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Minerals By Class
Minerals can be organized, mainly according to their chemistry, into the following classes

>> Elements Class: The Metals and Their Alloys and the Nonmetals.
>> Sulfides Class: The Sulfides, the Selenides, the Tellurides, the Arsenides, the Antimonides, the Bismuthinides and the Sulfosalts.
>> Halides Class: The Fluorides, the Chlorides and the Iodides.
>> Oxides Class: The Oxides and the Hydroxides
>> Carbonates Class: The Carbonates, the Nitrates and the Borates.
>> Sulfates Class: The Sulfates, the Sulfites, the Chromates, the Molybdates, the Selenates, the Selenites, the Tellurates, the Tellurites and the Tungstates (or the Wolframates).
>> Phosphates Class: The Phosphates, the Arsenates, the Vanadates and the Antimonates.
>> Silicates Class: The Silicates (the largest class).
>> The Organics Class: The "Minerals" composed of organic chemicals!
>> The Mineraloids: The "Minerals" that lack crystal structure!

The Native Elements Class

The elements which include over one hundred known minerals are a diverse class when taken as a whole. Most of this diversity, however, is due to the diversity of the Non-metals Subclass. The Metals Subclass and related metal alloys contains metals whose properties are rather similar due to the common way in which they crystallize and bond. The greatest difference in the metals is color. The non-metals, however, are extremely diverse. For instance, the hardest mineral known to man is from this subclass, as well as one of the softest. The non-metals include some elements known as semi-metals who share some properties with metals but differ in other characteristics.
Metal alloys are minerals that are composed of combinations of different metals in one mineral. All native metals are impure usually by several percentage points, but these are not distinguished as distinct minerals unless they meet certain mineralogical criteria. Generally they must be consistent in their composition and have their respective elements occupy specific sites in their crystal lattice in order to be named as new minerals.
Alloys that are composed of semi-metals with metals are classified as sulfides but are sometimes listed as elements. They usually share similarities to other sulfides in their physical properties. These minerals are in the Selenides, the Tellurides, the Antimonides and the Arsenides Subclasses of the Sulfide Class. The main difference between elemental alloys and these semi-metal alloys is the presence of covalent bonding in these minerals as opposed to the strictly metallic bonding in pure metals and their metal alloys.
The most difficult to classify are the metal/non-metal mineral combinations. These minerals, which combine metals such as iron with the very non-metallic elements of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorous and silicon are quite unique and quite rare. They are not too different from sulfides which typically combine metals with sulfur. But the sulfides class is by convention limited to sulfur and semi-metal combinations as discussed above.
It might surprise people to find out that the Elements Class contains minerals that are composed of more than one element. Elements, by the chemical definition are composed of all the same atoms; whereas substances composed of two or more elements are compounds. The inconsistency is explained by allowing only those minerals whose bonding is similar to the more traditional elements. Metal alloys bond with metallic bonds and the carbon-carbon bond of diamond is similar to the carbon-silicon bond in moissanite. This type of covalent bonding is called elemental bonds. All in all the Elements Class is a rather complicated and interesting class of minerals.
Subclass: Native Metals:
»Cadmium Cd

Chromium Cr
» The Gold Group:
 * Aluminum Al
* Copper Cu
* Gold Au
* Lead Pb
* MercuryHg
* Silver Ag
»Indium In
»Iron Fe
»Nickel Ni
»The Platinum Group
  * Iridium (Ir, Os, Ru)
* PalladiumPd
* PlatinumPt
* Rhodium (Rh, Pt)
»TelluriumTe
»Tin Sn
»Titanium Ti
»Zinc Zn
Metallic Alloys:
»Anyuiite Au(Pb, Sb)2
»AuricuprideCu3Au
»BelendorffiteCu7Hg6
»Brass Cu3Zn2
»Cabriite Pd2SnCu
»Chengdeite Ir3Fe
» Cupalite (Cu, Zn)Al
»DanbaiteCuZn2
»Eugenite Ag9Hg2
»Hunchunite (Au, Ag)2Pb
»The Iron-nickel Group
 * IronFe
* Iron-nickel (Fe, Ni)
* Kamacite alpha - (Fe, Ni)
* Nickel Ni
* Taenite beta - (Fe, Ni)
* Tetrataenite FeNi
* WairauiteCoFe
»Isoferroplatinum (Pt, Pd)3(Fe, Cu)
»Kolymite Cu7Hg6
» Leadamalgam HgPb2
»LuanheiteAg3Hg
»Maldonite Au2Bi
»Moschellandsbergite Ag2Hg3
» Osmium (Os, Ir)
»Paraschachnerite Ag3Hg2
» Plumbopalladinite Pd3Pb2
»SchachneriteAg1.1Hg0.9
»Stannopalladinite (Pd, Cu)3Sn2
»Tetraauricupride AuCu
»Tetraferroplatinum PtFe
»Weishanite (Au, Ag)3Hg2
»Yuanjiangite AuSn
» Zhanghengite (Cu, Zn, Fe, Al, Cr)
Subclass: Native Non-metals and Semi-metals:
»Arsenic Group As:
  * Antimony Sb
* Arsenic As
* Bismuth Bi
* Stibarsen SbAs
* Stistaite SnSb
»Arsenolamprite As Carbon Group
  * Chaoite C
* Diamond C
* Graphite C
* Lonsdaleite C
* Moissanite SiC

»

Nierite Si3N4
»ParadocrasiteSb2(Sb, As)2
»Rosickyite S
»Selenium Se
»Silicon Si
»Sinoite Si2N2O
»Sulfur S
»Tellurium Te
Minerals with metallic and non-metallic elements:
»Barringerite (Fe, Ni)2P
»Carlsbergite CrN
»Cohenite Fe3C
»Haxonite (Fe, Ni)23C6
»Niggliite PtSn
»Nierite Si3N4
»Osbornite TiN
»Perryite (Fe, Ni)8(Si, P)3
»Roaldite Fe4N
»Schreibersite (Fe, Ni)3P
»Siderazot Fe5N2
»Suessite (Fe, Ni)3Si
»Tongbaite Cr3C2

The Sulfides Class

As well as the Selenides, the Tellurides, the Antimonides, the Arsenides and the Sulfosalts.

