How Minerals Form

Crystallization Geode is a rounded, hollow rock that is often lined with mineral crystals. Crystals form inside a geode when water containing dissolved materials seep into a hollow of a rock. Crystallization is the process by which atoms are arranged to form a material with a crystal structure. Minerals generally form two ways: crystallization of molten material or crystallization of materials dissolved in water.

Minerals from magma and lava Magma is molten material from inside Earth that hardens to form rock. Lava is magma that reaches the surface. Lava also forms rock when it cools. Minerals form as hot magma cools inside Earth, or as lava hardens on the surface. When these liquids cool to a solid state, they form crystals. Size of crystal depends on rate at which magma cools. Magma deep below the surface cools slowly (thousands of years). This slow cooling leads to large crystals. Magma closer to the surface cools faster. With more rapid cooling, there is no time for magma to form large crystals. (forms small crystals)

Minerals from solutions Solution is a mixture in which one substance is dissolved in another. When elements and compounds that are dissolved in water leave a solution, crystallization occurs. Minerals can form this way underground and in bodies of water.

Minerals formed by evaporation Some minerals form when solutions evaporate. When you dissolve salt in water you get a solution, but if you allow the water in the solution to evaporate you would be left with salt crystals.

Minerals form hot water solutions Deep underground, magma can heat water to high temperature. Sometimes, the elements that form a mineral dissolve in this hot water. When the water begins to cool the elements leave the solution and crystallize as minerals. Metals that crystallize underground often form veins Vein is a narrow channel or slab of a mineral that is different from the surrounding rock. (think of Carmel swirl in vanilla ice cream)