Mineralogy

Minerals are naturally occurring solid

homogeneous substance which has
definite chemical composition and
definite atomic structure which is
formed by inorganic processes in
nature is called as mineral.
Minerals are divided in to two broad groups
1.Rock forming Minerals
2.Ore forming Minerals Rock forming
minerals Ore forming Minerals gives OreOre
forming minerals
Rock Forming Minerals- Which are found in
abundance in the rock it has classified in to
two groups

1)Primary minerals
2) Secondary minerals

1) Primary minerals: Those which are

crystallized directly from magma or lava
known as primary minerals. Eg. Granite, Qtz,
feldspars
many rocks component minerals are either
dark or light in color these are known as
essential minerals.
Light colored - Felsic group : the Felsic
group includes Quartz and Feldspars

Dark colored - Mafic group : The Mafic group

consists of the ferromagnesian silicates
such as Olivine, Pyroxene Amphiboles &
dark mica
 ) Secondary minerals
2

Secondary minerals are substances that

are formed from the alteration of primary
minerals. That means; secondary mineral
forms when primary minerals undergo
chemical and geological alterations such
as weathering and hydrothermal
alteration.

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Physical properties of
minerals
– Color
– Streak
– Luster
– Transparency
– Form
– Hardness
– Fracture
– Cleavage
– Density

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 Physical Properties of Minerals
Color
It depends upon the absorption and reflection
of colored vibration rays by the minerals. The
color of the minerals is depends upon the
amount of light is absorbed and reflected back
by the mineral.
Physical Properties of Minerals
Streak
The color of the mineral powder is
Streak. The streak is obtained by
rubbing the mineral against streak
plate. Physical Properties of
Minerals
 Physical Properties of Minerals
Luster
It is the shining present on
freshly broken surface of a
mineral. Luster can be
divided in to two types 1)
Metallic Luster: Shining like
metals Eg. Pyrite, Hematite,
Galena.
2) Non metallic Luster:
Vitreous, Pearly, Silky, Dull,
Glassy, Waxy Physical
Properties of Minerals
Physical Properties of Minerals
Hardness
It is defined as the resistance of minerals
abrasion or scratching. It can be tested by
finger nail-2, Glass plate-5 & Piece of
Quartz-7 Physical Properties of Minerals
 Physical Properties of Minerals
Cleavage The tendency of crystallized mineral
to break along certain definite directions
yielding more or less smooth, plane surface.
Physical Properties of Minerals
 Physical Properties of Minerals
Fracture It is the appearance of broken surface of
a mineral. The nature of a broken surface is
called Fracture Conchoidal Fracture: Broken
surface shows curved convex or concave Eg.
Quartz Even: Fracture surfaces are nearly flat or
smooth. Eg. Chert Uneven: Fracture surfaces are
rough or irregular Physical Properties of Minerals
 Physical Properties of Minerals
FORM- It is the internal atomic arrangement of a
mineral which is manifested outwardly by
development of geometrical shapes or crystal
characters.  CRYSTALLISED: Well defined
crystals with perfect cleavage indicative of perfect
atomic arrangement. Eg: Rock crystal 
 AMORPHOUS: Neither crystal nor cleavage.
Eg: Talc
 Physical Properties of Minerals
FORM:
Tabular:Eg-Orthoclase.
Elongated/Columnar: Eg-Rock Crystal
Bladed: Eg-Kyanite
Foliated: Eg-Muscovite
Fibrous: Eg-Gypsum
Radiating: Eg-Pyrites
Granular: Eg:-Chromites
Globular: Eg-Hematite
Reniform: Eg-Cavenzite`
Sp. Gravity & Chem. Composition • Specific
Gravity: Ratio of Mineral in air to Water. Eg.:
Quartz :
• Chemical Composition: Definite
Composition of Mineral. Eg. Rock Crystal :
R.SiO4
Different Mineral Groups to be studied
during Practical: • Silicate Mineral Group •
Allumino Silicate Group • Feldspar Group •
Mica Group • Zeolite Group • Ca Ba
Bearing Mineral Group • Ore Mineral Group
 Minerals Quartz

Quartz group (silica group) • Quartz appears in

hexagonal dipyramid form. • color- colourless •
Streak- color less • Cleavage- absent • Fracture-
uneven • Sp. gravity - 2.8 • Luster- vitreous • O.
prop.- piezoelectric • Identified from- hardness,
cleavage and crystal form • Other types-
 Rock crystal- colorless •
Amethyst- violet • Rose quartz-
rose color • Milky quartz-
milkyness is due to presence of
air cavity. • Smoky quartz- black
color • Agate • Jasper- red to
brown color, due to presence of
iron oxide particles. • Flint •
Occurrence- it is common
mineral in crustal layer of earth.
It is essential mineral in
sandstone. • Uses- in electrical
appliances.
 Civil Engineering Importance of Rock forming
minerals • Undoubtly, among different minerals
of economic minerals by virtue of their utility
and inherit values are very important. However
from civil engineering point of view, rock
forming minerals are very essential because •
The civil engineers need to know the properties
of rocks precisely to enable them to consider
different rocks for any required purpose i.e. as a
foundation rock, as a road metal, as concrete
aggregate, as building stones, as floorings, or
roofing minerals as decorative material.
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Civil Engineering Importance of Rock forming
minerals • Thus properties of rocks such as
strength, durability, and appearance of rock
can be assessed only with knowledge of the
minerals that form rock. The economic
minerals , since they are scare, do not
influence the properties of rocks and hence
irrelevant from civil engineering point of view.

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A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or
compound having an orderly internal structure and
characteristic chemical composition, crystal form, and physical
properties. Common minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica,
amphibole, olivine, and calcite.
.

Common rocks
include granite, A rock is an
basalt, limestone, aggregate of one
and sandstone. or more
minerals, or a
body of
undifferentiated
mineral matter