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Color is useful in recognizing some minerals, but not all. N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1998. Color adds value to gems. N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1999. Streak , the color of the mineral’s powder, may be more useful than color in identifying a mineral. N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1998.
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Color is useful in recognizing some minerals, but not all N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1998
Color adds value to gems N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1999
Streak, the color of the mineral’s powder,may be more useful than color in identifying a mineral N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1998
Structure of Silicate Minerals Most rocks consist of silicate minerals. The silicon-oxygen tetrahedron is the building block of silicate minerals Four oxygen ions surround a much smaller silicon ion © Houghton Mifflin 1998; Lindsley, 2000
The silicate tetrahedron consists of 4 large oxygen atoms around a smaller silicon atom Expanded View Two tetrahedrons link together by sharing an oxygen at one corner N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1999
Silicate tetrahedrons can form chains, sheets, and three-dimensional nets by sharing their oxygen atoms. Each influences mineral properties. N. Lindsley-Grifin, 1999
Tetrahedral Linkages A. Isolated tetrahedra - Olivine B. Single chain - Pyroxene C. Double chain - Amphibole D. Sheets - Micas, clay, talc E. Framework - Quartz, feldspar © Houghton Mifflin 1998. All rights reserved
Polymorphs are minerals with the same chemical composition, but different internal atomic structures CaCO3 N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1998
SUMMARY: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES of MINERALS Crystal Structure Crystal Form Interfacial Angles Habit Cleavage Fracture Hardness Luster Color Streak Specific Gravity (Density) © Houghton Mifflin 1998; N. Lindsley-Griffin, 1999. All rights reserved