#1. Minerals, Rocks and Gemstones.
A mineral is a naturally occurring substance that is solid and stable at room temperature. It has an ordered atomic structure and is representable by a chemical formula. A rock can be an aggregate of minerals or non-minerals, and does not have a specific chemical composition.
The exact definition of a mineral is under debate, especially with respect to the requirement a valid species be abiogenic, and to a lesser extent with regards to it having an ordered atomic structure. Mineralogy is the study of minerals.
There are over 4,900 known mineral species; over 4,660 of these have been approved by the International Mineralogical Association ( I.M.A ).
Over 90% of the Earth's crust is composed of Silicate minerals. The diversity and abundance of mineral species is controlled by the Earth's chemistry. Silicon and oxygen constitute approximately 75% of the Earth's crust, which translates directly into the predominance of silicate minerals.
Chemical and Physical properties distinguish the minerals. Chemical composition and crystal structure distinguish the various species. These properties are influenced by the mineral's geological environment of formation. Changes in the temperature, pressure, and bulk composition of a rock mass cause changes in its mineralogy. When the temperature and pressure change, its mineralogy changes as well.
Minerals can be described by their physical properties, which relate to its chemical structure and composition. Crystal structure, habit, hardness, luster, whether or not it is diaphanous, color, streak, tenacity, cleavage, fracture, parting and specific gravity are the common distinguishing characteristics. Reaction to acid, magnetism, taste, smell and radioactivity are the more advanced tests.
Minerals are classified by key chemical constituents. Silicates, sulfides, oxides, halides, carbonates, sulfates, phosphates and naive elements are the important mineral groups.