Mineral classification 1

MINERAL CLASSIFICATION
How minerals are grouped


Classification
• Minerals are generally grouped or classified
based on their chemical composition.
• Most common system is the Dana system.
• Developed by Professor James Dana of
Yale University in 1848.


Mineral Composition
• Minerals are usually
compounds made of
the most common
elements in the crust


Silicates
 The largest group of
minerals
 Composed of:
 Metal + SiO2
 Example: topaz
Al2SiO4(F,OH)3


Carbonates
 The second largest
group of minerals

 Composed of:
 Metal + CO3
 Example: calcite

CaCO3


Oxides
 Composed of:
 Metal + O

 Example: magnetite

Fe3O4


Sulfates
 Composed of:
 Metal + SO4

 Example: barite

BaSO4


Halides
 Composed of:
 Metal + halogen

 Halogens include:

Chlorine
Fluorine
Bromine
Iodine

CaF2

Example: fluorite


Sulfides
 Composed of:
 Metal + S

 Example: chalcocite

Cu2S


Phosphates
 Composed of:
 Metal + PO4

 Example: Apatite

Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)


Nitrates
 Composed of:

 Metal + NO3

 Example: Niter

KNO3


Native Elements
 Composed of:
 A single element

 Example: Gold

Au


Instructions:
Place the names of the mineral groups across the top of your desk.
Place the minerals in the correct column based on the chemistry.


Here are the correct results


Native Elements

Silicates

Oxides

Halides

Phosphates

Apatite: Ca5(F,Cl,OH)(PO4)3

Gold: Au

Beryl: Be3Al2(Si6O18)

Chromite: FeCr2O4

Cryolite: Na3AlF6

Silver: Ag

Talc: Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2

Corundum: Al2O3

Halite: NaCl

Copper: Cu

Orthoclase: KAlSi3O8

Hematite: Fe2O3

Fluorite: CaF2

Sulfur: S

Muscovite: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2

Magnetite: Fe3O4

Sylvite: KCl

Quartz: SiO2

Ilmenite: FeTiO3

Kaolinite: Al4(Si4O10)(OH)8

Rutile: TiO2

Carbonates

Sulfates

Sulfides

Nitrates

Calcite: CaCO3

Gypsum: CaSO4.2H2O

Galena: PbS

Niter: KNO3

Dolomite: CaMg(CO3)2

Barite: BaSO4

Sphalerite: ZnS

Siderite: FeCO3

Anhydrite: CaSO4

Pyrite: FeS2

Malachite: Cu2CO3(OH)2

Epsomite: MgSO4.7H2O

Bornite: Cu5FeS4

Turquoise: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8.2H2O
Lazulite: MgAl2(OH)2(PO4)2


Directions on how to print the next slide for classroom use:
1.Follow these steps to print a copy of the mineral labels used by students in this activity.
2.Duplicate the sheet and cut along the lines.
3.Select “Print Preview” option on print menu.
4.Select “slides” on Print What menu.
5.Select “Print” on print menu.

6.Choose page 17 to print and on the Options menu choose “black and white”.


Native Elements

Gold: Au

Silver: Ag

Copper: Cu

Silicates

Beryl: Be3Al2(Si6O18)

Muscovite: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2

Talc: Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2

Oxides

Corundum: Al2O3

Hematite: Fe2O3

Magnetite: Fe3O4

Carbonates

Calcite: CaCO3

Dolomite: CaMg(CO3)2

Halides

Halite: NaCl

Fluorite: CaF2

Sylvite: KCl

Sulfates

Barite: BaSO4

Gypsum: CaSO4.2H2O

Anhydrite: CaSO4

Sulfides

Galena: PbS

Sphalerite: ZnS

Pyrite: FeS2

Nitrates

Niter: KNO3

Phosphates

Apatite: Ca5(F,Cl,OH)(PO4)3

Turquoise: CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8.2H2O

Lazulite: MgAl2(OH)2(PO4)2

Quartz: SiO2

Orthoclase: KAlSi3O8

Kaolinite: Al4(Si4O10)(OH)8

Ilmenite: FeTiO3

Rutile: TiO2

Chromite: FeCr2O4

Siderite: FeCO3

Malachite: Cu 2CO3(OH)2

Sulfur: S

Cryolite: Na3AlF6

Epsomite: MgSO4.7H2O

Bornite: Cu5FeS4