mineral groups Flashcards
Minerals under carbonates (CALCITE GROUP)
- calcite CaCo3
- magnesite MgCo3
- siderite FeCo3
- Rhodocrosite MnCo3
- smithsonite ZnCo3
Minerals under carbonates (ARAGONITE GROUP)
- aragonite CaCo3
- Witherite baco3
- strontianite Srco3
- cerussite pbco3
Minerals under carbonates (DOLOMITE GROUP)
- dolomite-ankerite (ca(fe mg mn)(co3)2)
- malachite cu2co3(oh)2)
3.azurite cu3)co3)2(oh)2)
SULFATES
- Barite Baso4
- celestite srso4
- anglesite pbso4
4.anhydrite caso4 - gypsum caso4 2h2o
TUNGSTATE
- sheelite cawo4
PHOSPHATES
- apatite ca5(po4)3(F,cl,oh))
- amblygonite (LiAl (PO4)(F,OH))
- turquoise (CuAl6)(PO4)4(OH)8 4H2O)
enumerate:
CALCITE
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
hexagonal
rhombohohedral perfect; angle= 74*55’
3
2.71
Distinguished from dolomite by the fact that coarse fragments of calcite effervesce freely in cold dilute HCl, and distinguished from aragonite by lower specific gravity and rhombohedral cleavage.
primary mineral in some igneous rocks such as carbonatites and nepheline syenite. common mineral in hydrothermal veins associated with sulfide ores.
calcite
enumerate:
MAGNESITE
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
rhombohedral crystals
Rhombohedral perfect
3.5 - 5
3.0 - 3.2
The white massive variety resembles chert and is distinguished from it by a lower degree of hardness. Cleavable varieties are distinguished from dolomite by higher specific gravity. Magnesite, almost nonreactive in cold HCl, dissolves with effervescence in hot HCl.
enumerate:
SIDERITE
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
rhombohedral crystaL
Rhombohedral perfect
3.5 - 4
3.96 (for pure)
Soluble in powdered form in cold HCI or as fragments in hot HCI with effervescence. Distinguished from sphalerite by its rhombohedral cleavage.
occurs as clay ironstone, with admixed clay minerals, in concretions with concentric layers and found in shales and coal measures as blackband ore. a common constituent of sedimentary Precambrian iron-formations, in association with chert and magnetite.
SIDERITE
enumerate:
Rhodocrosite
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
rhombohedral crystals
Rhombohedral perfect.
3.5 - 4
3.5 - 3.7
Its hardness (4) distinguishes it from rhodonite, which has a hardness of 6. Soluble in hot HCI with effervescence.
enumerate:
Smithsonite (ZnCO3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
reniform, botryoidal, or stalactitic
Rhombohedral perfect
4 - 4.5
4.30 - 4.45
Effervesces in powdered form and in hot HCI
distinguished from other carbonates by its hardness of 4 and high specific gravity.
enumerate:
Aragonite (CaCO3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic crystals
Pinacoidal distinct, prismatic poor
3.5 - 4
2.95
Effervesces in cold dilute HCI. Cleavage fragments of columnar calcite are terminated by rhombohedral cleavage transecting the columnar crystals, whereas columnar aragonite has cleavage parallel to elongation. Distinguished from witherite and strontianite by lower specific gravity and lack of distinctive flame coloration.
Deposited from hot springs, and associated with gypsum As fibrous crusts on serpentine and in amygdaloidal cavities in basalt. In metamorphic assemblages of the blueschist facies, as a result of crystallization at high pressure but relatively low temperature. The pearly layer of many shells and the pearl itself
Aragonite
enumerate:
Witherite (BaCO3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic, with crystals always twinned on {110} forming pseudohexagonal dipyramids by the intergrowth of three individuals
Pinacoidal distinct, prismatic poor
3.5
4.3
associated with galena.
Soluble in cold HCl with effervescence, and gives a yellowish-green flame test. Its high specific gravity is characteristic, and it is distinguished barite by its effervescence in acid.
enumerate:
Strontianite (SrCO3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic,
Prismatic good.
3.5 - 4
3.7
Occurs in low-temperature hydrothermal veins and deposits associated with barite, celestite, and calcite.
Dissolves with effervescence in dilute HCl, and gives a crimson flame test (for Sr).
Distinguished from celestite by poorer cleavage and effervescence in acid.
enumerate:
Cerussite (PbCO3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic
reticulated groups of plates crossing each other at 60° angles
Prismatic
3 - 3.5
6.65
Recognized by its high specific gravity (very high for a nonmetallic mineral), white color, and adamantine luster.
enumerate:
Dolomite Group
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
rhombohedra,
known as “saddle-shaped” crystals
Ankerite: Generally not found in well-formed crystals. When in crystals, they resemble those of dolomite.
Rhombohedral perfect
3.5 - 4
2.85 (dolomite), 3.1 (ankerite)
Ankerite: a common carbonate in Precambrian iron-formations in association with chert, magnetite, and hematite.
In cold, dilute HCl large fragments of dolomite and ankerite are slowly attacked; they become soluble, with effervescence, only in hot HCl.
enumerate:
Malachite (Cu2CO3(OH)2)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
monoclinic, prismatic crystals but seldom distinct.
