SSolidolidCannot be a liquid or a gasCannot be a liquid or a gas

NNaturally Occurringaturally OccurringFound in nature, not man-madeFound in nature, not man-made

IInorganicnorganic Is not alive and never was, non-livingIs not alive and never was, non-living

FFixed compositionixed compositionHas a chemical formula, most are formed from Has a chemical formula, most are formed from

compounds of two or more elements, some minerals compounds of two or more elements, some minerals consist of one element ex. Auconsist of one element ex. Au

CCrystal Formrystal FormA definite structure in which atoms are arrangedA definite structure in which atoms are arranged

A mineral is a naturally A mineral is a naturally formed, inorganic solid formed, inorganic solid that has a definite that has a definite crystalline structure.crystalline structure.

Is it non-living material?Is it non-living material?Is it a solid?Is it a solid?Is it formed in nature?Is it formed in nature?Does it have a crystalline structure?Does it have a crystalline structure?

Wood

Gold

Fossil

Topaz

Bones

Granite

Quartz

Pearls

Talc

Icebergs

Diamond

Coal

Rock Salt

MineralsMinerals

a)a) GoldGoldb)b) TopazTopazc)c) QuartzQuartzd)d) TalcTalce)e) Iceberg*Iceberg*f)f) DiamondsDiamonds

Non-MineralsNon-Minerals

a)a) Wood - once livingWood - once livingb)b) Fossils – once livingFossils – once livingc)c) Bone - living materialBone - living materiald)d) Granite - intrusive igneous Granite - intrusive igneous

rock rock e)e) Pearls – made by oystersPearls – made by oystersf)f) Coal - Sedimentary rockCoal - Sedimentary rockg)g) Rock Salt – Sedimentary rockRock Salt – Sedimentary rock

According to IMA – ice is listed as a mineral. Why?

SilicatesSilicatesContains Silicon (Si) Contains Silicon (Si)

and Oxygen (O)and Oxygen (O)90% of Earth’s crust90% of Earth’s crustCombine with Combine with

elements such as Al, elements such as Al, Fe, Mg, and KFe, Mg, and K

NonsilicatesNonsilicates Do not contain Do not contain

combinations of Si and Ocombinations of Si and O May contain C, O, F, SMay contain C, O, F, S Classes of NonsilicatesClasses of Nonsilicates

Native Elements: Au, Cu, AgNative Elements: Au, Cu, Ag Oxides : Al or Fe combine Oxides : Al or Fe combine

with Owith O Carbonates: C + OCarbonates: C + O Sulfates: S + OSulfates: S + O Halides: F, Cl, I, or Br Halides: F, Cl, I, or Br

combine with Na, K, or Cacombine with Na, K, or Ca Sulfides: Pb, Fe, Ni, Sulfides: Pb, Fe, Ni,

combine with Scombine with S

Color – the same mineral can Color – the same mineral can come in a variety of colors, not come in a variety of colors, not reliablereliable

Luster – the way in which a mineral Luster – the way in which a mineral reflects lightreflects lightMetallic - opaque and reflective, like metalMetallic - opaque and reflective, like metalSubmetallic - to nearly opaque and reflect Submetallic - to nearly opaque and reflect

wellwellNonmetallic - not looking like a metal at allNonmetallic - not looking like a metal at all

Vitreous - glassyVitreous - glassySilky - fibrousSilky - fibrousResinous – yellow, dark orange, brownResinous – yellow, dark orange, brownWaxyWaxyPearly – like inside a molluskPearly – like inside a molluskEarthy – dull, looks like dirt or clayEarthy – dull, looks like dirt or clay

Streak – the color of the mineral Streak – the color of the mineral in a powdered formin a powdered form

Cleavage – when minerals break Cleavage – when minerals break along a smooth, flat surfacealong a smooth, flat surface

Fracture – when minerals break Fracture – when minerals break unevenly along a curved or unevenly along a curved or irregularirregular surfacesurface

Hardness – a minerals resistance Hardness – a minerals resistance to being scratchedto being scratchedMoh’s Scale of Hardness 1 - 10Moh’s Scale of Hardness 1 - 10

Density – how much matter is in a Density – how much matter is in a given amount of spacegiven amount of space

Special PropertiesSpecial PropertiesFluorescence – glow under ultraviolet Fluorescence – glow under ultraviolet

lightlightChemical Reaction – fizzes with acid testChemical Reaction – fizzes with acid testOptical Properties – double image Optical Properties – double image

formedformedMagnetism – magnetic, attract ironMagnetism – magnetic, attract ironTaste – saltyTaste – saltyRadioactivity – radium or uranium Radioactivity – radium or uranium

containedcontained