The members of the Sulfide Class form an economically important class of minerals. Most major ores of important metals such as copper, lead and silver are sulfides. Strong generalities exist in this class. The majority of sulfides are metallic, opaque, generally sectile, soft to average in hardness and they have high densities, black or dark colored streaks and an igneous origin. But, there are a few vitreous and transparent members such as realgar, cinnabar and orpiment that tend to break the mold, so to speak.
Minerals belonging to the selenide, telluride, antimonide and arsenide subclasses have very similar properties to the more common sulfides and are thus included here. The whole or partial supplanting of sulfur by either selenium, tellurium, antimony, arsenic or bismuth is possible because these elements have similar sizes, charges and ionic strengths. Only minerals in the sulfide class that have no appreciable sulfur are included in these subclasses. If there is enough sulfur in the mineral to be named in the formula than it is treated as a normal sulfide.
Except in the case of the Sulfosalts. This is a large segment of the sulfide class whose difference from the other sulfides lies in the position of the semi-metal ions. In most ordinary sulfides that contain a semi-metal such as antimony, arsenic or bismuth, they substitute in the sulfur positions, but in sulfosalts they substitute for the metal ions and bond with the sulfurs. The term sulfosalts came from a theory that these minerals were the salts of acids in which the oxygens are replaced by sulfurs. Such as Na2SO4 is the salt of H2SO4 or sulfuric acid; then enargite, Cu3AsS4. would be the salt of the hypothetical acid H6AsS4. This theory is not considered credible now but the name "sulfosalt" still persists.

These are some of the members of the Sulfide Class:

The Standard Sulfides

»Acanthite/Argentite (Silver Sulfide)
»Aguilarite (Silver Selenium Sulfide)
»Alabandite (Manganese Sulfide)
»Argentopentlandite (Silver Iron Nickel Sulfide)
»Argentopyrite (Silver Iron Sulfide)
»Argyrodite (Silver Germanium Sulfide)
»Arsenopyrite (Iron Arsenic Sulfide)
»Bismuthinite (Bismuth Sulfide)
»Bornite (Copper Iron Sulfide)
»Sulfide)
»Chalcocite (Copper Sulfide)
»Chalcopyrite (Copper Iron Sulfide)
»Cinnabar (Mercury Sulfide)
»Cobaltite (Cobalt Arsenic Sulfide)
»Covellite (Copper Sulfide)
»Cubanite (Copper Iron Sulfide)
»Digenite (Copper Sulfide)
»Famatinite (Copper Antimony Sulfide)
»Galena (Lead Sulfide)
»Germanite (Copper Germanium Gallium Iron Zinc Arsenic Sulfide)
»Gersdorffite (Nickel Arsenic Sulfide)
»Glaucodot (Copper Iron Arsenic Sulfide)
»Greenockite (Cadmium Sulfide)
»Hauchecornite (Nickel Bismuth Antimony Sulfide)
»Hauerite (Manganese Sulfide)
»Jalpaite (Silver Copper Sulfide)
»Kermesite (Antimony Oxysulfide)
»Laurite (Ruthenium Sulfide)
»Lautite (Copper Arsenic Sulfide)
»Linnaeite (Cobalt Sulfide)
» Marcasite (Iron Sulfide)
»Metacinnabar (Mercury Sulfide)
»Millerite (Nickel Sulfide)
»Molybdenite (Molybdenum Sulfide)
»Orpiment (Arsenic Sulfide)
»Patronite (Vanadium Sulfide)
»Pentlandite (Iron Nickel Sulfide)
»Polydymite (Nickel Sulfide)
»Pyrite (Iron Sulfide)
»Pyrrhotite (Iron Sulfide)
»Realgar (Arsenic Sulfide)
»Rheniite (Rhenium Sulfide)
»Schollhornite (Hydrated Sodium Chromium Sulfide)
»Siegenite (Cobalt Nickel Sulfide)
»Sphalerite (Zinc Iron Sulfide)
»Stannite (Copper Iron Tin Sulfide)
»Sternbergite (Silver Iron Sulfide)
»Stibnite (Antimony Sulfide)
»Stromeyerite (Silver Copper Sulfide)
»Teallite (Lead Tin Sulfide)
»Tetradymite (Bismuth Tellurium Sulfide)
»Tungstenite (Tungsten Sulfide)
»Ullmannite (Nickel Antimony Sulfide)
»Wurtzite (Zinc Iron Sulfide)
»Aikinite (Lead Copper Bismuth Sulfide)
»Andorite (Silver Lead Antimony Sulfide)
»Baumhauerite (Lead Arsenic Sulfide)
»Berthierite (Iron Antimony Sulfide)
»Boulangerite (Lead Antimony Sulfide)
»Bournonite (Lead Copper Antimony Sulfide)
»Chalcostibite (Copper Antimony Sulfide)
»Cylindrite (Iron Lead Tin Antimony Sulfide)
»Dufrenoysite (Lead Arsenic Sulfide)
»Emplectite (Copper Bismuth Sulfide)
»Enargite (Copper Arsenic Sulfide)
»Franckeite (Lead Tin Iron Antimony Sulfide)
»Freieslebenite (Silver Lead Antimony Sulfide)
»Geocronite (Lead Antimony Arsenic Sulfide)
»Gratonite (Lead Arsenic Sulfide)
»Hutchinsonite (Thallium Lead Arsenic Sulfide)
»Jamesonite (Lead Iron Antimony Sulfide)
»Jordanite (Lead Thallium Arsenic Antimony Sulfide)
»Matildite (Silver Bismuth Sulfide)
»Meneghinite (Copper Lead Antimony Sulfide)
»Miargyrite (Silver Antimony Sulfide)
»Owyheeite (Silver Lead Antimony Sulfide)
»Polybasite (Silver Copper Antimony Sulfide)
»Proustite (Silver Arsenic Sulfide)
»Pyrargyrite (Silver Antimony Sulfide)
»Sartorite (Lead Arsenic Sulfide)
»Schapbachite (Silver Bismuth Sulfide)
»Semseyite (Lead Antimony Sulfide)
»Smithite (Silver Arsenic Sulfide)
»Stephanite (Silver Antimony Sulfide)
»Tennantite (Copper Arsenic Sulfide)
»Tetrahedrite (Copper Iron Antimony Sulfide)
»Wittichenite (Copper Bismuth Sulfide)
»Wittite (Lead Bismuth Selenide Sulfide)
»Xanthoconite (Silver Arsenic Sulfide)
»Zinkenite (Lead Antimony Sulfide)
»Berzelianite (Copper Selenide)
»Clausthalite (Lead Selenide)
»Eucairite (Silver Copper Selenide)
»Klockmannite (Copper Selenide)
»Tiemannite (Mercury Selenide)
»Umangite (Copper Selenide)
»Altaite (Lead Telluride)
»Calaverite (Gold Telluride)
»Coloradoite (Mercury Telluride)
»Empressite (Silver Telluride)
»Hessite (Silver Telluride)
»Kostovite (Copper Gold Telluride)
»Krennerite (Silver Gold Telluride)
»Melonite (Nickel Telluride)
»Iron Telluride Sulfide)
»Petzite (Silver Gold Telluride)
»Rickardite (Copper Telluride)
»Sylvanite (Silver Gold Telluride)
»Aurostibite (Gold Antimonide)
»Breithauptite (Nickel Antimonide)
»Dyscrasite (Silver Antimonide)
Subclass: Arsenides
»Domeykite (Copper Arsenide)
»Lollingite (Iron Arsenide)
»Maucherite (Nickel Arsenide)
»Nickeline (Nickel Arsenide)
»Nickel-skutterudite (chloanthite) (Nickel Arsenide)
»Rammelsbergite (Nickel Arsenide)
»Safflorite (Cobalt Iron Arsenide)
»Skutterudite (Cobalt Arsenide)
»Smaltite (Cobalt Nickel Arsenide)
»Sperrylite (Platinum Arsenide)
These minerals are sometimes thought of as alloys of metals with semi-metals and placed in the Elements Class.