Pinacoidal perfect but rarely seen
3.5 - 4
3.9 - 4.03
Soluble in cold dilute HCI with effervescence, giving a green solution.
enumerate:
Azurite (Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Monoclinic
Prismatic perfect, pinacoidal fair
3.5 - 4
3.77
Characterized chiefly by its effervescence in cold dilute HCI,
enumerate:
SULFATES
Barite (BaSO4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic crystals usually tabular on {001}.
Pinacoidal perfect, prismatic less perfect
3 - 3.5
4.5.
Gives a yellowish-green flame test.
enumerate:
SULFATES
Celestite (SrSO4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic
001} or prismatic parallel to the a or b axis.
3 - 3.5
3.95 - 3.97
Common in lead veins with galena.
Closely resembles barite but is differentiated by lower specific gravity and a crimson flame test (for Sr)
enumerate:
SULFATES
Anglesite (PbSO4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic crystals
Basal food, prismatic imperfect. Fracture conchoidal
3.0
6.2 - 6.4
Associated with galena, cerussite, sphalerite, smithsonite, hemimorphite, and iron oxides
its common association with galena.
enumerate:
SULFATES
Anhydrite (CaSO4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Orthorhombic
Three pinacoidal cleavages
3 - 3.5
2.89 - 2.98
Occurs in beds associated with salt deposits in the cap rock of salt domes, and in limestones. Also in amygdaloidal cavities in basalts.
Characterized by its three cleavages at right angles. It is distinguished from calcite by its higher specific gravity and from gypsum by its greater hardness.
enumerate:
SULFATES
Gypsum (CaSO4·2H2O)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Monoclinic crystals of simple habit. Commonly tabular on {010}; diamond-shaped with beveled edges
Pinacoidal {010} perfect, yielding thin folia; {100} with conchoidal surface; {110} with fibrous fracture.
2
2.32
Characterized by its softness and its three unequal cleavages.
enumerate:
SULFATES
Scheelite (CaWO4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Tetragonal dipyramidal crystals of which the dipyramid {112} closely resembles the octahedron in angles
Prismatic
4.5 - 5
5.9 - 6.1
will fluoresce with bluish-white color in short ultraviolet radiation.
Found in granite pegmatites, contact metamorphic deposits, and high-temperature hydrothermal veins associated with granitic rocks. Common associations are cassiterite, topaz, fluorite, apatite, and molybdenite.
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
Apatite (Ca5(PO4)3(F,Cl,OH))
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Hexagonal
Basal poor
5 (can be scratched by a knife)
3.15 - 3.20
distinguished from beryl by inferior hardness and from quartz by color and hardness. Massive, granular varieties may resemble diopside, but apatite is of inferior hardness.
massive, cryptocrystalline type)
collophane
he variety collophane (a massive, cryptocrystalline type) constitutes the bulk of
phosphorite or phosphate rock.
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
Amblygonite (LiAl(PO4)(F,OH))
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Triclinic
{100} perfect
6
3.0 - 3.1
Found mainly in Li-bearing granite pegmatites in association with spodumene, tourmaline, lepidolite, and apatite.
Resembles albite, However, different cleavage angles and the less perfect cleavage of amblygonite, as well as the higher specific gravity, distinguish it from albite. A flame test gives a diagnostic red coloring for Li.
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
Turquoise (CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
triclinic crystals
Basal perfect
6
2.6 - 2.8
found in small veins and stringers traversing more or less decomposed volcanic rocks in arid regions.
harder than chrysocolla, the only common mineral that it resembles.
minerals under OXIDES
- CUPRITE (Cu2O)
- CORUNDUM (Al2O3)
- HEMATITE (Fe2O3)
- ILMENITE (FeTiO3)
- RUTILE (TiO2)
- PYROLUSITE (MnO2)
- CASSITERITE (SnO2)
- URANINITE (UO2)
OXIDES: SPINEL GROUP
- SPINEL (MgAl2O4)
- MAGNETITE (Fe3O4)
- CHROMITE (FeCr2O4)
HYDROXIDES MINERALS
- BRUCITE (Mg(OH)2)
- MANGANITE (MnO(OH))
- ROMANECHITE (Ba,H2O)2(Mn4+,Mn3+)5O10
- GOETHITE (FeO(OH))
- LIMONITE FeO(OH)·nH2O
- BAUXITE
HALIDES
- HALITE (NaCl)
- SYLVITE (KCl)
- FLUORITE (CaF2)
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
CUPRITE (Cu2O)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
isometric crystals that show cube,
NO CLEAVAGE(?)
Hardness
3 1/2 -4
Specific Gravity
6.1
. Streak brownish red.
Found, as a supergene mineral, in the oxidized portions of copper deposits
associated with limonite and secondary copper minerals such as native copper, malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla.
distinguished by its red color, isometric crystal form, high luster, brown, streak, and association with limonite.
ruby red in transparent crystals CUPRITE
ruby copper.”
