Minerals Set #1: Elemental and Oxide Minerals

Learn to identify each of these minerals. This means: learn their physical properties, and the information below. Physical properties may be found in the back of the Perkins text.

 

Mineral

Formula

Crystal System

Occurrences and properties

Graphite

C

Hexagonal

Metamorphic rocks

Sulfur

S

Orthorhombic

Volcanic Precipitate, and in some sedimentary rocks

Native Copper

Cu

Cubic

With other Cu ores - formed via reduction reactions

Hematite

Fe2O3

Hexagonal

Sedimentary iron ores/banded iron formations

Magnetite

Fe3O4

Cubic

Common in igneous and metamorphic rocks/banded iron formations

Ilmenite

FeTiO3

Hexagonal

Minor mineral in mafic igneous rocks

Rutile

TiO2

Tetragonal

Minor mineral in mafic igneous and metamorphic rocks -very high luster

Corundum

Al2O3

Hexagonal

Aluminum-rich metamorphic rocks

Chromite

FeCr2O3

Cubic

Minor mineral in ultramafic igneous rocks - occurs with pink chlorite Kammererite

Goethite

FeO•OH

Orthorhombic

Weathered iron ores; may develop in lateritic soils.

Boehmite

AlO•OH

Orthorhombic

Primary constituent of Bauxite Al ore; forms in lateritic tropical soil horizons