OLIVINE

(Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄
Olivine is used mainly as a slag conditioner in industrial applications. In blast furnaces,
high-magnesium olivine (forsterite) is added to remove impurities from steel and to form slag.
As a refractory component, Olivine has also been used. Used as a casting sand, it is used to
manufacture refractory brick.
PYROXENE
XY(Si,Al)2O6
They are a significant component of several decorative building stones that add to the decorative
pattern of the stones with their dark green to black colors. As an important source of lithium,
spodumene is mined, used in ceramics and is often valued as a gemstone. Jadeite is one of two
minerals commonly referred to as jade.
HORNBLENDE
(Ca,Na)2(Mg,Fe,Al)5 (Al,Si) 8 O22 (OH)2
In determining the extent of crystallization of plutonic rocks, Hornblende was used. Low
aluminum content is associated with deeper crystallization depths, with higher aluminum content
being associated with higher crystallization depths. This method is important for analyzing
magma crystallization and also valuable for mineral exploration.
BIOTITE
K(Mg,Fe)₃AlSi₃O₁₂
By either potassium-argon dating or argon-argon dating, biotite is used widely to limit rock ages.
Because argon quickly escapes at high temperatures from the biotite crystal structure, these
approaches can only supply several rocks with minimal ages.
FELDSPAR
KAlSi3O8 – NaAlSi3O8 – CaAl2Si2O8 
In the glass and ceramic manufacturing, Feldspars are typically used. Alumina from feldspar
enhances product hardness, toughness, and resistance to chemical corrosion in glassmaking.
Feldspars fulfill a significant role as fluxing agents in the manufacturing of ceramics and glass
and are also used in the paint, plastic, rubber and adhesive industries as usable fillers.
QUARTZ
SiO2
In sandpaper, quartz is used as an abrasive, silica sand is used in sandblasting, and whole
sandstone is still used to produce whetstones, millstones, and grindstones. In optics, silica glass,
also called fused quartz, is used for the transmission of ultraviolet light.
MAGNETITE
Fe2+Fe3+2O4
Fine dried magnetite, made from natural iron oxide, is used as a sand additive in foundries to
avoid cast metal surface defects. For heat storage or as an iron supply for iron catalysts is another
use in the natural mineral.
PYRITE
FeS2
Pyrite is used for sulphur dioxide production for the paper industry. Production of sulphuric acid
for the chemical and fertilization industries. The gold, copper or other elements associated with it
are most mined for pyrite.
SPHALARITE
(Zn,Fe)S
Sphalerite is used in galvanized iron, brass and batteries for industrial purposes. While sphalerite
could be used because of its shine in jewelry, it is very soft, making it not very suitable for
wearing. It is also hard to cut precisely. For this reason, the polished version is always an uncut
stone that collectors are very interested in.
REFERENCES:
Rock-forming Minerals. (2019, May 06). Retrieved December 01, 2020, from
https://geologyglasgow.org.uk/local-rocks/rock-forming-minerals/
Chemical Properties of Minerals - The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom. (n.d.). Retrieved
December 01, 2020, from https://www.minerals.net/resource/chemical_properties.aspx