The Halides Class

The halides are a group of minerals whose principle anions are halogens. Halogens are a special group of elements that usually have a charge of negative one when chemically combined. The halogens that are found commonly in nature include Fluorine, Chlorine, Iodine and Bromine. Halides tend to have rather simply ordered structures and therefore a high degree of symmetry. The most famous halide mineral, halite (NaCl) or rock salt has the highest symmetry 4/m bar 3 2/m. The colorful mineral fluorite (CaF) also has 4/m bar 3 2/m symmetry and its cubic crystals are very popular mineral specimens. There are only a few common halide minerals. The typical halide mineral is soft, can be transparent, is generally not very dense, has good cleavage, and often has bright colors.
MINERALS OF THE HALIDE CLASS:
»Atacamite (Copper Chloride Hydroxide)
»Avogadrite (Potassium Cesium Boron Fluoride)
»Bararite (Ammonium Silicon Fluoride)
»Bischofite (Hydrated Magnesium Chloride)
»Bismoclite (Bismuth Chloride Oxide)
»Boleite (Hydrated Lead Copper Silver Chloride Hydroxide)
»Calomel (Mercury Chloride)
»Camermanite (Potassium SiliconFluoride)
»Carnallite (Hydrated Potasium Magnesium Chloride)
»Chiolite (Sodium Aluminum Fluoride)
»Chlorargyrite (Silver Chloride)
»Chlorocalcite (Potassium Calcium Chloride)
»Chloromanganokalite (Potassium Manganese Chloride)
»Chloroxiphite (Lead Copper Chloride Oxide Hydroxide)
»Cotunnite (Lead chloride)
»Cryolite (Sodium Aluminum Fluoride)
»Cryolithionite (Lithium Sodium Aluminum Fluoride)
»Cryptohalite (Ammonium Silicon Fluoride)
»Cumengeite (Hydrated Lead Copper Chloride Hydroxide)
»Diaboleite (Lead Copper Chloride Hydroxide)
»Douglasite (Hydrated Potassium Iron Chloride)
»Embolite (Silver Chloride Bromide)
»Erythrosiderite (Hydrated Potassium Iron Chloride)
»Ferruccite (Sodium Boron Fluoride)
»Fiedlerite (Lead Chloride Hydroxide)
»Fluocerite (Cerium Lanthanum Fluoride)
»Fluorite (Calcium Fluoride)
»Halite (Sodium Chloride)
»Hieratite (Potassium Silicon Fluoride)
»Jarlite (Sodium Strontium Aluminum Fluoride)
»Kempite (Manganese Chloride Hydroxide)
»Laurionite (Lead Chloride Hydroxide)
»Lawrencite (Iron Chloride)
»Lorettoite (Lead Chloride Oxide)
»Malladrite (Sodium Silicon Fluoride)
»Marshite (Copper Iodide)
»Matlockite (Lead Fluoride Chloride)
»Mendipite (Lead Chloride Oxide)
»Miersite (silver copper Iodide)
»Nantokite (Copper Chloride)
»Pachnolite (Hydrated Calcium Sodium Aluminum Fluoride)
»Paralaurionite (Lead Chloride Hydroxide)
»Penfieldite (Lead Chloride Hydroxide)
»Prosopite (Calcium Aluminum Fluoride Hydroxide)
»Pseudoboleite (Hydrated Lead Copper Chloride Hydroxide)
»Ralstonite (Hydrated Sodium Magnesium Aluminum Fluoride Hydroxide)
»Rinneite (Potassium Sodium Iron Chloride)
»Sal Ammoniac (Ammonium Chloride)
»Scacchite (Manganese Chloride)
»Sellaite (Magnesium Fluoride)
»Sylvite (Potassium Chloride)
»Tachhydrite (Hydrated Calcium Magnesium Chloride)
»Thomsenolite (Hydrated CalciumSodium Aluminum Fluoride)
»Villiaumite (Sodium Fluoride)

