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

Learn about the classification of minerals based on their chemical composition and internal structure, including the Dana and Strunz systems. Explore the study of crystallography, including crystal lattice and crystal systems.