuable minerals (e.g. metals, gemstones)
• Mineral resources: deposits that are economically viable to extract
• Mineral reserves: deposits that are legally and economically available for extraction
• Environmental impact: study of the effects of mining and extraction on the environment

Mineral Classification

• Minerals are classified based on their chemical composition and internal structure
• The Dana Classification System divides minerals into 8 classes based on anion group, including oxides, silicates, and phosphates
• The Strunz Classification System divides minerals into 10 classes based on chemical composition and internal structure

Crystallography

• Crystallography is the study of the internal structure of minerals
• A crystal lattice is a 3D arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules
• There are 7 crystal systems that describe the symmetry of crystals, including isometric, tetragonal, and orthorhombic
• Miller indices are a notation system used to describe the orientation of crystal faces

Geochemistry

• Geochemistry is the study of the chemical composition of the Earth and its processes
• Geochemical cycles involve the study of the movement of elements through the Earth's systems, such as water, carbon, and oxygen
• Isotopes are atoms of the same element with different atomic masses
• Geochemical signatures are unique chemical characteristics of rocks, minerals, or fluids

Mineral Properties

• Physical properties of minerals include optical properties (e.g. color, luster, streak), electrical properties (e.g. conductivity, magnetism), and mechanical properties (e.g. hardness, cleavage, fracture)
• Chemical properties of minerals include chemical composition and reactivity with acids or other substances
• Diagnostic properties of minerals are characteristics used to identify them, such as fluorescence, radioactivity, and magnetic properties

Economic Geology

• Economic geology is the study of the economic significance of minerals and rocks
• Ore deposits are concentrations of valuable minerals, such as metals and gemstones
• Mineral resources are deposits that are economically viable to extract
• Mineral reserves are deposits that are legally and economically available for extraction
• The environmental impact of mining and extraction is a significant consideration in economic geology