The Oxides Class

Including both Oxides and Hydroxides
The oxide class of minerals is a rather diverse class. It includes minerals that are quite hard (corundum) and some that are quite soft such as psilomelane. It has metallic minerals such as hematite and gemstones such as corundum, chrysoberyl and spinel. Many oxides are black but others can be very colorful. The large diversity of oxides can be partially attributed to the extreme abundance of oxygen in the Earth's crust. Oxygen comprises over 45% of the Earth's crust by weight. Most of this is locked up in more complex minerals based on chemical complex anions such as CO3, BO3, SO4, NO3, SiO4, PO4 and others. But great opportunities exist for single oxygen ions to combine with various elements in many different ways. In a strict sense, minerals that belong to the more complex mineral classes such as the Silicates are really oxides. But this would be cumbersome for mineralogists to be able to deal with only the four different classes of the elements class, the halides class, the sulfides class and finally the extremely large oxides class with all of its many subclasses and over 90% of all known minerals. By convention therefore, the oxides are limited to non complex minerals containing oxygen or hydroxide. Oxides also contain mostly ionic bonds and this helps distinguish members from the more complex mineral classes whose bonds are typically more covalent in nature. Quartz, SiO2, would be considered an oxide, and still is in some mineral guides and texts, except for its covalent silicon oxygen bonds and its structural similarity to the other TectoSilicates.
Hydrogen in the positive one (+1) state is really only a single proton and is so small that when it combines with oxygen it disappears into the oxygen and the resulting OH group is almost the same size as a single oxygen ion with a negative two (-2) charge. Hence the OH group can fit into many crystal sites that oxygen would otherwise occupy, but with a charge of only negative one (-1). The crystal would then need to be balanced by additional negative charges or fewer positive charges.
Oxides:
»Aeschynite (Rare Earth Yttrium Titanium Niobium Oxide Hydroxide)
»Anatase (Titanium Oxide)
»Bindheimite (Lead Antimony Oxide Hydroxide)
»Bixbyite (Manganese Iron Oxide)
»Brookite (Titanium Oxide)
»Chrysoberyl (Beryllium Aluminum Oxide)
»Columbite (Iron Manganese Niobium Tantalum Oxide)
»Corundum (Aluminum Oxide)
»Cuprite (Copper Oxide)
»Euxenite (Rare Earth Yttrium Niobium Tantalum Titanium Oxide)
»Fergusonite (Rare Earth Iron Titanium Oxide)
»Hausmannite (Manganese Oxide)
»Hematite (Iron Oxide)
»Ice (Hydrogen Oxide)
»Ilmenite (Iron Titanium Oxide)
»Perovskite (Calcium Titanium Oxide)
»Periclase (Magnesium Oxide)
»Polycrase (Rare Earth Yttrium Titanium Niobium Tantalum Oxide)
»Pseudobrookite (Iron Titanium Oxide)
»The Pyrochlore Group
(Rare Earths Calcium Sodium Uranium Titanium Niobium Tantalum Oxide Hydroxide)
* Microlite (Calcium Sodium Tantalum Oxide Hydroxide Fluoride)
* Pyrochlore (Sodium Calcium Niobium Oxide Hydroxide Fluoride)
»Ramsdellite (Manganese Oxide)
»Romanechite (Hydrated Barium Manganese Oxide)
»The Rutile Group:
  * Cassiterite (Tin Oxide)
* Plattnerite (Lead Oxide)
* Pyrolusite (Manganese Oxide)
* Rutile (Titanium Oxide)
* Stishovite (Silicon Oxide)
»Samarskite-(Y) (Rare Earth Yttrium Iron Titanium Oxide)
»Senarmontite (Antimony Oxide)
» The Spinel Group:
  * chromate (Iron Chromium Oxide)
* Franklinite (Zinc Manganese Iron Oxide)
* Gahnite (Zinc Aluminum Oxide)
* Magnesiochromate (Magnesium Chromium Oxide)
* Magnetite (Iron Oxide)
* Spinel (Magnesium Aluminum Oxide)
»Taaffeite (Beryllium Magnesium Aluminum Oxide)
»Tantalite (Iron Manganese Tantalum Niobium Oxide)
»Tapiolite (Iron Manganese Tantalum Niobium Oxide)
»Uraninite (Uranium Oxide)
»Valentinite (Antimony Oxide)
»Zincite(Zinc Manganese Oxide)
Subclass: Hydroxides
»Brucite (Magnesium Hydroxide)
»Gibbsite (Aluminum Hydroxide)
»Goethite (Iron Oxide Hydroxide)
»Limonite (Hydrated Iron Oxide Hydroxide)
»Manganite (Manganese Oxide Hydroxide)
»Psilomelane(Barium Manganese Oxide Hydroxide)
»Romeite (Calcium Sodium Iron Manganese Antimony Titanium Oxide Hydroxide)
»Stetefeldtite (Silver Antimony Oxide Hydroxide)
»Stibiconite (Antimony Oxide Hydroxide)

The Carbonates Class

Including the Carbonates, the Uranyl Carbonates , the Rare Earth Carbonates, the Nitrates, the Iodates and the Borates.

The carbonates and related nitrates and borates are common constituents of the earth's near-surface crust. This is a structurally-related as well as chemically-related group The basic anionic (negatively charged) unit of this class consists of a triangle where at the center resides either a carbon, nitrogen or boron atom. At every corner of the triangle sits an oxygen atom. The threefold symmetry of the triangle explains the trigonal symmetry that many members of this class possess. As long as the triangles of the anionic group fall in a plane parallel with the plane of the triangle and all other bonds in the structure, when viewed perpendicular to this plane, are multiples of three, and are evenly separated from each other, the mineral will have a trigonal symmetry.
As complicated as this seems it is in fact the simplest condition of the carbonates. Simplicity often expresses the highest symmetry. As a sphere is more symmetrical than a football; a simple carbonate is more symmetrical than a more complex carbonate and in fact has the highest symmetry of this class, bar 3 2/m.
Although somewhat varied, this class' properties can be generalized more so than the other classes. Typical carbonates are transparent, lightly colored with a white streak, average to above average in density, soft with good to perfect cleavage, soluble to at least some degree in acidic solutions, and tend to originate in sedimentary and oxidizing environments with the exception of carbonatite igneous intrusions. Most of these common characteristics are due to the common chemistry the group shares and members that diverge from the norm do so because of the effects of metal cations such as lead, copper, manganese and iron.
The Borate minerals as a whole are more complex in their structures than typical carbonates and could be considered their own class for that reason. For more discussion and a rather extensive list of borate minerals see the Borate Minerals page.

