Beautiful pebbles. The most amazing minerals. Unusual properties of minerals

Forget about blue sapphires and icy diamonds - minerals can be just as beautiful, expensive and rare.

Opal contra pocket

“Contra Luz” translates as “against the light.” If you look at the stone from a certain angle, you can see the underwater world, distant galaxies, volcanic eruptions and the birth of new stars.

Fire opal

When you hold a fire opal in your hands, it seems that it is a drop of red-hot gold.

Black opal

The refraction of light reveals the secrets of the birth of a new Universe. A very rare and very expensive mineral.

Opal fossil

Reminiscent of the fossilized shell of an ancient snail.

"Empress of Uruguay"

The world's largest amethyst geode in cross-section sparkles in all shades of black, purple, and lilac. The play of glare involuntarily evokes associations with a portal to the endless Universe. By the way, the outside of the geode is an inconspicuous black stone.

Boulder opal

Algae sway inside the translucent stone, and colorful fish swim melancholy in the water warmed by the sun’s rays.

Fluorite

Fluorite is translated from the Latin fluor - “flow”. This unusual name was given to the mineral for its unique color: emerald green smoothly flows into soft lilac and dark purple.

Bismuth

What is this? Alien computer, chip or microcircuit? No, it's a dense and soft metal. When interacting with water, it oxidizes and becomes covered with a film that plays with the colors of the rainbow. Artificially grown bismuth has clear geometric shapes.

Titanium quartz

Multi-colored crystals are extremely popular at auctions: who would have thought that a rainbow mineral is the creation of scientists?

Rose Quartz Geode

Are the cosmogonic myths that the Universe originated from the World Egg really not an invention of the ancients? The regular rounded shapes of the geode, created by Mother Nature, and the amazing mixture of light and color prompt philosophical reflections on the mysteries of life.

Chrysocolla in malachite

Chrysocolla is a hydrous copper silicate that gives ornamental malachite a delicate bluish tint.

Azurite

Sparkling azurite shimmers in all shades of blue.

Scolecite

Coldly sparkling with its facets, this unusual flower will be a worthy gift for the Snow Queen. Perhaps he will melt the heart of the unapproachable beauty.

Watermelon tourmaline

The name of schorl speaks for itself: the bizarre combination of colors resembles a juicy slice of watermelon. Due to its polychrome (multicolor) nature, the mineral is classified as a precious stone.

Burmese tourmaline

Magical reflections of burgundy, rich sparkles of garnet and pink flicker mysteriously. Drop-shaped minerals are used to make stunningly beautiful pendants.

Crystalline bismuth

It seems that this is an artificial city with skyscrapers and suburban houses... No, this is crystalline round bismuth - space for the jeweler’s imagination.

Realgar on calcite - ice and fire

In the embrace of cold ice rests a raging flame that is beyond the control of anyone - flashes of crystals will soon melt the block and break free! Or not? Realgar and calcite will forever be together.

Cobaltocalcite

This rare pink mineral of unusual color is highly valued by collectors. Transparent stones are used for cutting.

Uvarovite

In the main photo there is a sharp, daring, crystal clear, perfectly regular mineral that arouses the genuine interest of collectors and jewelers, since it is... garnet. No, not the usual blood cherry, but rich green. The second name is Ural emerald.

Crocoite

Translated, “crocoite” means “saffron”. Indeed, oblong crocoite crystals look like dried crocus flowers.

Rhodochrosite

The second name is “Inca rose”. The Incas believed that the blood of their ancestors turned into a stone that was capable of granting strength to the people. It is considered one of the oldest ornamental stones.

Pink rhodochrosite

Another variety of Inca rose is a matte pink mineral.

Botswana (banded) agate

It seems that the Creator-artist brushed watercolors - there is no other way to explain these fantastic stains from milky white to coal black with a glaze of dark blue, dirty purple and azure blue...

Alexandrite

It is capable of changing shade depending on the time of day and lighting, which is why it is valued by jewelers. It is about this stone that they say that it is a ruby ​​in the evening and an emerald in the morning. The amazing property of changing shade is called pleochroism.

Ammonite

A variety of multifaceted opal, on the smooth surface of which you can see imprints of algae from the Proterozoic era and inclusions of unprecedented simple organisms... But this is just a fantasy! You can look at opals endlessly, finding more and more interesting landscapes with every second.

Cornelian

The stone, which resembles solidified lava, is indeed of volcanic origin: forming in a crater or bubbles of lava, it is imbued with the power of earth and fire.

Bentoite

The union of titanium and barium silicate gave birth to a very rare mineral, which is not inferior in beauty to precious sapphire.

