Grade 7

1. No. NAME Description
1 Antimony Antimony is a metal that is used along with alloys to create
batteries for storing grid power. It is silvery gray and can be
found in its pure form in nature, an uncommon
characteristic.
2 Asbestos Asbestos has an unsavory reputation for causing cancer in
people who work around it. It is a fibrous mineral with
incredible fire retarding properties. Although asbestos has a
bad reputation, when polished it becomes the well-known
and popular ‘Tiger Eye’ stone.
3 Barium Barium is a common element used in x-ray technology,
fireworks, rubber and glass making and rat poison. It is a
soft, white metallic element and alkaline.
4 Bauxite Bauxite is a sedimentary rock that is an important ore of
aluminum. The aluminum content in it is leeched from the
soil above.
5 Beryllium Beryllium is an alkaline metallic element that is highly toxic.
It is known for its sugary sweet taste and some of its
common uses are in X-rays and fluorescent lights.
6 Chromite Chromite is the ore of chromium and is a very hard metal,
and diamond is the only thing harder. This hardness is what
allows a chrome finish to take a high polish.
7 Cobalt Cobalt is famous for the incredible blue color it imparts to
glass and pigment. It has been found in meteorites and is
used in invisible ink. It is a brittle metal and resembles iron.

2. 8 Columbite-tantalite Columbite-tantalite group is a mineral used widely in
technology. Electronics, automotive systems and health
products like the pacemaker need this mineral to operate. It
is mined in Africa and has earned the name of Coltan over
the last few years.
9 Copper Copper is a common metal throughout the world. It is used
for currency, jewelry, plumbing and to conduct electricity. It
is a soft, orange-red metal.
10 Feldspar Feldspar is the most common mineral on Earth. Since it is
most commonly found in granite, this mineral is used mostly
as a building material.
11 Fluorite Fluorite (fluorspar) is commonly used to create fluorescent
pigment and since it is very beautiful, it is used for gem
material. It is mined all over the world.
12 Gold Gold is the most familiar metal to most people. It is used for
jewelry, dentistry, electronics and a host of other
applications. It is the most malleable metal which increases
the way it can be used.
13 Gypsum Gypsum is a very soft mineral with a variety of uses, most
commonly in drywall, also known as sheet rock. It is also
used as a fertilizer and road construction.
14 Halite Halite (sodium chloride--salt) is used for seasoning food and
softening water. It is also used to make certain acids, in fire
extinguishers and melting ice on the road.

3. 15 Iron Iron Ore is perhaps as important to civilization today as gold
historically has been. It is used in all sorts of construction
from vehicles to buildings.
16 Lead Lead has a bad reputation for its poisoning capabilities,
some of which may have been exaggerated by fear. It
cannot be absorbed by the skin or breathing, but it is
harmful if it touches food or drink. It was at one time used in
paint, pencils and eating utensils.
17 Lithium Lithium is used in several applications including medication
for bipolar symptoms and batteries. Lithium has become
very popular with the advent of electric cars.
18 Manganese Manganese with iron impurities can be slightly magnetic. It
is essential in the steel making process, and petroglyphs
were carved into it in the Southwest.
19 Mica Mica is the mineral responsible for putting a sparkle on
many rocks. This mineral is very flexible, and large sheets
of it were used as window glass in the past.
20 Molybdenum Molybdenum is essential for supporting all life forms
because it is essential for utilizing nitrogen.
21 Perlite Perlite is created from volcanic rock. It is a lightweight
substance with great water bearing characteristics. It is the
white stuff found in some potting soils.
22 Platinum Platinum Group Metals (PGM) are rare and therefore
expensive. They are commonly used in jewelry but
technology also benefits from them. The largest source of

4. platinum and the members of its family is from the by-
product of nickel mines.
23 Phosphate Phosphate is necessary for all life on earth
24 Potassium Potash is the old-fashioned term for Potassium. Potassium
is a major component in crop fertilizer around the world. It is
very important in the human body since it works with salt
regulating the pressure inside and outside the body’s cell
walls. It is also used in soap manufacture.
25 Pyrite Pyrite is commonly known as ‘fools gold.’ It is frequently
seen in granite rocks where it adds sparkle. Native
Americans polished it to use as a mirror, and it is
occasionally used in jewelry. Its byproduct is used in ink and
disinfectants.
26 Quartz Quartz (silica) is the most abundant mineral on earth. It is
the name for a large family of rocks including the jaspers,
agates, onyxes and flints. Quartz is used in concrete, glass,
scientific instruments and watches. Most importantly today,
it is used to make silicon semiconductors.
27 Rare Earth Elements Rare Earth Elements (lanthanum,cerium, praseodymium,
neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium,
terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium ytterbium
and lutetium) Many of these are used to create nuclear
power.
28 Silica Silica is used in desiccants to remove moisture from the air.
It is also used in sandpaper and glass making.

5. 29 Silver Silver is one of the precious metals. It is used as currency
and in jewelry making. It is also used in medicine due to its
anti-microbial properties.
30 Sodium Carbonate Sodium Carbonate (soda ash or trona) is used to control the
pH of products. It is used to make glass, paper, detergents
and for softening.
31 Stibnite Stibnite is a major ore of antimony which is used in
fireworks, rubber and glass making. It is minded principally
in Romania.
32 Sulfur Sulfur is one of the only minerals to be found in its pure
form in nature. It is a major ingredient in acid rain but it also
is used in wine making and fruit preservation.
33 Tantalum Tantalum is used when an alloy needs a high melting point
and strength. It is used in missiles, aircraft parts and
vacuums.
34 Titanium Titanium is one of the most abundant and toughest metals
on Earth. It is used extensively in human body repair.
35 Tungsten Tungsten is a metal that is stronger than steel and a high
melting temperature. It is also used to make saw blades and
used in welding.
36 Uranium Uranium is a highly radioactive element. It is used in cancer
treatments, X-rays, military weapons and fuel for the space
shuttle.

6. 37 Vanadium Vanadium is found in many foods and helps bones grow. It
is useful in regulating blood sugar in diabetics and helps
grow muscles for bodybuilders.
38 Zeolite Zeolite is known as the ‘stone that dances’. It is used in
wastewater cleanup and since it can absorb ammonia, it is
used in kitty litter and reducing other animal smells.
39 Zinc Zinc is essential for a healthy life. Zinc deficiency can cause
rashes, diarrhea, impaired taste and eye problems. It is
used to macular degeneration, diabetes and the common
cold.