.:: Mineralogy 4 Kids ::.
You are here: Home >> Mineral Groups >> Sulfates and Chromates
The basic unit of the sulfate minerals are the SO4 groups. These groups combine with metals to form the sulfate minerals. Barite, gypsum, and anhydrite are the most common sulfate minerals.
Minerals of the sulfate class:
have vitreous luster
average to above average density
average hardness
originally formed in veins, oxidation zones, contact metamorphic zones and evaporite deposits
some are soluble
several are fluorescent
Named from the Latin for alum, this mineral is also called alumstone. It was discovered in Latium, Italy in 1824 and is formed by sulfuric acid solutions acting on rocks rich in potash feldspar. In Marysvale, Utah, it has been mined and treated to recover potassium and aluminum. More…
A minor ore of lead, this mineral was discovered in 1832 on the island of Anglesey, from which is was named, in Wales, U.K. It is recognized by its high specific gravity, adamantine luster, and association with galena. It is a common supergene mineral found in the oxidized portions of lead deposits. More…
Occuring in sedimentary evaporite deposits and the cap rock of salt domes, this mineral was discovered in 1804 in Tyrol, Austria. Ground mineral is used as a soil conditioner and as a source of sulfur for the production of sulfuric acid. It’s name comes from the Greek meaning “without water” in allusion to the lack of water in its composition, in contrast to gypsum, which contains water. More…
Named after the type locality at the Antler Mine in Arizona, this is a secondary mineral occurring in the oxidized zone of copper deposits in arid regions. It was the chief ore mineral at Chuquicamata, Chile, the largest open pit copper mine in the world. More…
Also spelled, baryte, this mineral is recognized by its high specific gravity and characteristic cleavage and crystals. It is a common mineral of wide distribution, occurring as a gangue mineral in hydrothermal veins and limestones. More than 80% of this mineral is used in the oil and gas industry as a drilling mud. It is named from the Greek word meaning “heavy” in allusion to its high specific gravity. More…
By far the most common strontium mineral, it closely resembles barite. It is used in the preparation of strontium nitrate for fireworks and tracer bullets, and other strontium salts used in the refining of beet sugar. It was named in 1791 from the Greek for “celestial”, in allusion to the faint blue color of the original specimen. More…
A rare mineral due to it being a water-soluble sulphate. It is a secondary blue-colored mineral formed in arid climates or in rapidly oxidizing copper deposits. It usually forms post-mining, crystallizing on mine walls and by the action of acidic surface waters on copper veins. It was discovered in 1853 at the Chuquicamata Mine, Chile, where it is an important ore mineral. Named from two Greek words meaning “brass/copper” and “flower.” More…
This mineral has a bright hyacinth-red color and an orange-yellow streak. It is commonly found as crystals which are translucent with an adamantine luster. It isn’t abundant enough to be of commercial value, but of historic interest, since the element chromium was first discovered in crocoite. Its name is from the Greek meaning “saffron” in allusion to the color. More…
Commonest of the sulfate minerals, this mineral is found in marine evaporites, in caves, fumaroles, and in the oxidized zones of sulfide deposits. When formed as clear crystals it is referred to as selenite, the fibrous variety is known as satin spar and also forms in “roses.” It is used chiefly for the production of plaster of Paris, wallboard, and fertilizer. Named in antiquity from the Greek, meaning plaster. More…