Polychrome tourmaline

The mineral shimmers in more than five shades: from soft pink to red, from red to green. Translated from Sinhala it means “attractor of ash” and “magical multi-colored stone.”

Jewelry with stones looks amazing and is pleasing to the eye. But there are stones that can safely be called the most unusual and beautiful.

So, the top 10 most beautiful stones in the world

1. Alexandrite is a variety of the rather rare mineral chrysoberyl. The uniqueness of this stone lies in its pleochroism. In simple terms, alexandrite can change color, and such changes simply excite the imagination and shock.

So, in daylight it will delight the eye with different shades of green (grass, turquoise, olive), but in artificial light it can be crimson, purple or even red-violet. This unique ability is explained by the fact that alexandrite contains an extremely rare combination of minerals such as chromium, titanium and iron.

2. Painite belongs to the class of borates. This stone was discovered in 1956, and until recently there were only a few copies in the world, but in 2006 a new deposit was discovered. By the way, this mineral is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the rarest. The color of painite can vary from red-orange to brownish-red.

This color range is explained by the content of iron impurities in the mineral. The latest crystals found are almost opaque and have dark tones. By the way, if you look at painite under the light of an ordinary lamp, it will turn green. And this is its distinctive feature, which will reveal the original. But it is still almost impossible to acquire real painite.

3. Benitoite. Such a stone was found only in the USA, so it is also considered one of the rarest. But at the same time he is also incredibly handsome. In normal lighting the color will be deep blue. But if you shine ultraviolet rays on benitoite, you can see a stunning picture. The stone will glow from the inside, as if LEDs were placed in it.

This unique property still does not have any clear explanations, although the composition of the mineral has been thoroughly studied a long time ago. Since 1984, this stone has been considered a national gem in California. And its price can reach 4 thousand dollars per carat!

4. Red Diamond. In the entire history of mankind, only a few of these minerals have been found, because the red hue for diamonds is considered extremely rare. Only a few jewelers were lucky enough to hold this miracle of nature in their hands, much less work with it.

The largest specimen, which is known as the Red Shield, weighs a little more than 5 carats (which is almost 1 gram), and this weight, of course, compared to ordinary white diamonds (their weight can reach 600 carats) is negligible. Currently, searches are underway, but the deposits have not yet been discovered.

5. Red beryl. If you look at the photo, you can see a stunningly beautiful stone of a bright scarlet hue with a purple tint, shimmering in the light. It is incredibly durable and even when heated to 1000 degrees Celsius, it retains its properties.

This mineral is mined exclusively in the USA, and in only one state (Utah). Until recently, red beryl was available only to the wealthiest and most famous collectors, but to this day it remains quite rare and very expensive. The largest specimen weighs approximately 10 carats, which is about 2 grams.

6. Blue Garnet. In general, everyone is accustomed to the fact that garnet has a purple tint (this is probably why it got its name). But in fact, the tones of this mineral can be varied. The most common colors are red, pink, brown, black, orange, and yellow. Green and purple are much less common.

And blue is the rarest and one of the most beautiful. In daylight, such a stone pleases the eye with various shades of blue-green. But if you look at it under a lamp, it can turn dark purple.

7. Grandidierite. It is one of the rarest minerals on the planet (it is in the top ten). The deposit is found only in Madagascar, but the very first and most likely purest specimen was found in Sri Lanka.

There are very few crystals suitable for cutting; only a few cut stones are known in the world. Grandidierite is distinguished by pleochroism, that is, it can change shade from almost transparent or light green to rich green or even blue. Color will depend on viewing angle and lighting.

8. Padparadscha. This unusual word is translated as “morning dawn” or “sunrise”. Indeed, this stone, which, by the way, belongs to sapphires, has a stunning pinkish-orange color, which looks like the morning sun barely appearing over the horizon.

Deposits of this unique mineral are found in Sri Lanka, Madagascar and Tanzania. But today all the copies have been recovered, and the last and one of the purest ones was sold 20 years ago. The stone is considered a collectible, and one carat of weight is estimated at 30 thousand dollars.

9. Poudretti. The first minerals were discovered in Canada, and the stone itself got its name thanks to the Poudrette family, which, by the way, still owns the mine. The first mineral was extracted in 1987, but truly pure and high-quality specimens appeared only in the early 2000s. Powdertite has a delicate light pink tint. But an ordinary person is unlikely to be able to look at it, since there are only about 300 minerals in the world.

10. Taaffeit- a mineral that was discovered by Count Richard Taaffe (the stone was named after him), finding it in a batch of gems. The shade of this stone can vary from pale pink to lavender, and it shimmers amazingly in the light.

