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:ChlorineFluorineBromineIodine

Example: fluoriteCaF2

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

Sulfates Nitrates

Phosphates

Carbonates Sulfides

Beryl: Be3Al2(Si6O18) Chromite: FeCr2O4 Cryolite: Na3AlF6Gold: Au

Talc: Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2

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

Orthoclase: KAlSi3O8

Silver: Ag

Copper: Cu

Muscovite: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(OH)2

Corundum: Al2O3

Hematite: Fe2O3

Magnetite: Fe3O4

Halite: NaCl

Fluorite: CaF2

Sylvite: KCl

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

Lazulite: MgAl2(OH)2(PO4)2

Sulfur: S

Quartz: SiO2

Kaolinite: Al4(Si4O10)(OH)8

Ilmenite: FeTiO3

Rutile: TiO2

Calcite: CaCO3 Galena: PbSGypsum: CaSO4.2H2O

Dolomite: CaMg(CO3)2 Barite: BaSO4

Anhydrite: CaSO4

Sphalerite: ZnS

Pyrite: FeS2

Niter: KNO3

Epsomite: MgSO4.7H2O Bornite: Cu5FeS4

Siderite: FeCO3

Malachite: Cu2CO3(OH)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

Sulfur: S

Quartz: SiO2 Orthoclase: KAlSi3O8 Kaolinite: Al4(Si4O10)(OH)8

Ilmenite: FeTiO3 Rutile: TiO2 Chromite: FeCr2O4

Cryolite: Na3AlF6

Epsomite: MgSO4.7H2O

Bornite: Cu5FeS4 Siderite: FeCO3 Malachite: Cu2CO3(OH)2