The Carbonates
»Alstonite (Barium Calcium Carbonate)
»Alumohydrocalcite (Hydrated Calcium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»
 *Aragonite (Calcium Carbonate)
* Cerussite (Lead Carbonate)
* Strontianite (Strontium Carbonate)
* Witherite (Barium Carbonate)
»Artinite (Hydrated Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Aurichalcite (Zinc Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Azurite (Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Barbertonite (Hydrated Magnesium Chromium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Barentsite (Sodium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide Fluoride)
»Barringtonite(Hydrated Magnesium Carbonate)
»Barytocalcite (Barium Calcium Carbonate)
»Baylissite (Hydrated Potassium Magnesium Carbonate)
»Beyerite (Calcium Lead Bismuth Carbonate Oxide)
»Bismutite (Bismuth Carbonate Oxide)
»Brenkite (Calcium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Brugnatellite (Hydrated Magnesium Iron Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Butschliite (Potassium Calcium Carbonate)
»The Calcite Group:
  * Calcite (Calcium Carbonate)
* Gaspeite (Nickel Magnesium Iron Carbonate)
* Magnesite (Magnesium Carbonate)
* Otavite (Cadmium Carbonate)
* Rhodochrosite (Manganese Carbonate)
* Siderite (Iron Carbonate)
* Smithsonite (Zinc Carbonate)
* Sphaerocobaltite (Cobalt Carbonate)
»Caresite (Hydrated Iron Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Chalconatronite (Hydrated Sodium Copper Carbonate)
»Charmarite (Hydrated Manganese Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Dawsonite (Sodium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»The Dolomite Group:
 * Ankerite (Calcium Iron Carbonate)
* Benstonite (Barium Strontium Calcium Manganese Magnesium Carbonate)
* Dolomite (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate)
* Huntite (Calcium Magnesium Carbonate)
* Kutnohorite (Calcium Manganese Magnesium Iron Carbonate)
* Minrecordite (Calcium Zinc Carbonate)
* Norsethite (Barium Magnesium Carbonate)
»Dresserite (Hydrated Barium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Dundasite(Hydrated Lead Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Eitelite (Sodium Magnesium Carbonate)
»Fairchildite (Potassium Calcium Carbonate)
»Gaylussite (Hydrated Sodium Calcium Carbonate)
»Georgeite (Hydrated Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Hellyerite (Hydrated Nickel Carbonate)
»Hydrocerussite (Lead Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Hydrodresserite (Hydrated Barium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Hydrotalcite (Hydrated Magnesium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Hydrozincite (Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Ikaite(Hydrated Calcium Carbonate)
»Indigirite (Hydrated Magnesium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Kalicinite (Potassium Bicarbonate)
»Kambaldaite (Hydrated Sodium Nickel Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Kettnerite (Calcium Bismuth Carbonate Oxide)
»Lansfordite (Hydrated Magnesium Carbonate)
»Leadhillite (Lead Sulfate Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Liebigite (Hydrated Calcium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Loseyite(Manganese Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Macphersonite (Lead Sulfate Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Malachite (Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Manasseite (Hydrated Magnesium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Monohydrocalcite (Hydrated Calcium Carbonate)
»Nahcolite (Sodium Bicarbonate)
»Natrite (Sodium Carbonate)
»Natrofairchildite (Sodium Calcium Carbonate)
»Natron (Hydrated Sodium Carbonate)
»Nesquehonite(Hydrated Magnesium Bicarbonate Hydroxide)
»Northupite (Sodium Magnesium Carbonate Chloride)
»Nyerereite (Sodium Calcium Carbonate)
»Olekminskite (Strontium Calcium Barium Carbonate)
»Paralstonite (Barium Calcium Carbonate)
»Para-alumohydrocalcite (Hydrated Calcium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Phosgenite (Lead Carbonate Cloride)
»Pirssonite (Hydrated Sodium Calcium Carbonate)
»Plumbonacrite (Lead Carbonate Oxide Hydroxide)
»Pokrovskite (Hydrated Magnesium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Pyroaurite (Hydrated Magnesium Iron Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Quintinite (Hydrated Magnesium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»The Rosasite Group:
  * Glaukospherite (Copper Nickel Carbonate Hydroxide)
* Kolwezite (Copper Cobalt Carbonate Hydroxide)
* Mcguinnessite (Magnesium Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)
* Nullaginite (Nickel Carbonate Hydroxide)
* Rosasite (Copper Zinc Carbonate Hydroxide)
* Zincrosasite (Zinc Copper Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Rouvilleite(Sodium Calcium Manganese Carbonate Fluoride Hydroxide)
»Sabinaite (Sodium Zirconium Titanium Carbonate Oxide)
»Sclarite (Zinc Magnesium Manganese Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Sergeevite (Hydrated Calcium Magnesium Carbonate Bicarbonate Hydroxide)
»Shannonite (Lead Carbonate Oxide)
»Sheldrickite (Hydrated Sodium Calcium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Shortite (Sodium Calcium Carbonate)
»Sjogrenite (Hydrated Magnesium Iron Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Stichtite (Hydrated Magnesium Chromium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Strontiodresserite (Hydrated Strontium Calcium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Susannite (Lead Sulfate Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Szymanskiite (Hydrated Mercury Nickel Magnesium Carbonate Oxide Hydroxide)
»Teschemacherite (Ammonia Bicarbonate)
»Thermonatrite (Hydrated Sodium Carbonate)
»Trona (Hydrated Sodium Carbonate Bicarbonate)
»Tunisite (Sodium Calcium Aluminum Carbonate Hydroxide Chloride)
»Tychite (Sodium Magnesium Carbonate Sulfate)
»Vaterite (Calcium Carbonate)
»Wegscheiderite (Sodium Carbonate Bicarbonate)
»Weloganite (Hydrated Sodium Strontium Calcium Zirconium Carbonate)
»Zaratite (Hydrated Nickel Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Zemkorite (Sodium Potassium Calcium Carbonate)

The Uranyl Carbonates

»Andersonite(Hydrated Sodium Calcium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Astrocyanite-(Ce) (Hydrated Copper Cerium Neodymium Lanthanum Praseodymium Samarium Calcium Yttrium Uranyl Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Bayleyite (Hydrated Magnesium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Bijvoetite-(Y) (Hydrated Yttrium Dysprosium Uranyl Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Fontanite (Hydrated Calcium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Grimselite (Hydrated Potassium Sodium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Joliotite (Hydrated Uranyl Carbonate)
»Liebigite (Hydrated Calcium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Metazellerite (Hydrated Calcium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Rabbittite (Hydrated Calcium Magnesium Uranyl Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Roubaultite (Copper Uranyl Carbonate Oxide Hydroxide)
»Rutherfordine (Uranyl Carbonate)
»Schrokingerite (Hydrated Sodium Calcium Uranyl Sulfate Carbonate Fluoride)
»Shabaite (Hydrated Copper Cerium Neodymium Lanthanum Praseodymium Samarium Calcium Yttrium Uranyl Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Sharpite (Hydrated Calcium Uranyl Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Swartzite (Hydrated Calcium Magnesium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Voglite (Hydrated Calcium Copper Uranyl Carbonate)
» Widenmannite(Lead Uranyl Carbonate)
»Zellerite (Hydrated Calcium Uranyl Carbonate)
»Znucalite (Hydrated Calcium Zinc Uranyl Carbonate Hydroxide)
The Rare Earth Carbonates
»Ancylite-(Ce) (Hydrated Cerium Lanthanum Strontium Calcium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Baiyuneboite-(Ce) (Sodium Barium Cerium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Bastnasite (Cerium Lanthanum Yttrium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Burbankite (Sodium Calcium Strontium Barium Cerium Carbonate)
»Calcioancylite (Hydrated Calcium Strontium Cerium Neodymium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Calkinsite-(Ce) (Hydrated Cerium Lanthanum Carbonate)
»Carbocernaite (Calcium Sodium Strontium Cerium Barium Carbonate)
»Cebaite (Barium Cerium Neodymium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Cordylite-(Ce) (Barium Cerium Lanthanum Carbonate Fluoride)
»Daqingshanite-(Ce) (Strontium Calcium Barium Cerium Lanthanum Phosphate Carbonate Hydroxide Fluoride)
»Donnayite-(Y) (Hydrated Sodium Strontium Calcium Yttrium Carbonate)
»Ewaldite (Barium Calcium Yttrium Sodium Potassium Carbonate)
»Gysinite-(Nd) (Hydrated Neodymium Lead Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Horvathite-(Y) (Sodium Yttrium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Huanghoite-(Ce) (Barium Cerium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Hydroxylbasnasite (Cerium Lanthanum Neodymium Carbonate Hydroxide Fluoride)
»Hydroxylcarbonate-(Nd) (Cerium Lanthanum Neodymium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Khanneshite (Sodium Calcium Barium Strontium Cerium Carbonate)
»Kimuraite-(Y) (Hydrated Calcium Yttrium Carbonate)
»Lanthanite (Hydrated Cerium Lanthanum Neodymium Carbonate)
» lokkaite-(Y) (Hydrated Calcium Yttrium Carbonate)
»Mckelveyite-(Y) (Hydrated Barium Sodium Calcium Uranium Yttrium Carbonate)
»Parisite (Calcium Cerium Lanthanum Neodymium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Reederite-(Y) (Sodium Yttrium Carbonate Sulfate Chloride)
»Remondite-(Ce) (Sodium Cerium Lanthanum Calcium Strontium Carbonate)
»Rontgenite-(Ce) (Calcium Cerium Lanthanum Carbonate Fluoride)
»Sahamalite-(Ce) (Magnesium Iron Cerium Lanthanum Neodymium Carbonate)
»Schuilingite-(Nd) (Hydrated Lead Copper Neodymium Gadolinium Samarium Yttrium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Shomiokite (Hydrated Sodium Yttrium Carbonate)
»Synchysite (Calcium Cerium Lanthanum Neodymium Yttrium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Tengerite-(Y) (Hydrated Calcium Yttrium Carbonate Hydroxide)
»Thorbastnasite (Hydrated Thorium Calcium Cerium Carbonate Fluoride)
»Tuliokite (Hydrated Barium Sodium Thorium Carbonate)
»Tundrite(Sodium Cerium Neodymium Lanthanum Titanium Niobium Silicate Carbonate Oxide Hydroxide)
»Zhonghuacerite-(Ce) (Barium Cerium Carbonate Fluoride)

