3. What are MINERALS?
Defined as naturally occurring,
inorganic solid with a definite
chemical composition, and an
ordered chemical structure.
Every mineral is unique
4. There are about 3000 known minerals
Minerals are made of elements (either a single
element or a combination of elements)
Examples of Minerals
Native elements such as gold, a mineral made of
one element (gold…Au)
Compounds such as calcite, a mineral made of 3
elements (calcium, carbon, and
oxygen…CaCO3)
12. Silicates
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13. Oxides
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14. Sulfides
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16. Halides
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17. Carbonates
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18. Native Metals
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24. Diaphaneity/
amount of
transparency
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