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Six Common Rock-Forming Minerals
Six Common Rock-Forming Minerals
Common RockForming Minerals
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Six Common RockForming Minerals
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Published on Oct 23, 2014
The six minerals amphibole, feldspar, mica, olivine, pyroxene, and quartz are
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Six Common RockForming Minerals
1. 1. Page1 Six Common RockForming Minerals The six minerals amphibole, feldspar, mica, olivine,
pyroxene, and quartz are the most common rockforming minerals and are used as important tools in
classifying rocks, particularly igneous rocks. Except for quartz, all the minerals listed are actually mineral
groups. However, instead of trying to separate all the minerals which make up a group, which is often not
possible in the field, they are dealt with here as a single mineral with common characteristics. Quartz and
feldspar are lightcoloured minerals; mica, pyroxene, amphibole and olivine are darkcoloured. The colour
of a rock will be determined by the proportions of light and darkcoloured minerals present. If most of the
grains are quartz and feldspar then the overall appearance of the rock will be light, while the opposite will
be true if the minerals are mainly mica, pyroxene, amphibole or olivine. The colour of a rock with
between 25 and 50% dark minerals is intermediate. Common Rockforming Minerals Quartz Quartz
(Figure 2), which is usually called silica, is one of the most common minerals in the Earth's crust.
Quartz is made up of silicon dioxide (SiO2) Quartz crystals are usually hexagonal and prismatic in
shape. Pure quartz is colourless, although the presence of impurities may give a range of colours, such
as violet, pink and orange. Quartz is the raw material for making glass Figure 1 Quartz
2. 2. Page2 Plagioclase Feldspar Plagioclase feldspar (Figure 2) is sodium or calciumrich feldspar. The
chemical composition ranges from sodium aluminium silicate, NaAlSi3O8to calcium aluminium silicate,
CaAl2Si2O8. Plagioclase feldspar crystals usually occur as stubby prisms. Plagioclase feldspar is
generally white to grey and has vitreous lustre. Plagioclase feldspar is an important industrial mineral
used in ceramics Alkali Feldspar Alkali feldspar (Figure 3) is another member of the family of feldspar
minerals. Alkali feldspar (Potassium aluminium silicate (K,Na)AlSi3O8) are rich in alkali metal ions.
Alkali feldspar crystals usually occur as stubby prisms. Alkali feldspar is commonly pink to white.
Alkali feldspar is used as raw material to make porcelain. Micas Micas are a family of silicate minerals.
Micas are made up of varying amounts of potassium, magnesium, iron, as well as aluminium, silicon
and water. Micas form flat, booklike crystals that split into individual sheets, separating into smooth
flakes along the cleavage planes. They are common minerals in intrusive igneous rocks, and can also be
found in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. Biotite (Figure 4) is dark, black or brown mica;
muscovite (Figure 5) is lightcoloured or clear mica (next page). Figure 3 Alkali Feldspar Figure 4 Biotite
Figure 2 Plagioclase Feldspar
3. 3. Page3 Amphiboles Amphiboles are a family of silicate minerals. Amphibole minerals generally
contain iron, magnesium, calcium and aluminium as well as silicon, oxygen, and water. Amphiboles
form prismatic or needlelike crystals. Amphibole is a component of many igneous and metamorphic
rocks. Hornblende (Figure 6) is a common member of the amphibole group of rockforming minerals.
Pyroxene Pyroxenes (Figure 7) are a family of silicate minerals. Pyroxene minerals generally contain
magnesium, iron, calcium and aluminium as well as silicon and oxygen. Pyroxenes form short or
columnar prismatic crystals. Pyroxene is a component in many igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Pyroxene crystals are commonly faceted as gemstones. For instance, precious jade (jadeite) is a pyroxene.
Figure 5 Muscovite Figure 6 Hornblende Figure 7 Pyroxene
4. 4. Page4 Olivine Olivine (Figure 7) is a silicate mineral. Olivine ((Mg,Fe)2SiO4) contains iron and
magnesium. Olivine is a green, glassy mineral. Olivine is common in mafic and ultramafic rocks.
Clear and transparent olivine crystals are commonly faceted as gemstones Calcite Calcite (Figure 9) is a
carbonate mineral. Calcite is made up of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Calcite is generally white to
clear, and is easily scratched with knife. Calcite is a common sedimentary mineral that is the major
component of calcareous sedimentary rocks such as limestone. Metamorphism of limestone produces
marble. Figure 8 Olivine Figure 9 Calcite
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