See also mineral lists of these subclasses: the Borates, Nitrates and Iodates

The Sulfates Class

Included in this class are various subclasses: the Sulfites, the Chromates, the Molybdenates, the Selenates and Selenites, theTellurates and Tellurites and the Tungstates.
The Sulfates are an important mineral class and include some very interestingand attractive specimens. Although many minerals belong to this class only barite, gypsum, and anhydrite can be considered common. The basic chemical unit is the (AO4) complex anion with a charge of negative two (-2). The sulfites, selenites and tellurites (notice the spelling) have a basic unit of (AO3)The A can be either sulfur (S), chromium (Cr), tungsten (W),selenium (Se), tellurium (Te) and/or molybdenium (Mo). The principle anion group nevershares oxygens with other principle anion groups and this limits the structural possibilities. The A atom at the center of the AO4anion has a positive six charge (+6) and the oxygens have their obligatory negative two charge (-2). The AO4 anions form symmetricaltetrahedrons when A is either sulfur or chromium and flattened tetrahedronswhen A is either molybdenium, selenium or tungsten. The flattened tetrahedrons form a square outline and help produce (in most of those minerals) a tetragonal(four fold) symmetry, which is an uncommon symmetry in minerals. The typical Sulfate Class mineral is vitreous, average to above average in density,average in hardness and are originally formed in veins, oxidation zones,contact metamorphic zones and in evaporite deposits. Some Sulfate Class minerals are soluble and several are fluorescent. All other properties are variable.
Subclass: Sulfates
»Aluminite (Hydrated Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
»The Alunite Group:
» The Alunite Subgroup:
  * Alunite (Potassium Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Ammonioalunite (Ammonium Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Huangite (Calcium Aluminum Sulfate Oxide Hydroxide)
* Minamiite (Sodium Calcium Potassium Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Natroalunite (Sodium Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Osarizawaite (Lead Copper Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Walthierite (Barium Aluminum Sulfate Oxide Hydroxide)
» The Jarosite Subgroup:
  * Ammoniojarosite (Ammonium Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Argentojarosite (Silver Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Beaverite (Lead Copper Iron Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Dorallcharite (Thallium Potassium Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Hydroniumjarosite (Hydronium Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Jarosite (Potassium Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Natrojarosite (Sodium Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Plumbojarosite (Lead Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Amarantite (Hydrated Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Ammonioalunite (Ammonium Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Anhydrite (Calcium Sulfate)
» Aphthitalite (Potassium Sodium Sulfate)
» Argentojarosite (Silver Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
» The Barite Group:
   * Anglesite (Lead Sulfate)
* Barite (Barium Sulfate)
* Celestite (Strontium Sulfate)
* Hashemite (Barium Chromate Sulfate)
» Beaverite(Copper Iron Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
» The Beudantite Group:
  * Beudantite Lead Iron Arsenate Sulfate Hydroxide
* Corkite (Lead Iron Phosphate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Gallobeudantite (Lead Gallium Arsenate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Hidalgoite (Lead Aluminum Arsenate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Hinsdalite (Lead Strontium Aluminum Phosphate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Kemmlitzite (Strontium Cerium Aluminum Arsenate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Orpheite (Lead Aluminum Phosphate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Schlossmacherite (Hydrated Hydrogen Calcium Aluminum Arsenate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Svanbergite (Strontium Aluminum Phosphate Sulfate Hydroxide)
* Woodhouseite (Calcium Aluminum Arsenate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Blodite (Hydrated Sodium Magnesium Sulfate)
» Botryogen (Hydrated Magnesium Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Brochantite (Copper Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Burkeite (Sodium Carbonate Sulfate)
» Butlerite (Hydrated Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Caledonite(Copper Lead Carbonate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» The Chalcanthite Group
  * Chalcanthite (Hydrated Copper Sulfate)
* Jokokuite (Hydrated Manganese Sulfate)
* Pentahydrite (Hydrated Magnesium Sulfate)
* Siderotil (Hydrated Iron Sulfate)
» Charlesite (Hydrated Calcium Aluminum Silicon Hydroborate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Chessexite (Hydrated Sodium Calcium Magnesium Zinc Aluminum Silicate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Connellite (Hydrated Copper Sulfate Hydroxide Chloride)
» Copiapite(Hydrated Iron Magnesium Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Creedite (Hydrated Calcium Aluminum Sulfate Fluroide Hydroxide)
» Cyanotrichite (Hydrated Copper Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Despujolsite (Hydrated Calcium Manganese Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Devilline (Hydrated Calcium Copper Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Epsomite (Hydrated Magnesium Sulfate)
» Ettringite (Hydrated Calcium Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Glauberite (Sodium Calcium Sulfate)
» Goslarite (Hydrated Zinc Sulfate)
» Gypsum(Hydrated Calcium Sulfate)
» The Halotrichite Group
  * Apjohnite (Hydrated Manganese Aluminum Sulfate)
* Bilinite (Hydrated Iron Sulfate)
* Dietrichite (Hydrated Zinc Iron Manganese Aluminum Sulfate)
* Halotrichite (Hydrated Iron Aluminum Sulfate)
* Pickeringite (Hydrated Magnesium Aluminum Sulfate)
* Redingtonite (Hydrated Iron Magnesium Nickel Chromium Aluminum Sulfate)
* Wupatkiite (Hydrated Cobalt Magnesium Nickel Aluminum Sulfate)
» Hanksite (Sodium Potassium Carbonate Sulfate Chloride)
» Hauckite (Magnesium Manganese Zinc Iron Carbonate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Hectorfloresite (Sodium Iolate Sulfate)
» Heidornite (Sodium Calcium Borate Sulfate Chloride Hydroxide)
» Hexahydrite (Hydrated Magnesium Sulfate)
» Humberstonite (Hydrated Potassium Sodium Magnesium Nitrate Sulfate)
» Johannite (Hydrated Copper Uranyl Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Jouravskite (Hydrated Calcium Manganese Carbonate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» The Kieserite Group
  * Dwornikite (Hydrated Nickel Iron Sulfate)
* Gunningite (Hydrated Zinc Manganese Sulfate)
* Kieserite (Hydrated Magnesium Sulfate)
* Poitevinite (Hydrated Copper Iron Zinc Sulfate)
* Szmikite (Hydrated Manganese Sulfate)
* Szomolnokite (Hydrated Iron Sulfate)
» Ktenasite (Hydrated Copper Zinc Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Lanarkite(Lead Sulfate)
» Langite (Hydrated Copper Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Linarite (Lead Copper Sulfate hydroxide)
» The Melanterite Group
  * Bieberite (Hydrated Cobalt Sulfate)
* Boothite (Hydrated Copper Sulfate)
* Mallardite (Hydrated Manganese Sulfate)
* Melanterite (Hydrated Iron Sulfate)
* Zinc-melanterite (Hydrated Zinc Copper Iron Sulfate)
» Mirabilite (Hydrated Sodium Sulfate)
» Mooreite (Hydrated Magnesium Zinc Manganese Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Morenosite (Hydrated Nickel Sulfate)
» Mountkeithite (Hydrated Magnesium Nickel Iron Chromium Aluminum Carbonate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Nakauriite (Hydrated Copper Carbonate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Picromerite (Hydrated Potassium Magnesium Sulfate)
» Plumbojarosite (Lead Iron Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Polyhalite (Hydrated Potassium Calcium Magnesium Sulfate)
» Potassium alum (Hydrated Potassium Aluminum Sulfate)
» Rapidcreekite (Hydrated Calcium Carbonate Sulfate)
» Retgersite (Hydrated Nickel Sulfate)
» The Rozenite Group
  * Starkeyite (Hydrated Cobalt Manganese Nickel Sulfate)
* Boyleite (Hydrated Zinc Magnesium Sulfate)
* Ilesite (Hydrated Manganese Zinc Iron Sulfate)
* Rozenite (Hydrated Iron Sulfate)
* Starkeyite (Hydrated Magnesium Sulfate)
» Serpierite (Hydrated Calcium Copper Zinc Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Spangolite(Hydrated Copper Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide Chloride)
» Sturmanite(Hydrated Calcium Iron Aluminum Manganese Sulfate Tetrahydroxoborate Hydroxide)
» Tatarskite (Hydrated CAlcium Magnesium Carbonate Sulfate Chloride Hydroxide)
» Thaumasite (Hydrated Calcium Silicon Carbonate Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Thenardite (Sodium Sulfate)
» Torreyite (Hydrated Magnesium Manganese Zinc Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Ungemachite (Hydrated Potassium Sodium Iron Nitrate Sulfate)
» Uranopilite(Hydrated Uranyl Sulfate Hydroxide)
» Vanthoffite (Sodium Magnesium Sulfate)
» Voltaite (Hydrated Potassium Iron Sulfate)
» Wherryite (Lead Copper Sulfate Silicate Hydroxide)
» Woodwardite (Hydrated Copper Aluminum Sulfate Hydroxide
» Zippeite (Hydrated Potassium Uranyl Sulfate Hydroxide)

