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Mineralogy and Its Diverse Classes

Exploring the diverse world of mineralogy, this overview delves into orthosilicates and their role in igneous and metamorphic rocks, native elements like gold and diamond, and the varied properties of sulfides, oxides, and halides. It also covers carbonates and sulfates found in sedimentary rocks, as well as phosphates and organic minerals essential for life.

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1

Orthosilicates stoichiometry

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SiO₄ tetrahedron, each Si atom with 4 O atoms, isolated structure.

2

Olivine group composition range

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From forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) to fayalite (Fe₂SiO₄), found in mafic and ultramafic rocks.

3

Garnet general formula and variability

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X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃, where X and Y are metal cations, indicating diverse mineral composition.

4

The mineral ______ is recognized for its distinctive cross-shaped ______ and is a product of metamorphism.

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Staurolite twinning

5

______, a gemstone, can be typically found in ______ and has the formula Al₂SiO₄(F, OH)₂.

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Topaz pegmatites

6

The orthosilicate subclass includes minerals like ______ (Mn₂SiO₄), which add to the group's ______.

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tephroite diversity

7

Orthosilicate minerals are utilized in various fields such as ______, due to their distinct physical and chemical properties.

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gemology

8

Examples of metallic native elements

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Gold, silver, copper - exhibit metallic luster, malleability, ductility.

9

Native semi-metals and non-metals examples

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Sulfur, carbon - occur in native form, distinct from metals.

10

Allotropes of native carbon

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Graphite - soft, lubricant; Diamond - hardest natural material, forms in high-pressure.

11

______ minerals combine sulfur with metals, yielding sources of lead, zinc, and copper.

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Sulfide

12

Minerals like hematite and goethite are categorized as ______ based on metal to oxygen ratios.

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oxide

13

The ______ group is an example of complex oxides.

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spinel

14

______ minerals, including halite and fluorite, originate from halogen elements and metals.

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Halide

15

Halide minerals like NaCl and CaF₂ are typically found in ______ deposits.

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evaporite

16

Due to their solubility in water, halide minerals are known for their ______ hardness.

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low

17

Carbonate ion composition

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CO₃²⁻; central carbon atom bonded to three oxygen atoms, carries a -2 charge.

18

Calcite vs. Aragonite

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Both CaCO₃; calcite is stable at Earth's surface, aragonite is metastable and transforms to calcite over time.

19

Reaction of carbonates with acids

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Carbonates react with acids to produce CO₂, H₂O, and a salt; this reaction contributes to karst landscape formation.

20

______ minerals contain the phosphate ion and are essential for creating vertebrate ______ and ______.

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Phosphate teeth bones

21

The mineral ______ is an example of an ______ mineral and is acknowledged by the ______ as a separate mineral class.

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whewellite organic International Mineralogical Association

22

The ______ updates its mineral classification system to incorporate new findings and ______ based on chemical composition and other factors.

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IMA research

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Orthosilicates: Fundamental Building Blocks in Mineralogy

Orthosilicates, or nesosilicates, form a fundamental group of silicate minerals where each silicon atom is surrounded by four oxygen atoms, creating an isolated tetrahedron with a stoichiometry of SiO₄. These tetrahedra do not share oxygen atoms with each other, distinguishing orthosilicates from other silicate structures. Commonly found in igneous and metamorphic rocks, orthosilicates include diverse minerals such as the olivine and garnet groups. Olivine minerals, ranging from forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄) to fayalite (Fe₂SiO₄), are essential in mafic and ultramafic rocks. Garnets, with a general formula of X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃, where X and Y can be various metal cations, are important in both metamorphic processes and as gemstones. Aluminosilicates, such as kyanite, andalusite, and sillimanite (Al₂SiO₅), are polymorphs that differ in their crystal structures and are used as indicators of the pressure and temperature conditions during rock formation.
Collection of colorful minerals on a dark surface, with crystals of green orthosilicate, native gold, galena, pyrite, cinnabar, corundum, magnetite, hematite, halogens and carbonates.

The Rich Variety of Orthosilicate Minerals

The orthosilicate subclass encompasses a wide array of minerals with significant geological and economic importance. Zircon (ZrSiO₄), for instance, is invaluable in dating geological events due to its uranium content and robustness against metamictization. Staurolite, a metamorphic mineral, is known for its characteristic cross-shaped twinning. Topaz (Al₂SiO₄(F, OH)₂), often found in pegmatites, is prized as a gemstone. Other orthosilicates, such as tephroite (Mn₂SiO₄), contribute to the diversity of this mineral class. Each orthosilicate mineral has unique physical properties, crystal structures, and chemical compositions, which make them useful for various applications, including gemology, industrial uses, and as indicators of geological environments.

Native Elements: Metals, Semi-metals, and Non-metals in Pure Form

Native elements are minerals composed of a single chemical element or type of atom. This group includes metals like gold, silver, and copper, which exhibit a metallic luster and are malleable and ductile due to the presence of metallic bonds. Semi-metals and non-metals, such as sulfur and carbon, also occur in native form. Native elements are classified based on their physical and chemical properties into several groups, including the gold group, the platinum group metals, and the iron-nickel group, which are often found in meteorites. Native carbon is represented by two allotropes: graphite, which is soft and used as a lubricant, and diamond, the hardest known natural material, formed under high-pressure conditions in the Earth's mantle.

Sulfides, Oxides, and Halides: Diverse Mineral Classes with Varied Properties

Sulfide minerals, composed of sulfur combined with metals or semi-metals, are typically dense, metallic-looking, and are important sources of metals such as lead, zinc, and copper. Oxide minerals are classified based on their metal to oxygen ratios and include simple oxides like hematite (Fe₂O₃), hydroxides such as goethite (FeO(OH)), and complex oxides like the spinel group. Halide minerals, formed from halogen elements with metals, are often found in evaporite deposits and include halite (NaCl) and fluorite (CaF₂). These minerals are characterized by their solubility in water, relatively low hardness, and their formation through precipitation from evaporating brines.

Carbonates and Sulfates: Minerals with Characteristic Anionic Groups

Carbonate minerals are characterized by the carbonate ion (CO₃²⁻) and are common in sedimentary rocks, forming through biological and inorganic processes. Calcite (CaCO₃) and aragonite, its polymorph, are widespread carbonates that react with acids to produce carbon dioxide, a reaction that plays a significant role in shaping karst landscapes. Dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) is another important carbonate mineral. Sulfate minerals, containing the sulfate ion (SO₄²⁻), are typically found in evaporite deposits and include gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O), barite (BaSO₄), and anhydrite (CaSO₄). These minerals are often transparent to translucent and can form large, well-shaped crystals.

Phosphates and Organic Minerals: Components of Life and Advances in Mineralogy

Phosphate minerals, which include the apatite group, are defined by the presence of the phosphate ion (PO₄³⁻) and are crucial for biological systems, forming the basis of teeth and bones in vertebrates. Organic minerals, such as whewellite (CaC₂O₄·H₂O), are composed of organic compounds and are recognized by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) as a distinct class of minerals. The IMA's classification system is continually updated to reflect new mineral discoveries and research, ensuring that minerals are categorized based on their chemical composition, crystal structure, and the environment in which they are formed.