Examples of Minerals

Minerals are solid substances which are found in nature. Atoms which make up minerals are fitted together to form a crystal. Chemical composition that is the kinds of atoms in any given crystal is the same for every crystal of the same kind. Gold, diamond, rock salt and graphite used to make lead in pencils are examples of minerals.

Each mineral is different but many times minerals do look like one another. Streak test, colour, lustre, cleavage and fracture are ways of identifying minerals.

Classification of Minerals

Minerals refer to naturally occurring homogeneous solids with a given chemical composition and a highly ordered atomic arrangement, which are mostly formed by inorganic processes. They are defined as naturally occurring substances with a crystalline structure. Minerals are mainly classified into two types based on their occurrence: metallic and non-metallic. Metallic minerals refer to those which are found in the form of solid masses of metal, for example, gold, silver, copper, etc. Non-metallic minerals, are not found in the form of metals and include materials such as coal, limestone, etc.

Table of Content

  • Examples of Minerals
  • Different Types of Minerals
  • Metallic minerals
  • Ferrous Minerals 
  • Non-Ferrous Minerals
  • Non-Metallic Minerals 
  • Difference Between Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals

 

Similar Reads

Examples of Minerals

Minerals are solid substances which are found in nature. Atoms which make up minerals are fitted together to form a crystal. Chemical composition that is the kinds of atoms in any given crystal is the same for every crystal of the same kind. Gold, diamond, rock salt and graphite used to make lead in pencils are examples of minerals....

Different Types of Minerals

Minerals are classified into two types: Metallic and Non- Metallic....

Metallic minerals

These are minerals that contain one or more metals. Iron, copper, gold, bauxite, and manganese are examples of metallic minerals that occur as mineral deposits and are great conductors of heat and electricity. They are malleable and ductile, allowing them to be easily hammered into thin sheets or stretched into wires to form new things....

Ferrous Minerals

Ferrous minerals are those that have magnetic properties because of the presence of iron in the form of hydroxides, carbonates, or sulphides. These minerals are essential for a country’s metallurgical sector to thrive. Examples include hematite, magnetite, manganese, and other ferrous minerals. India exports a large number of ferrous minerals. These minerals provide a firm foundation for the expansion of metallurgical businesses. These minerals account for almost three-fourths of the total metallic mineral output value....

Non-Ferrous Minerals

Non-ferrous metals are alloys or metals that do not include iron. Other non-ferrous elements are non-ferrous, with the exception of iron (Fe), which is frequently referred to as ferrite after the Latin word Ferrum, which means “iron.” Nonferrous metals are more expensive than ferrous metals, but they have desirable attributes including lightweight (aluminium), high conductivity (copper), nonmagnetic properties, and corrosion resistance (zinc)....

Non-Metallic Minerals

Non-metallic minerals include limestone, mica, coal, gypsum, dolomite, phosphate, salt, manganese, granite, and others. Non-Metallic are used in a variety of industries to produce a wide range of commodities. They are most typically found in sedimentary rocks, which form due to the aggregation of various components such as minerals, biological remains, rock particles, and so on....

Difference Between Metallic and Non-Metallic Minerals

Metallic Minerals Non-Metallic Minerals These type of minerals contain metals in chemical composition. These types of minerals donot contain metals in their chemical composition, They mostly have a shiny appearance. They do not have shiny appearances. They are found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. They are mostly found in sedimentary rocks. Metals can be obtained by melting these metallic minerals. Metals cannot be obtained by melting them. They are ductile. They are not brittle or ductile. They are malleable. They are not malleable. They are good conductors of heat and electricity. They are poor conductors of heat and electricity....

FAQs on Classification of Minerals

What are minerals?...