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Explore the elementary chemical composition and identification of over 4000 mineral species with individual names and variations. Learn about mineral classification, crystallization stages, mechanical properties, cleavage, fracture, density, and specific gravity. This handbook covers crystal and geochemical classifications, aiding in mineral identification using hand specimens.
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Practical II Handspecimens
Elementary chemical composition • 4000 mineral species with individual mineral names (currently) • Within species different polytypes: • Quartz: amethyst, citrine, rosequartz, etc.; • Beryl: emerald (Cr-rich); aquamarine (Fe-rich) • Common minerals contain abundant elements: O, H, Si, Al, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe, K • Lithophile, chalcophile, siderophile, halogenophile
Classification of minerals • Genetic: • According to principal processes by which minerals are formed • Not mineralogical and problematic • Geochemical • Based on principal chemical elements • Irrational: minerals that consist of many elements? • Crystal chemical • Functional relationship between chemical composition • Acceptable • Geochemical and crystal chemical • Very useful
Movie-time!! • Classification of Minerals
Chapter 15 Mineral identification of hand specimens
Stage of crystallisation Euhedral Subhedral Anhedral
Colour, streak and luster Colour: as directly observed Streak: colour of powdered sample Luster: character of light reflected from mineral surface
Mechanical properties • Hardness: 1-10 • Thumbnail 2 • Copper penny 3-4 • Blade of pocket knife 5-6 • Quartz 6-7 • Cleavage: • Number of cleavage planes • Orientation relative to each other • Development of cleavage: Perfect, strong, weak • Fracture: • Irregular break: conchoidal, stepped, splintery • Tenacity: malleable, ductile, plastic, brittle, sectile, elastically or inelastically flexible
Density and specific gravity Density: mass of a unit volume of material Gravity: ratio of the weight of a body and the weight of an equal volume of water (dimensionless)
Movie-time!! Identification of minerals