Minerals

This mineral group are salts that form when salt water evaporates. They are ionic meaning they dissolve easily in water.

• Halides

• Oxides

• Sulfates

• Carbonates

The way in which light reflects off of a mineral's surface.

• Luster

• Texture

• Color

• Hardness

The most abundant element in the Earth's crust.

• Silicon

• Aluminum

• Oxygen

• Iron

Largest mineral group with 1,000+ varieties making up nearly 90% of Earth's crust.

• Silicates

• Carbonates

• Oxides

• Sulfates

Not a reliable characteristic to use for mineral identification.

• Color

• Hardness

• Luster

• Cleavage

This mineral group forms when metallic elements bond with sulfur without any oxygen present. Pyrite is one of the most common minerals in this group.

• Sulfides

• Oxides

• Carbonates

• Silicates

A naturally occurring inorganic solid with a definitive chemical composition and a crystalline structure.

• Rock

• Mineral

• Metal

• Gemstone

The five criteria to be considered a mineral.

• 1. Solid, Naturally occurring, Inorganic, Fixed chemical formula, Specific atomic structure

• 2. Liquid, Naturally occurring, Organic, Variable chemical formula, Specific atomic structure

• 3. Solid, Artificially created, Inorganic, Fixed chemical formula, Random atomic structure

• 4. Solid, Naturally occurring, Inorganic, Variable chemical formula, Specific atomic structure

The building blocks of rocks.

• Minerals

• Metals

• Gases

• Liquids

Uncommon mineral type which contain phosphorus rather than silicon. They are found within human bone.

• Silicates

• Phosphates

• Carbonates

• Oxides