GeologyGeology

MINERALSMINERALS

What is a Mineral?What is a Mineral?

Does it occur Does it occur naturally? naturally?

Is it inorganic?Is it inorganic? Does it have a crystal Does it have a crystal

structure? structure? Is it made up of the Is it made up of the

same element (s) same element (s) throughoutthroughout??

In order to be a mineral, you must be able to answer “yes” to all of the following questions:

Cubic Fluorite Crystal

A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a definite crystal structure.

Which is the real diamond?Which is the real diamond?

Minerals are not man-made.

For example, brass, bronze and aluminum are not considered minerals in that they are not found in nature.

Synthetic gemstones are not considered minerals. They are produced in laboratories, they do not meet the classic definition of a mineral.

Naturally Occurring

Real or Fake?Real or Fake?

How To Tell If Your Diamond Is A Fake (Diamonds)

Is it inorganic?Is it inorganic?

Minerals are NOT produced by organic processes. As a result things like pearls, coral, and amber are not considered minerals.

Barite Rose - A flower like growth of Barite crystals.

Inorganic

Does it have a crystal structure?Does it have a crystal structure?

Made up of crystals that have arepeating structure.

All minerals have a crystalline form. Crystals form because the minerals are pure, or nearly pure elements.

Crystalline Pattern of Halite

Red = Sodium

Green = Chlorine

Halite (salt) from Searles Lake, CA

Is it made up of the same element (s) Is it made up of the same element (s) throughoutthroughout??

Minerals can be expressed by a chemical formula. The internal order of minerals means that there is a definite relationship in the number of atoms that makes up the mineral.

Halite - NaCl

For every atom of Sodium there is an atom of Chlorine. Definite Chemical

Composition

MINERALSMINERALS

MINERALMINERAL

•Naturally occurringNaturally occurring•InorganicInorganic•SolidSolid•Ordered internal structureOrdered internal structure•Definite chemical compositionDefinite chemical composition

Is it a mineral?Is it a mineral?

PetroleumPetroleum

Is it a mineral? Is it a mineral?

GoldGold

Is it a mineral?Is it a mineral?

Synthetic DiamondsSynthetic Diamonds

Is it a mineral?Is it a mineral?

CoalCoal

Is it a mineral?Is it a mineral?

SilverSilver

Is it a mineral?Is it a mineral?

GraniteGranite

Is it a mineral?Is it a mineral?

SteelSteel

How do Minerals Form?How do Minerals Form?

Hot magma cooling inside the Earth.Hot magma cooling inside the Earth.

Lava hardening outside, on the Lava hardening outside, on the surface of the Earth.surface of the Earth.

Elements and compounds dissolving Elements and compounds dissolving in water (solution).in water (solution).

Evaporation Evaporation

Giant Crystal Cave | Cave of Giant Crystals | National Geographic Channel