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Fact Sheet:
Introduction: Borax is a versatile mineral widely known for its use in household cleaning products, but its industrial and scientific importance goes far beyond that. A naturally occurring compound of boron, sodium, and water, borax plays a crucial role in glassmaking, agriculture, ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: (Mg,Fe,Li)₅Al(Si₃Al)O₁₀(OH)₈ (variable composition with magnesium, iron, and aluminum)
– Hardness: 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Monoclinic
– Color Varieties: Green, white, yellow, pink, black
– Major Localities: United States, Canada, Russia, and Italy
– Common Uses: Indicator of metamorphic conditions, industrial filler, additive in paints and plastics
Introduction: Chlorite is a group of common phyllosilicate minerals that form during the metamorphism of other minerals. Its name is derived from the Greek word “chloros,” meaning green, due to its typical color. Chlorite plays a significant role in geology as an indicator ...
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– Chemical Composition: NaCl (Sodium Chloride)
– Hardness: 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Isometric
– Color Varieties: Colorless, white, blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow
– Major Localities: United States, China, Germany, Canada, and Poland
– Common Uses: Food seasoning, de-icing roads, chemical feedstock, water conditioning, and industrial applications
Introduction: Halite, commonly known as rock salt, is a mineral form of sodium chloride. It has been an essential resource for humans for thousands of years, used in everything from food preservation to modern industrial processes. The name “halite” is derived from the Greek ...
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Introduction: Kernite is an important borate mineral, mainly valued for its high boron content, which makes it a key raw material in various industrial applications. Discovered in Kern County, California, after which it is named, kernite is primarily mined for its use in producing boron compounds, essential ...
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Introduction: Granite is one of the most common and widely used igneous rocks on Earth. Known for its durability, coarse grain, and wide range of colors, granite has played a crucial role in construction, architecture, ...
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Introduction: Marble is one of the most beautiful and revered stones in human history, prized for its aesthetic appeal, durability, and workability. It is a metamorphic rock formed from the recrystallization of ...
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Introduction: Limestone is one of the most common sedimentary rocks on Earth, forming the foundation of much of the ...
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Introduction: Scorodite is a secondary mineral that forms from the oxidation of arsenic-rich minerals such as arsenopyrite. It is a hydrated iron arsenate, known for its beautiful crystals and striking colors, typically blue or green. Though scorodite is prized by mineral collectors for its ...
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Introduction: Adamite is a rare and radiant mineral, known for its bright colors, most commonly yellow and green, and its beautiful, lustrous crystals. It often forms in the oxidation zones of zinc and arsenic-rich deposits and is sought after by mineral collectors for its aesthetic appeal.
Formation: Adamite forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidation ...
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Introduction: Vanadinite is a vibrant red to orange mineral, best known for its striking crystal formations and its role as an important ore of vanadium and lead. It belongs to the apatite group of minerals and forms hexagonal crystals that are often found in the oxidized zones ...
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Introduction: Barite, also known as baryte, is a dense mineral primarily composed of barium sulfate. Its name comes from the Greek word “barys,” meaning heavy, due to its exceptional density. Barite has numerous industrial applications, particularly in oil and gas drilling, where it is used to ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: A group of silicate minerals with varying compositions; common forms include muscovite (KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂) and biotite (K(Mg,Fe)₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₂)
– Hardness: 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Monoclinic
– Color Varieties: Colorless, brown, green, yellow, purple, and black
– Major Localities: India, Russia, the United States, and Madagascar
– Common Uses: Insulation, cosmetics, paints, and electronics
Introduction: Mica is a versatile and widespread group of minerals known for their distinctive layered structure and excellent cleavage properties, which allow them to be split into thin, flexible sheets. These minerals play a crucial role in various ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: CaF₂ (Calcium Fluoride)
– Hardness: 4 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Isometric
– Color Varieties: Colorless, purple, blue, green, yellow, pink, red, and black
– Major Localities: China, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States
– Common Uses: Flux in steelmaking, glass and ceramics production, hydrofluoric acid production, and as a gemstone
Introduction: Fluorite, also known as fluorspar, is a stunning mineral prized for its vibrant range of colors and its importance in industrial applications. Its name comes from the Latin word “fluere,” meaning “to flow,” due to its use as a flux ...
