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Minerals that are composed of atoms of a single element are referred to as native elements.
The minerals of the gold group all occur together in the periodic table of elements and have a common crystal structure. They all are soft, can be hammered out into thin sheets (malleable), drawn into wire (ductile), and cut into thin shavings with a knife (sectile). All are excellent conductors of heat and electricity, display metallic luster, have low melting points, and unusually high specific gravities.
Minerals of the platinum group include a number of rare minerals. These minerals are harder and have higher melting points than those of the gold group.
In the iron group, the element nickel is the same size as iron (has the same atomic radii) and can subsititue for some of it. This is known as a solid-solution. Iron-nickel solid solutions are found in metrorites and compose a large part of the Earth’s core.
The minerals of the semimetals group are rather brittle and much more poorer conductors of heat and electricity than the metals. These properties are due to the type of bonding between the atoms. The structure is made up of sheets that are weakly bonded together, giving rise to cleavage.
Formed in hydrothermal veins, this mineral comes in tin-white, tarnishing to dark grey or black. The name is derived from a Greek word meaning “masculine” from the belief that metals were of different sexes. More…
A bright metal of white color, this mineral was discovered in 1546 in Saxony, Germany. This is the chief ore of bismuth, which is used extensively for medicine and cosmetics. More…
This was one of the first metals to be worked into implements and the first metal to be smelted from ores. Its excellent ductility and high conductivity assure its use in modern society. Today, the greatest use of this mineral is for electrical purposes. It is named from the Greek “kyprios” of Cyprus, the location of ancient copper mines; Latin “cuprum.” More…
This mineral is the hardest natural substance known. It is formed deep in the mantle and is brought to the surface via kimberlite pipes. The name comes from the Greek “adamas”, ‘invincible’. They were first found in India which remained virtually their only source until they were discovered in Brazil in 1725. It is one of the most important gem stones. More…
Long prized for its beauty, this mineral also is resistant to chemical attack and workability. It has a relatively low melting point and is malleable. This mineral is often panned from placer deposits by taking advantage of its high density. The principal use is as a monetary standard. More…
Named from the Greek “graphein” , ‘to write’ by German chemist and mineralogist A.G. Werner in 1789. It most commonly occurs in metamorphic rocks and is used as a lubricant, the manufacture of refractory crucibles and of course, pencils. It is easily distinguished by its greasy feel and the dark marks left on your hands. More…
Found in large placer deposits during the 16th century Spanish conquest of South America, this mineral was called “platina del Pinto” after the Rio Pinto, Columbia. The uses of this mineral depend chiefly upon its hight melting point, resistance to chemical attack, and superior hardness. It is used in dentistry, surgical instruments, and jewelry. More…
This mineral is used in jewelry, tableware, coins, scientific equipment and in photographic processes. It was named after the Old English word “seolfor.” It is formed in hydrothermal veins and unlike gold, it tarnishes. More…
Sulfur can be easily identified by its yellow color and the “rotten egg” smell when burned. It can be found at or near the crater rims of active volcanoes and is frequently associated with the cap rock of salt domes in Texas, Louisiana, and the Gulf of Mexico. It is used in the manufacture of sulfuric acid, as fertilizers, insecticides, explosives, and in paper manufacture. More…