Mineral Classification

In case you havent figured it

out!

Minerals are classified by

chemical composition

1. Minerals with the same anion or

anionic group have unmistakable
family resemblances. For example,
the carbonates resemble each other
more closely than say the minerals of
Cu.
2. They occur together in nature, for
example, it is very common to find
both calcite and dolomite in the same
rocks.
3. It agrees with the naming of
inorganic compounds in chemistry.

And at the next level

Once minerals have been grouped

by chemical composition, they can
be further separated into groups
on the basis of internal structure.

Native Elements

Metals
Semi Metals
Non Metals

Sulfides

Including sulfarsenides; arsenides

and tellurides

Sulfosalts

In these minerals, As and Sb play a

role more akin to metals than
anions. Many important Ag
minerals are sulfosalts.

Oxides

a) simple and multiple where O

combines with one or metals
(cations)

Simple
Multiple

b) hydroxides with OH- group and

H2O molecules

Halides

these minerals have Cl, Br, F, and I

as anions

Carbonates

Based on the carbonate radical

Hexagonal; orthorhombic; and
monoclinic
You have examples of all three!

Nitrates

NO3 radical

Only 7 known minerals

Borates
(BO3)-3 can form polymers--about
100 known minerals
So are they iso, meso, or aniso
desmic?

Phosphates

(PO4)-3 are usually hydrous as well

Sulfates

(SO4)-2 can be hydrous or

anhydrous

Tungstates (WO4)

-2

scheelite and wolframite are both

ore minerals for W

Silicates (SiO4)

-4

The most important group of

minerals!!

Nesosilicates
Sorosilicates
Cyclosilicates
Inosilicates
Phyllosilicates
Tectosilicates

Why can they form so

many structures?

Mesodesmic

Remember this term?

Nesosilicates

Sorosilicates

Cyclosilicates

Inosilicates

Phyllosilicates

Tectosilicates

What is the best way for

you to remember formulas

General formulas!!
Next time