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Introduction: Monazite is a phosphate mineral that is an important source of rare earth elements (REEs) such as cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium, as well as thorium, a radioactive element used in nuclear ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: K(Mg,Fe)₃(AlSi₃O₁₀)(F,OH)₂
– Hardness: 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Monoclinic
– Color Varieties: Black, dark brown, dark green
– Major Localities: Russia, Canada, the United States, and Brazil
– Common Uses: Electrical insulator, soil additive, petrologic study
Introduction: Biotite is a common phyllosilicate mineral within the mica group, characterized by its dark coloration and sheet-like crystal structure. It is named after the French physicist Jean-Baptiste Biot, who made significant contributions to the study of the optical properties of mica.
Formation: Biotite forms in a variety of geological environments, including igneous, metamorphic, ...
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– Chemical Composition: A mixture of aluminum hydroxides, predominantly gibbsite (Al(OH)₃), boehmite (γ-AlO(OH)), and diaspore (α-AlO(OH))
– Hardness: 1 to 3 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Amorphous (typically not crystalline)
– Color Varieties: White, gray, yellow, orange, red, brown
– Major Localities: Australia, Guinea, Brazil, and Jamaica
– Common Uses: Primary source of aluminum, refractory materials, abrasives, and in cement production
Introduction: Bauxite is the world’s primary source of aluminum, a metal critically important for modern life. This mineral was named after the village of Les Baux in southern France, where it was first discovered in ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: (Mg, Fe)₂SiO₄ (Magnesium Iron Silicate)
– Hardness: 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Orthorhombic
– Color Varieties: Green, yellow-green, brown
– Major Localities: United States, Norway, Myanmar, and Pakistan
– Common Uses: Gemstone (peridot), refractory material, industrial sand, and in high-temperature furnaces
Introduction: Olivine, known for its beautiful green hue, is a common silicate mineral that forms deep within the Earth’s mantle. It is best known as the gemstone peridot and has significant geological importance due to its presence in mantle rocks and its role in tectonic processes.
Formation: Olivine primarily ...
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Introduction: Shale is one of the most common sedimentary rocks on Earth, known for its fine-grained texture and its ability to break into thin ...
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– Chemical Composition: SiO₂ (Silicon Dioxide)
– Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Hexagonal
– Color Varieties: Clear, white, pink (rose quartz), black (smoky quartz), purple (amethyst), yellow (citrine), and others
– Major Localities: Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, and the Alps in Europe
Common Uses: Jewelry, electronic components, and as a decorative stone in construction
Introduction: Quartz, one of the most abundant minerals on the Earth’s surface, forms a key component of continental crust. Known for its durability and wide range of colors, quartz serves both aesthetic and functional purposes, making it a cornerstone ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: Fe₂O₃ (Iron(III) Oxide)
– Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Trigonal
– Color Varieties: Metallic gray, black, red to reddish-brown
– Major Localities: Brazil, Australia, China, and the United States
– Common Uses: Iron ore, pigment, radiation shielding, and jewelry
Introduction: Hematite, renowned for its striking metallic luster and deep red streak, is a major ore of iron and a significant industrial mineral. Its name derives from the Greek word “haima,” meaning blood, due to the red coloration it imparts when powdered. Hematite has been utilized by humans for thousands ...
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Introduction: Rhyolite is a fine-grained, felsic (silica-rich) volcanic rock that is the extrusive equivalent of granite. It forms from the rapid cooling of high-silica magma at or near the Earth’s surface, often during explosive volcanic eruptions. Rhyolite’s light ...
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Introduction: Schist is a highly foliated, coarse-grained metamorphic rock known for its abundant platy or flaky minerals, particularly micas ...
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– Chemical Composition: Fe₃O₄ (Iron(II,III) Oxide)
– Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Isometric
– Color Varieties: Black to brownish-black with a metallic luster
– Major Localities: Australia, Brazil, Canada, and the United States
– Common Uses: Iron ore, magnetic materials, and catalysts
Introduction: Magnetite is a fascinating mineral known for its strong magnetic properties, which are unique among naturally occurring minerals. Its name comes from Magnesia, a region in Greece where the mineral was first discovered. Beyond its magnetic allure, magnetite is a crucial iron ore and has various industrial applications.
