Types of minerals in geology

1. Be naturally-occurring (man-made materials such as metal are no longer minerals)
2. Be Inorganic (not living, or from vegetation or animals)
3. Be stable at room temperature (usually)
4. Have a common ordered inner shape (atoms have an orderly, repeated geometric pattern) which typically types crystals
5. Have a precise chemical composition (may range inside given limits) that is the identical in all places the mineral occurs

• Nonsilicate minerals: A mineral except silicon (Si).

• Silicate: Refers to the chemical unit silicon tetroxide, SiO4, the indispensable constructing block of silicate minerals. Silicate minerals make up most rocks we see at the Earth's surface.

1. Cleavage: The tendency of a mineral to spoil (cleave) alongside vulnerable planes.
2. Color: Most minerals have an awesome color whilst others are variable in color.
3. Hardness: A measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching. This is measured by scratching it towards some other substance of acknowledged hardness on the Mohs Hardness Scale
4. Luster: The reflection of mild from the floor of a mineral, described through its fantastic and intensity. Luster is described as metallic, glassy, dull, earthy, etc.
5. Streak: refers to the color of the residue left by way of scratching a mineral on a tile of unglazed porcelain, like a piece of chalk.
6. Specific gravity: the ratio of the density of a mineral to an equal extent of water.

Related: Golden Gate National Recreation Area, California

Quartz happens in all three rock kinds and and can be considered in parks such as:

• Glacier National Park, Montana
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
• Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina

Potassium feldspar (or alkali feldspar or K-spar) is a member of the feldspar mineral household and is a silicate mineral. It includes a huge quantity of potassium and is usually pink-salmon to white in color. Potassium feldspar has a hardness of 6. The crystals are stubby prisms and have a streaky look referred to as perthitic texture (as considered in picture on the left).

• Acadia National Park, Maine 

Plagioclase is a member of the feldspar mineral family. Plagioclase feldspars are but any other silicate that includes significant sodium or calcium. Plagioclase crystals are stubby prisms, typically white to gray and have a glassy luster.

Plagioclase feldspar can be determined in the igneous and metamorphic rocks at:

• Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
• City of Rocks National Reserve, Idaho

Micas are every other crew of silicate minerals composed of various quantities of potassium, magnesium, iron, aluminum, silicon and water. All micas structure flat, sheet-like crystals that peel aside alongside one cleavage plane into easy flakes. Biotite (pictured to the left) is a black or brown mica; muscovite is light-colored or clear mica. Mica is so tender (2.5 on Mohs scale) that it can be scratched with a fingernail.

• Mount Rushmore National Monument, South Dakota

The amphiboles are a household of silicate minerals that structure prism or needle-like crystals. Amphiboles are normally darkish coloured and include iron, calcium, and aluminum. Hornblende is the most frequent amphibole and is dark inexperienced to black in color. Amphiboles are frequent in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

• Denali National Park and Preserve, Alaska 

• Weir Farm National Historic Site, Connecticut

Olivine [(Fe, Mg)2SiO4] is a silicate mineral containing iron and magnesium. It is a green, glassy mineral that types at excessive temperatures. It is frequent in basalt and ultramafic rocks. Gem-quality olivine is known as peridot. A rock made up absolutely of olivine is referred to as dunite. Olivine most normally happens in igneous rocks and can be observed in andesite at:

• Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
• Devils Postpile National Monument, California

• Yosemite National Park, California

Talc (Mg3Si4O10(OH)2) is the softest recognised mineral and can be scratched with a fingernail. Upon contact, talc has a one of a kind greasy sense and a waxy/pearly luster. Talc is a foliated mineral and related with metamorphic rocks. It is an alteration product from the metamorphism of minerals such as serpentine, pyroxene and amphibole. Talc can be discovered in talc schist at:

• George Washington Memorial Parkway, District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia 
• National Capital Parks - East, District of Columbia

• Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
• Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Fluorite (CaF2) is viewed to be one of the most colorful minerals in the world. Common hues of fluorite consist of purple, green, yellow, and blue. Fluorite is additionally seen below ultraviolet light, a property that receives its name, fluorescence, from the mineral. Fluorite is regularly unsuitable for quartz however it has a lower hardness of four Fluorite is the nation mineral of Illinois which was once as soon as the biggest fluorite producer in the United States.