The Phosphates Class

Including the Phosphates, the Uranyl Phosphates, the Arsenates, the Antimonates and the Vanadates.
The Phosphate Class is made up of minerals with a basic chemical unit of tetrahedral (AO4) groups with a negative three (-3) charge. The A can be either Phosphorus, Arsenic, Vanadium or Antimony. The basic chemical unit can be combined with metal ions on a one to one ratio or usually in more complex combinations with other ions such as hydroxide groups (OH), uranyl groups (UO2), a halogen or even water molecules. The typical phosphate is vitreous to dull, often strongly colored, above average in density, average in hardness (4-7) and law in index of refraction unless ions such as lead are present. All other properties are variable. Many interesting and beautiful mineral specimens come from this class and although a large number of minerals are known to belong to this class, only some of the members of the Apatite Group are considered common.

See also these subclasses: Arsenates, Vanadates and the Antimonates

The Silicate Class

The Silicates are the largest, the most interesting and the most complicated class of minerals by far. Approximately 30% of all minerals are Silicates and some geologists estimate that 90% of the Earth's crust is made up of Silicates. With oxygen and silicon the two most abundant elements in the earth's crust Silicates abundance is no real surprise.
The basic chemical unit of Silicates is the (SiO4) tetrahedron shaped anionic group with a negative four charge (-4). The central silicon ion has a charge of positive four while each oxygen has a charge of negative two (-2) and thus each silicon-oxygen bond is equal to one half (1/2) the total bond energy of oxygen. This condition leaves the oxygens with the option of bonding to another silicon ion and therefore linking one (SiO4) tetrahedron to another and another, etc..
The complicated structures that these silicate tetrahedrons form is truly amazing. They can form as single units, double units, chains, sheets, rings and framework structures. The different ways that the silicate tetrahedrons combine is what makes the Silicate Class the largest, the most interesting and the most complicated class of minerals.
The Silicates are divided into the following subclasses, not by their chemistries, but by their structures:
 


 

 

 

 

The Nesosilicate Subclass (single tetrahedrons)
The simplest of all the silicate subclasses, this subclass includes all Silicates where the (SiO4) tetrahedrons are unbonded to other tetrahedrons. In this respect they are similar to other mineral classes such as the sulfates and phosphates. These other classes also have tetrahedral basic ionic units (PO4 & SO4) and thus there are several groups and minerals within them that are similar to the members of the nesoSilicates. NesoSilicates, which are sometimes referred to as orthoSilicates, have a structure that produces stronger bonds and a closer packing of ions and therefore a higher density, index of refraction and hardness than chemically similar Silicates in other subclasses. Consequently, There are more gemstones in the nesoSilicates than in any other silicate subclass. Below are the more common members of the nesoSilicates. See the nesoSilicates' page for a more complete list.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sorosilicate Subclass (double tetrahedrons)
SoroSilicates have two silicate tetrahedrons that are linked by one oxygen ion and thus the basic chemical unit is the anion group (Si2O7) with a negative six charge (-6). This structure forms an unusual hourglass-like shape and it may be due to this oddball structure that this subclass is the smallest of the silicate subclasses. It includes minerals that may also contain normal silicate tetrahedrons as well as the double tetrahedrons. The more complex members of this group, such as Epidote, contain chains of aluminum oxide tetrahedrons being held together by the individual silicate tetrahedrons and double tetrahedrons. Most members of this group are rare, but epidote is widespread in many metamorphic environments. Below are the more common members of the soroSilicates. See the soroSilicates' page for a more complete list.
 