Formation: ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: CaMg(CO₃)₂ (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate)
– Hardness: 3.5 to 4 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Trigonal
– Color Varieties: Typically colorless, white, gray, pink, or brown
– Major Localities: Italy, Switzerland, parts of the USA, and Canada
– Common Uses: Aggregate in construction, source of magnesium and lime, decorative stone, and refractory material
Introduction: Dolomite, also known as dolostone when in rock form, is a significant carbonate mineral that complements the Earth’s calcite-rich landscapes. It plays a pivotal role in sedimentary rock formations and has various industrial and environmental applications.
Formation: Dolomite forms through ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: CaSO₄·2H₂O (Calcium Sulfate Dihydrate)
– Hardness: 2 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Monoclinic
– Color Varieties: White, colorless, gray, yellow, red, brown
– Major Localities: United States, China, Iran, and Spain
– Common Uses: Construction material (plaster and drywall), agricultural soil conditioner, cement additive, and sculpting medium
Introduction: Gypsum, a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate, is widely used in construction and agriculture. Its name originates from the Greek word “gypsos,” meaning plaster. Gypsum’s versatility and abundance make it a critical mineral in various industrial applications, from building homes to improving ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: A group of aluminum silicates containing potassium, sodium, or calcium (KAlSi₃O₈ – NaAlSi₃O₈ – CaAl₂Si₂O₈)
– Hardness: 6-6.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Monoclinic and triclinic
– Color Varieties: Typically opaque in white, pink, gray, or brown tones
– Major Localities: Italy, Turkey, the United States, and India
– Common Uses: Ceramics, glass production, and as decorative stones in construction
Introduction: Feldspar is the most abundant mineral group found in the Earth’s crust. Representing more than 40% of its composition, these minerals are indispensable in both geological and industrial applications.
Formation: Feldspars are ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: ZrSiO₄ (Zirconium Silicate)
– Hardness: 7.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Tetragonal
– Color Varieties: Colorless, yellow, red, brown, green, blue
– Major Localities: Australia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Russia, and the United States
– Common Uses: Gemstones, geochronology, ceramics, and refractory materials
Introduction: Zircon is a remarkable mineral known for its brilliant luster, diverse color range, and significant role in geological studies. Often used as a gemstone, zircon is also a vital tool for scientists studying the Earth’s history, as it can contain traces of uranium and thorium, making it useful for radiometric ...
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Introduction: Tourmaline is a strikingly colorful and complex boron silicate ...
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Introduction: Apatite is a widely occurring mineral, essential for both biological processes and industrial applications. Its name is derived from the Greek word “apate,” meaning “deceit,” due to its similarity to other minerals, which led to confusion in its early identification. Apatite is the primary source of phosphorus, ...
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Introduction: Wulfenite is a lead molybdate mineral that is prized for its vivid colors, most commonly ranging from bright orange to yellow, red, and even brown. Its striking, often perfectly formed tabular crystals make wulfenite highly sought after by mineral collectors. The mineral is named after Austrian mineralogist Franz Xavier von Wulfen, ...
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Introduction: Galena is the most important lead ore and one of the most abundant and widely distributed sulfide minerals. Its distinctive metallic luster and high density make it easy to identify, and its cubic crystal form is iconic. Beyond its significance as a lead ore, galena is also a major ...
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Introduction: Quartzite is a hard, durable metamorphic rock primarily composed of quartz that forms from the recrystallization of sandstone under intense heat and pressure. This process transforms the original quartz grains in the sandstone into a dense, interlocking mosaic of quartz crystals. Quartzite’s ...
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Introduction: Beryl is a fascinating mineral known for its wide range of beautiful gemstone varieties, including emerald and aquamarine. This mineral has been prized throughout history for its stunning colors and crystal clarity, making it one of the most sought-after ...
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Introduction: Basalt is the most common extrusive igneous rock on Earth, covering more than 70% of the planet’s surface. Formed through the rapid ...
