WELCOME TO THE GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE presented by: Susan Celestian - Curator of the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum Stan Celestian - Photographer MINERAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM © copyright 2002

Crystals………………………………….…4 Isometric……………………………….…..6 Hexagonal……………………………….…10 Tetragonal………………………………….14 Orthorhombic…………………………..….18 Monoclinic………………………………...23 Triclinic……………………………………26 Resources………………………………….29 TABLE OF CONTENTS This is the second part of Mineral Identification Program

Introduction to Mineral Identification Basics Welcome to the fascinating world of Minerals. The purpose of this CD is to present you with some of the basic techniques used to identify minerals. This Power Point Presentation can also be viewed in the “edit” mode. Here you can view the many notes associated with the slides.

Mineral Identification Basics PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CRYSTALS A CRYSTAL is the outward form of the internal structure of the mineral. The 6 basic crystal systems are: ISOMETRIC HEXAGONAL TETRAGONAL ORTHORHOMBIC MONOCLINIC TRICLINIC Drusy Quartz on Barite

Mineral Identification Basics PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CRYSTALS CRYSTAL SYSTEMS are divided into 6 main groups. ISOMETRIC - Fluorite Crystals The first group is the ISOMETRIC. This literally means “equal measure” and refers to the equal size of the crystal axes.

Mineral Identification Basics ISOMETRIC CRYSTALS ISOMETRIC In this crystal system there are 3 axes. Each has the same length (as indicated by the same letter “a”). They all meet at mutual 90 o angles in the center of the crystal. Crystals in this system are typically blocky or ball-like. ISOMETRIC Basic Cube a3 a2 a1

Mineral Identification Basics ISOMETRIC CRYSTALS ISOMETRIC Crystal Model Within this ISOMETRIC crystal model is the OCTAHEDRAL crystal form (yellow) and the TETRAHEDRAL crystal form (shown by the black lines).

Mineral Identification Basics ISOMETRIC CRYSTALS ISOMETRIC - Basic Cube a1 a3 a2 a3 a2 a1 Fluorite cube with crystal axes.

Mineral Identification Basics ISOMETRIC BASIC CRYSTAL SHAPES Octahedron Spinel Cube Fluorite Pyrite Cube with Pyritohedron Striations Trapezohedron Garnet Garnet - Dodecahedron

Mineral Identification Basics HEXAGONAL CRYSTALS HEXAGONAL - Three horizontal axes meeting at angles of 120 o and one perpendicular axis. a1 a2 a3 HEXAGONAL Crystal Axes c

Mineral Identification Basics HEXAGONAL CRYSTALS HEXAGONAL Crystal Model HEXAGONAL This model represents a hexagonal PRISM (the outside hexagon - six sided shape). The top and bottom faces are called PINACOIDS and are perpendicular to the vertical “c” axis. Within this model is the SCALENOHEDRAL form. Each face is a scalenohedron. Calcite often crystallizes with this form.

Mineral Identification Basics HEXAGONAL CRYSTALS These hexagonal CALCITE crystals nicely show the six sided prisms as well as the basal pinacoid.

Mineral Identification Basics HEXAGONAL CRYSTALS RHOMBOHEDRON Dolomite SCALENOHEDRON Rhodochrosite Quartz Hanksite Pyramid Face Prism Faces Pyramid Faces Vanadinite

Mineral Identification Basics TETRAGONAL CRYSTALS TETRAGONAL Two equal, horizontal, mutually perpendicular axes (a1, a2) Vertical axis (c) is perpendicular to the horizontal axes and is of a different length. TETRAGONAL Crystal Axes a1 a2 c c a1 This is an Alternative Crystal Axes

Mineral Identification Basics TETRAGONAL CRYSTALS TETRAGONAL Crystal Model TETRAGONAL This model shows a tetragonal PRISM enclosing a DIPYRAMID.

Mineral Identification Basics TETRAGONAL CRYSTALS WULFENITE Same crystal seen edge on.

Mineral Identification Basics TETRAGONAL CRYSTALS APOPHYLLITE on Stilbite This is the same Apophyllite crystal looking down the “c” axis. The red square shows the position of the pinacoid (perpendicular to the “c” axis).

Mineral Identification Basics ORTHORHOMBIC CRYSTALS ORTHORHOMBIC Three mutually perpendicular axes of different lengths. ORTHORHMOBIC Crystal Axes a b c a c b An Alternative Crystal Axes Orientation

Mineral Identification Basics ORTHORHOMBIC CRYSTALS ORTHORHMOBIC Crystal Model ORTHORHOMBIC This model shows the alternative axes where the vertical “c” axis is not the longest axis. The model shows the outside “brick” shape of the PRISM and the inner shape is a DIPYRAMID. The top and bottom faces are called PINACOIDS and are perpendicular to the “c” axis.

Mineral Identification Basics ORTHORHOMBIC CRYSTALS Topaz from Topaz Mountain, Utah.

Mineral Identification Basics ORTHORHOMBIC CRYSTALS BARITE is also orthorhombic. The view above is looking down the “c” axis of the crystal.

Mineral Identification Basics ORTHORHOMBIC CRYSTALS STAUROLITE Prism View Pinacoid View

Mineral Identification Basics ORTHORHOMBIC CRYSTALS This is a Staurolite TWIN with garnets attached.

Mineral Identification Basics MONOCLINIC CRYSTALS MONOCLINIC In this crystal form the axes are of unequal length. Axes a and b are perpendicular. Axes b and c are perpendicular. But a and c make some oblique angle and with each other. MONOCLINIC Crystal Axes a b c

Mineral Identification Basics MONOCLINIC CRYSTALS MONOCLINIC Crystal Model MONOCLINIC In this model the outside shape is the PRISM. It looks like a distorted brick - flattened out of shape. Inside is the DIPYRAMID.

Mineral Identification Basics MONOCLINIC CRYSTALS Gypsum Mica Orthoclase Top View

Mineral Identification Basics TRICLINIC CRYSTALS TRICLINIC In this system, all of the axes are of different lengths and none are perpendicular to any of the others. TRICLINIC Crystal Axes a b c

Mineral Identification Basics TRICLINIC CRYSTALS TRICLINIC Crystal Model TRICLINIC Again in this model the outside shape is the PRISM. Located within the prism is the DIPYRAMID.

Mineral Identification Basics TRICLINIC CRYSTALS Microcline, variety Amazonite

Mineral Identification RESOURCES For lots of useful images of minerals and more facts about minerals, check out this web site:

This copyrighted Power Point CD was produced strictly for educational purposes. Any attempt at using the images within this program for monetary gain is illegal. The authors have given permission to use the program or parts of it, provided credit is given to the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, its Curator - Susan Celestian and the photographer - Stan Celestian. THE END