 

 

 

The Inosilicate Subclass (single and double chains)
This subclass contains two distinct groups: the single chain and double chain Silicates. In the single chain group the tetrahedrons share two oxygens with two other tetrahedrons and form a seemingly endless chain. The ratio of silicon to oxygen is thus 1:3. The tetrahedrons alternate to the left and then to the right along the line formed by the linked oxygens although more complex chains seem to spiral. In cross section the chain forms a trapezium and this shape produces the angles between the crystal faces and cleavage directions.
In the double chain group, two single chains lie side by side so that all the right sided tetrahedrons of the left chain are linked by an oxygen to the left sided tetrahedrons of the right chain. The extra shared oxygen for every four silicons reduces the ratio of silicons to oxygen to 4:11. The double chain looks like a chain of six sided rings that might remind someone of a child's clover chain. The cross section is similar in the double chains to that of the single chains except the trapezium is longer in the double chains. This difference produces a difference in angles. The cleavage of the two groups results between chains and does not break the chains thus producing prismatic cleavage. In the single chained Silicates the two directions of cleavage are at nearly right angles (close to 90 degrees) forming nearly square cross sections. In the double chain Silicates the cleavage angle is close to 120 and 60 degrees forming rhombic cross sections making a convenient way to distinguish double chain Silicates from single chain Silicates. Below are the more common members of the inoSilicates. See the InoSilicates' page for a more complete list.
 

 

 

 

The Cyclosilicate Subclass (rings)
These Silicates form chains such as in the inoSilicates except that the chains link back around on themselves to form rings. The silicon to oxygen ratio is generally the same as the inoSilicates, (1:3). The rings can be made of the minimum three tetrahedrons forming triangular rings (such as in benitoite). Four tetrahedrons can form a rough square shape (such as in axinite). Six tetrahedons form hexagonal shapes (such as in beryl, cordierite and the tourmalines). There are even eight membered rings and more complicated ring structures. The symmetry of the rings usually translates directly to the symmetry of these minerals; at least in the less complex cycloSilicates. Benitoite's ring is a triangle and the symmetry is trigonal or three-fold. Beryl's rings form hexagons and its symmetry is hexagonal or six-fold. The Tourmalines' six membered rings have alternating tetrahedrons pointing up then down producing a trigonal as opposed to an hexagonal symmetry. Axinite's almost total lack of symmetry is due to the complex arrangement of its square rings, triangle shaped borate anions (BO3) and the position of OH groups. Cordierite is pseudo-hexagonal and is analogous to beryl's structure except that aluminums substitute for the silicons in two of the six tetrahedrons. There are several gemstone minerals represented in this group, a testament to the general high hardness, luster and durability. Below are the more common members of the cycloSilicates. See the CycloSilicates' page for a more complete list.
 

 

 

 

The Phyllosilicate Subclass (sheets)
In this subclass, rings of tetrahedrons are linked by shared oxygens to other rings in a two dimensional plane that produces a sheet-like structure. The silicon to oxygen ratio is generally 1:2.5 (or 2:5) because only one oxygen is exclusively bonded to the silicon and the other three are half shared (1.5) to other silicons. The symmetry of the members of this group is controlled chiefly by the symmetry of the rings but is usually altered to a lower symmetry by other ions and other layers. The typical crystal habit of this subclass is therefore flat, platy, book-like and display good basal cleavage. Typically, the sheets are then connected to each other by layers of cations. These cation layers are weakly bonded and often have water molecules and other neutral atoms or molecules trapped between the sheets. This explains why this subclass produces very soft minerals such as talc, which is used in talcum powder. Some members of this subclass have the sheets rolled into tubes that produce fibers as in asbestos serpentine.
Below are the more common members of the phylloSilicates. See the PhylloSilicates' page for a more complete list.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Tectosilicate Subclass (frameworks)
This subclass is often called the "Framework Silicates" because its structure is composed of interconnected tetrahedrons going outward in all directions forming an intricate framework analogous to the framework of a large building. In this subclass all the oxygens are shared with other tetrahedrons giving a silicon to oxygen ratio of 1:2. In the near pure state of only silicon and oxygen the mineral is quartz (SiO2). But the tectoSilicates are not that simple. It turns out that the aluminum ion can easily substitute for the silicon ion in the tetrahedrons up to 50%. In other subclasses this substitution occurs to a more limited extent but in the tectoSilicates it is a major basis of the varying structures. While the tetrahedron is nearly the same with an aluminum at its center, the charge is now a negative five (-5) instead of the normal negative four (-4). Since the charge in a crystal must be balanced, additional cations are needed in the structure and this is the main reason for the great variations within this subclass. Below are the more common members of the tectosilicate subclass. See the tectoSilicates' page for a more complete list.
 

 

 

 

The organics class of minerals cover minerals that have an organic chemical component in their formulas.
Mineral purists frown on there ever being a mineral with an organic chemistry. It breaks one of the four rules that determine what is and what is not a mineral. Or does it?
The four rules defining a mineral:
1. Minerals must have a repetitive crystalline structure.!
2. Minerals must have a determinable and precise formula.!
3. Minerals must be natural.!
4. Minerals must be inorganic.!
The last rule would exclude this class of minerals. But rule number four is really intended to exclude those substances that are created in a biological organism such as bones, shells, pearls, ivory, etc. The minerals in this class are created in a geological setting, along with and beside non-organic minerals. They just happen to have organic chemicals in their composition. The organic chemicals, not the minerals, are probably the result of biological activities, but not necessarily. The key here is that the minerals are the result of geological activities and not directly the product of organisms.
 

 

 

 

 

The Mineraloids Class:
The members of this unofficial class are often mistaken for minerals and are sometimes classified as minerals, but lack the necessary crystalline structure to be truly classified as such. Pearl, jet and amber are in addition the products of organic process that further remove them from full mineral status. These materials are found naturally, some are treated as gemstones and are included in most mineral references (which is why we decided to include them here!).