Minerals Classification

Flashcards covering primary, secondary, silicate, and non-silicate mineral classifications and chemical formulas.

Accessory minerals

Minerals that are present in small quantities, such as tourmaline and magnetite.

Primary minerals

A category of minerals including Feldspar ($K_2O \cdot Al_2O_3 \cdot 6SiO_2$), Quartz, Mica (muscovite and biotite), Olivine, and Tourmaline.

Feldspar

A primary mineral with the chemical formula $K_2O \cdot Al_2O_3 \cdot 6SiO_2$.

Muscovite

A primary mica mineral classified as white mica.

Biotite

A primary mica mineral classified as black mica.

Hematite

A non-silicate oxide secondary mineral with the formula $Fe_2O_3$.

Limonite

A non-silicate oxide secondary mineral with the formula $Fe_2O_3 \cdot 3H_2O$.

Geothite

A non-silicate oxide secondary mineral with the formula $FeO(OH) \cdot H_2O$.

Gibbsite

A non-silicate oxide secondary mineral with the formula $Al_2O_3 \cdot H_2O$.

Calcite

A non-silicate carbonate secondary mineral with the formula $CaCO_3$.

Dolomite

A non-silicate carbonate secondary mineral with the formula $CaMgCO_3$.

Gypsum

A non-silicate sulphate secondary mineral with the formula $CaSO_4 \cdot 2H_2O$.

Apatite

A non-silicate phosphate secondary mineral.

Kaolinite

A $1:1$ silicate clay mineral.

Illite

A $2:1$ non-expanding silicate clay mineral.

Vermiculite

A $2:1$ partially expanding silicate clay mineral.

Montmorillonite

A $2:1$ fully expanding silicate clay mineral.

Chlorite

A $2:1:1$ silicate clay mineral.