Mineralogy Overview

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to mineralogy, specifically focusing on silicate and nonsilicate minerals.

Silicate tetrahedron

The basic building block of silicate minerals, composed of one silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms.

Primary minerals

Minerals that are formed directly from the cooling of magma or lava, containing silicate tetrahedra.

Single-chain silicates

A silicate structure where the tetrahedra are linked in a single chain, examples include pyroxene.

Double-chain silicates

A silicate structure with two chains of tetrahedra that are linked, examples include amphiboles.

Hornblende

A common type of amphibole mineral characterized by its complex crystal structure.

Color in minerals

The appearance of a mineral determined by the light reflected from its surface.

Streak

The color of the powder formed when a mineral is scratched on a ceramic surface.

Luster

The shininess of a mineral, which can be classified as glossy, metallic, vitreous, or resinous.

Hardness

A measure of a mineral's resistance to scratching or abrasion.

Cleavage

The tendency of a mineral to break along specific planes of weakness.

Fracture

The way a mineral breaks when it does not cleave; it can be uneven or conchoidal.