Mineral Groupings

Minerals and the Earth There are 8 elements that make up 98.5% of the Earth’s crust. They are: 1.Oxygen 2.Silicon 3.Aluminum 4.Iron 5.Calcium 6.Sodium 7.Potassium 8.Magnesium

Mineral Groupings There are 2 groupings of minerals that we need to know: 1.Silicates 2.Non-Silicates

Silicate Silicates minerals contain the elements Silicon and Oxygen. They are the largest of the 2 mineral groups Make up 60% of Earth’s crust. Two most abundant silicates are Quartz and Feldspar

Non-Silicates Non-Silicates do not contain silicon and oxygen. Some examples are Calcite and Dolomite.

Native Minerals Native Minerals are minerals that contain only one element. For Example copper and gold

Crystal Growth in Minerals For minerals to grow into large perfect crystals, they need room to grow. Without the proper room to grow, the crystal will not form properly. EX: Diamonds

Mineral Definitions Phosphorescence – when a mineral glows after being removed from light. Magnetism – a magnetic mineral Density – how tightly packed the molecules are Radioactive – giving off subatomic particles Double refraction – splitting of light rays to form two images

Mineral Facts There are 3000 known minerals in Earth’s crust. Of these 3000, 8 make up 90% of the crust.