1. Geology MINERALS
BE SURE TO READ THE NOTES !

2. Cubic Fluorite Crystal
What is a Mineral?
A naturally formed, inorganic solid with a definite crystal structure.
In order to be a mineral, you must be able to answer “yes” to all of the following questions:
Does it occur naturally?
Is it inorganic?
Does it have a crystal structure?
Is it made up of the same element (s) throughout?
no notes
Cubic Fluorite Crystal

3. Which is the real diamond?
Naturally Occurring
Minerals are not man-made.
For example, brass, bronze and aluminum are not considered minerals in that they are not found in nature.
Synthetic gemstones are not considered minerals. They are produced in laboratories, they do not meet the classic definition of a mineral.
The doped synthetic stones fluoresce brightly in ultra violet light (black light). But it is also true that some natural stones will fluoresce.

4. Real or Fake?
How To Tell If Your Diamond Is A Fake (Diamonds)

5. Barite Rose - A flower like growth of Barite crystals.
Is it inorganic?
Inorganic
Minerals are NOT produced by organic processes. As a result things like pearls, coral, and amber are not considered minerals.
Basically anything derived from something living is NOT considered a mineral.
Note about the photo: In this cluster of barite crystals the overall pattern is like that of a flower. Each crystal is analogous to a petal of the flower.
Barite Rose - A flower like growth of Barite crystals.

6. Does it have a crystal structure?
Made up of crystals that have a
repeating structure.
All minerals have a crystalline form.
Crystals form because the minerals are pure, or nearly pure elements.
There are many different types of chemical bonds. All of them rely on the characteristics of the electron configurations of the atoms that make them up. The basic bonds found in minerals are; covalent, ionic, and metallic. For further information about these bonds consult any basic chemistry textbook.
Crystalline Pattern of Halite
Red = Sodium
Green = Chlorine
Halite (salt) from Searles Lake, CA

7. Is it made up of the same element (s) throughout?
Halite - NaCl
For every atom of Sodium there is an atom of Chlorine.
Definite Chemical Composition
Minerals can be expressed by a chemical formula. The internal order of minerals means that there is a definite relationship in the number of atoms that makes up the mineral.
As another example, Calcite has the formula CaCO3. This means that within the basic structure of Calcite there is 1 Calcium atom, 1 Carbon atom and 3 Oxygen atoms. By the way the Carbon and the 3 Oxygen atoms are bonded covalently to form what is know as a radical or complex ion and the Calcium is attached to this complex ion by ionic bonding.

8. MINERALS MINERAL Naturally occurring Inorganic Solid
Ordered internal structure
Definite chemical composition

9. Is it a mineral?
Petroleum

10. Is it a mineral?
Gold

11. Is it a mineral?
Synthetic Diamonds

12. Is it a mineral?
Coal

13. Is it a mineral?
Silver

14. Is it a mineral?
Granite

15. Is it a mineral?
Steel

16. How do Minerals Form? Hot magma cooling inside the Earth.
Lava hardening outside, on the surface of the Earth.
Elements and compounds dissolving in water (solution).
Evaporation
Giant Crystal Cave | Cave of Giant Crystals | National Geographic Channel