Mineralogy Intro Flashcards
According to Geology, what is a mineral?
Naturally occurring
Inorganic solid
Orderly Crystalline Structure
Has a chemical formula
A mineral forms by itself in nature without any aide from humans.
Naturally occuring
Lab grown minerals
Synthetic minerals
Do not contain any organic materials. However, minerals can be produced organically through biogenic processes.
Inorganic
Minerals produced by living organisms.
Biominerals
Minerals’ atoms are arranged in a specific order that gives them their crystalline structure.
Ordered crystalline Structure
Materials that possess a geometric crystal structure.
Crystals
“Minerals” that do not possess an ordered crystalline structure.
Amorphous
Minerals have a specific ratio of atoms, but does not have to have a fixed composition.
Definite chemical formula
A range of minerals that occurs or belong in a range of chemical compositions.
Mineral Series
Plagioclase Feldspar
(Ca,Na)(Al,Si)AlSi2O8
Mineral-like materials but lack one or more of the criteria of a mineral.
Mineraloid
Durable, beautiful, somewhat rare, solid substances that, with proper cut and polish, may be used as jewels for ornamentation.
Gem
A mineral that can occur in a different colors, habits or other properties.
Mineral Variety
A range of minerals that occurs or belong in a range of chemical compositions.
Mineral Series