This document defines minerals as naturally occurring inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and ordered internal structure. There are about 3000 known minerals, which are composed of single elements or combinations of elements. Minerals exhibit physical properties such as crystal structure, cleavage, color, luster, hardness, and density that allow them to be identified. Common rock-forming minerals include silicates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, halides, carbonates, and native metals.

1. Minerals

2. Geosphere

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)

5. 
rutile

6. Naturally
Occurring
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7. Inorganic
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8. Solid
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9. Definite
Chemical
Composition

10. Ordered Internal
Structure
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11. Composition of
Minerals
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12. Silicates
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13. Oxides
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14. Sulfides
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15. Sulfates
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16. Halides
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17. Carbonates
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18. Native Metals
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19. Crystal Structure
of Minerals

20. Physical
Properties of
Minerals

21. Crystal form and Habit
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22. Cleavage and
Fracture
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23. Color and Streak
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24. Diaphaneity/
amount of
transparency
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25. Luster
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26. Hardness
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27. Tenacity

28. Brittleness – a mineral turns to
powder

29. Malleability – a
mineral can be
flattened using a
hammer

30. Ductility – a mineral can be
stretched into wires

31. Flexible but inelastic – a
mineral can be stretched
but they remain in its
new position
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32. Flexible and elastic – a
mineral can be bent and
goes back to its original
shape or position

33. Sectility – a mineral
can be sliced by a knife

34. Density
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35. Other
properties
Magnetism Taste
Effervescence Feel

36. Special Characteristics--
the “Acid Test” / Effervescence

37. Special Characteristics--
Salty Taste
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38. Special Characteristics--
Magnetism
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39. Common Rock-Forming Minerals