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Introduction: Diorite is a durable, coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock known for its distinctive “salt-and-pepper” appearance, resulting from the intermingling of light-colored feldspar and dark minerals like biotite and hornblende. Diorite is chemically and mineralogically ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: KAl₂(AlSi₃O₁₀)(F,OH)₂
– Hardness: 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Monoclinic
– Color Varieties: Colorless, white, silver, yellow, brown, green
– Major Localities: Russia, India, Brazil, and the United States
– Common Uses: Electrical insulator, fireproofing materials, cosmetics, and as a gemstone
Introduction: Muscovite, a member of the mica group, is a common phyllosilicate mineral known for its brilliant cleavage and lustrous appearance. Named after the Muscovy region in Russia, where it was historically mined, muscovite is used in a variety of industrial and decorative applications.
Formation: Muscovite forms in igneous, metamorphic, ...
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Introduction: Coal is one of the world’s most important energy resources, playing a pivotal role in the development of modern industrial societies. Formed over millions of years ...
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Introduction: Scheelite is a significant ore mineral for tungsten, one of the hardest and most heat-resistant metals on Earth. Tungsten, derived from scheelite, is essential for various industrial applications, including the production of high-strength alloys, cutting tools, and electrical components. First discovered ...
Fact Sheet:
– Chemical Composition: Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ (Magnesium Silicate Hydroxide)
– Hardness: 1 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Monoclinic or triclinic
– Color Varieties: White, gray, green, brown, colorless
– Major Localities: United States, China, Brazil, India, and France
– Common Uses: Baby powder, cosmetics, ceramics, paint, paper, and plastics
Introduction: Talc is the softest mineral known, ranking as 1 on the Mohs hardness scale. Its ability to be easily scratched by a fingernail and its greasy feel make it unique among minerals. Talc has been used by humans for millennia in various applications, from personal care products to ...
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– Chemical Composition: FeS₂ (Iron Disulfide)
– Hardness: 6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Isometric
– Color Varieties: Brass-yellow with a metallic luster, often tarnishing to brown
– Major Localities: Spain, Peru, Italy, and the United States
– Common Uses: Sulfur extraction, iron production, and as a gemstone
Introduction: Pyrite, commonly known as “Fool’s Gold” due to its striking resemblance to gold, is a widespread and intriguing mineral. Its name derives from the Greek word “pyr,” meaning fire, as pyrite can create sparks when struck against steel. Despite its deceptive appearance, pyrite holds significant ...
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Introduction: Gneiss (pronounced “nice”) is one of the most common metamorphic rocks in the ...
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– Chemical Composition: CaCO₃ (Calcium Carbonate)
– Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Trigonal
– Color Varieties: Colorless, white, pink, green, blue, yellow, and brown
– Major Localities: Mexico, Iceland, Germany, and the United States
– Common Uses: Construction material, agricultural soil treatment, and in the production of cement and lime
Introduction: Calcite is a ubiquitous mineral, present in substantial portions of the Earth’s crust and a primary component of limestone and marble. Its broad distribution and diverse applications make it a mineral of significant geological and economic importance.
Formation: Calcite forms in both sedimentary ...
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Introduction: Descloizite is a rare lead-zinc vanadate mineral, highly prized by collectors for its bright colors and well-formed crystals. Named after the French mineralogist Alfred Des Cloizeaux, this mineral is known for its striking appearance and its role as a minor ore of vanadium. Descloizite is typically found in the oxidized zones ...
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Introduction: Sandstone is one of the most abundant and versatile sedimentary rocks on Earth, forming from the cementation of sand-sized grains of mineral, rock, or ...
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– Chemical Composition: A group of silicate minerals with the general formula X₃Y₂(SiO₄)₃, where X can be Ca, Mg, Fe, or Mn, and Y can be Al, Fe, or Cr
– Hardness: 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale
– Crystal System: Isometric
– Color Varieties: Red, green, yellow, orange, brown, purple, pink, black
– Major Localities: India, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, the United States, and Russia
– Common Uses: Gemstones, abrasives, industrial applications
Introduction: Garnet is a diverse and widespread group of silicate minerals prized for its rich array of colors and durability. Known since ancient times, garnets ...
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Introduction: Pyroxene is a group of important rock-forming minerals found in many igneous and metamorphic rocks. Characterized by their ...
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Introduction: Amphibole is a diverse group of minerals that includes several important rock-forming members. Known for their fibrous crystal habit and presence in both igneous and metamorphic rocks, amphiboles play a crucial role in understanding geological ...