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
CORUNDUM (Al2O3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Prismatic or tabular hexagonal crystals are common
Cleavage
Only parting on {0001} and {10\bar1 1}
Hardness 9
Specific Gravity
4.02
present in SiO2– poor igneous rocks such as syenites and nepheline syenites. Occurs also as rolled pebbles in detrital soil and stream sands.
gem corundum of any other color. Luster adamantine to vitreous.
sapphire
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
HEMATITE (Fe2O3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
hexagonal
also be micaceous and foliated and referred to as specular hematite.
Parting on { 10bar1 1} and {0001}
Hardness
5 1/2 - 6 1/2 (for crystals)
Specific Gravity
5.26 (for crystals)
accessory constituent of many rock types and the most abundant iron ore mineral in Precambrian banded iron-formations.
Distinguished mainly by its characteristic red streak, reddish-brown to black color,
Red earthy variety known as
platy and metallic variety known as hematite
red orcher
specularite
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
ILMENITE (FeTiO3)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
massive and compact.
Hardness
5 1/2 - 6
Specific Gravity
4.7
occur as large masses in gabbros, diorites, and anorthosites, commonly associated with magnetite. As a constituent of black sand, it is associated with magnetite, rutile, and zircon.
Distinguished from hematite by its streak and from magnetite by its lack of strong magnetism.
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
RUTILE (TiO2)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
tetragonal, prismatic crystals with dipyramid terminations
Cleavage
Prismatic {110} distinct
Hardness
6-6 1/2
Specific Gravity
4.18-4.25
Characterized by its adamantine luster and red color. It has a lower specific gravity than cassiterite.
Found in granite, granite pegmatite, mica schist, gneiss, metamorphic limestone, and dolomite.
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
PYROLUSITE (MnO2)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
radiating fibers or columns
pseudomorphous after manganite.
Cleavage
Prismatic {110} perfect; fracture splintery.
Hardness
1– 2 (often soils the fingers); for coarsely crystalline polianite the hardness is 6 –6 1/2
Specific Gravity
4.75
found as nodular deposits in bogs, on lake bottoms, and on the floors of oceans.
black streak and low degree of hardness.
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
CASSITERITE (SnO2)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
two tetragonal prisms and dipyramids.
also in reniform shapes with radiating fibrous appearance, known as wood tin.
Prismatic {010} imperfect
6-7
6.8-7.1 (unusually high for a nonmetallic mineral)
ound in high-temperature hydrothermal veins in or near granitic rocks.
Vein associations may include tourmaline, topaz, fluorite, apatite, molybdenite, and arsenopyrite
cassiterite also occur as rolled pebbles in placer deposits, know as
stream tin.
enumerate:
PHOSPHATES
URANINITE (UO2)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Most commonly as massive or botryoidal forms with a banded structure, known as pitchblende.
Hardness
5 1/2
Specific Gravity
6.5 – 9, for pitchblende. Crystals show G 7.5 – 9.7.
Characterized chiefly by its pitchy luster, high specific gravity, color, streak, and strong radioactivity (as detected by a Geiger counter or scintillation counter).
primary constituent of granitic rocks and pegmatites, and in high-temperature hydrothermal veins associated with cassiterite, chalcopyrite, and arsenopyrite. Also in association, at low temperatures, with secondary uranium minerals.
enumerate:
SPINEL GROUP
SPINEL (MgAl2O4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Isometric.
Commonly in octahedral crystals or in twinned octahedrons (spinel twins)
Hardness
8
Specific Gravity
3.5-4.1
high-temperature mineral occurring in contact-metamorphosed limestones and metamorphic rocks poor in SiO2. Metamorphic assemblages may contain phlogopite, pyrrhotite, and graphite
found as rolled pebbles in stream sands.
Iron-rich spinel is distinguished from magnetite by being nonmagnetic and having a white streak.
enumerate:
SPINEL GROUP
MAGNETITE (Fe3O4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Isometric. Frequently in octahedral crystals
Cleavage
None. Octahedral parting in some specimens.
Hardness
6
natural magnet, known as lodestone
titaniferous
major constituent of Precambrian banded iron-formations
association with chert and hematite. Also found in black sands along seashores. Often closely intergrown with corundum, forming emery.
enumerate:
SPINEL GROUP
CHROMITE (FeCr2O4)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
Isometric, with octahedral habit, but crystals rare
Hardness
5 1/2
Specific Gravity
4.6
common constituent of peridotites, of other ultrabasic rocks, and of serpentine derived from them. Associated with olivine, serpentine, and corundum.
Lack of magnetism and brown streak distinguishes it from magnetite. Association with olivine and serpentine is highly characteristic.
enumerate:
HYDROXIDES
BRUCITE (Mg(OH)2)
Form
cleavage
hardness
SG
remarks
foliated, massive. When in crystals, they are hexagonal, usually tabular on {0001}
Cleavage
Basal {0001} perfect. Folia flexible but not elastic. Sectile.
Hardness
2 1/2
Specific Gravity
2.39
association with serpentine dolomite, magnetite, and chromite. As a reaction product of Mg-silicates, especially serpentine. Recognized by its foliated nature, light color, and pearly luster on cleavage faces. Distinguished from talc by being considerably harder, and from mica by being inelastic.