This mineral is found only in Tanzania and Sri Lanka. But still the deposits are negligible, so the total number of specimens is small. The largest stone weighs more than 9 carats, and the cost of one carat varies from 2 to 10 thousand dollars.

These were the most amazing stones in the world.

Mineralogy includes over 6 thousand minerals, and every year at least 10 new ones are added to this number, which were previously unknown to people. Their beauty can be judged by the fact that at all times there have been connoisseurs and collectors who could, without hesitation, shell out the cost of a fortune for one such specimen for their collection. The most beautiful of them were always associated with intrigue, and sometimes with crimes, to which people were pushed by greed or by the power of precious minerals that always attracted people to themselves.

It received its name from the town of Spessart, located in Bavaria. It was in this area that spessartine was first discovered, which at that time was considered the rarest mineral in the world. Later it was found in many countries of the world on various materials, but did not lose its value.

Spessartine belongs to the garnet group, in which it stands out in various shades of orange. Due to the presence of small bubbles of gas or liquid, the material looks especially mysterious.

In jewelry it is used exclusively as a collection material, so not everyone can afford to have spessartine jewelry. The largest specimen is located in the USA; it weighs 109 carats and amazes everyone who sees it with its beauty.

This copper arsenate mineral is rare enough to command a high price. It was first discovered in England at the end of the last century and immediately gained popularity for its exotic appearance. Beautiful rosettes consist of intergrown small crystals with a pearlescent or glossy sheen that resemble fantastic blue asters from other planets.

It could have become an ideal material for jewelry, if not for one property: when heated, it begins to emit an unpleasant odor, reminiscent of the smell of garlic, which is why clinoclase is not used in jewelry.

If all other minerals are found in the bowels of the earth, then pearls are born in the water element. This happens after a grain of sand gets inside the soft tissue of a sea mollusk. To get rid of irritation and scratches, the body of the mollusk begins to envelop the grain of sand with mother-of-pearl. The longer this process continues, the larger and more valuable the jewelry will be.

The cost of a pearl is determined not only by its size, but also by its shape, color, and shine. Sea pearls are also expensive because under their own weight they fall to the seabed, from where it is very difficult to get them. Those pearls in products that can now be purchased in jewelry stores are of artificial origin: grains of sand are planted into the mollusk using tools. To obtain a finished pearl, you need to wait a couple of years, after which it will have a decent size.

Black pearls, which can only be obtained in Tahiti from a certain type of mollusk, are considered especially expensive. However, the most expensive 203-gram pearl was cream-colored, and the price for which it was purchased was $12 million. Its owner and connoisseur was the magnificent Elizabeth Taylor.

The life of a pearl is not as long as that of other precious items: after 100-150 years it begins to fade and loses its pristine beauty.

This gem always takes pride of place at stone exhibitions, since it is simply impossible not to notice Rhodohrasite and to pass by such beauty. The sonorous name is translated from Greek as painted rose. It resembles this flower not only in color, but also in its interesting structure.

At one time, Rhodohrasite amazed the Incas with its beauty. They saw in it the embodiment of the blood of their ancient rulers, which froze in this mineral. In addition, it was actively used for practical magic.

Rhodochrosite has amazing strength, so it cannot be cut. Despite this, jewelry is made from it; they simply contain unprocessed elements, which often cost even more than gold.

In order for this gem to form, temperatures above 450°C are required, which is why extensive ruby ​​deposits are located at enormous depths: more than 10-30 km.

The cost of a ruby ​​depends on the color and presence of inclusions. An ideal stone should not contain such inclusions, as they affect the intensity of the surface's shine. In order for a ruby ​​to acquire its beauty, the skill of a jeweler is very important, who can make a beautiful cut, emphasizing the dignity of the mined material.

This stone has a very rich color and completely retains its color under artificial light sources, that is, it will look equally beautiful both in sunlight and indoors.

Most often, untreated emeralds contain a network of cracks and irregularities on their surface, but after processing, all defects disappear without a trace. Those gems that are initially endowed with an impeccable structure are valued very highly - from 8 thousand dollars per 1 carat. It is in this form that these unsurpassed gems end up at auctions, where collectors and connoisseurs buy them. The most expensive emerald, “Theodora,” weighing 1.87 carats, was purchased for $400 million. Before the find was processed, its weight was 28 kg.

In the 14th century, near Yekaterinburg, a gem with a unique property was discovered: it radically changed its color depending on the lighting.

Alexandrite received its name in honor of Tsar Alexander II, since it was he who was presented with such an unusual mineral as a gift on the day of the crowned person’s coming of age.

The shades and colors that a stone can exhibit span a significant portion of the spectrum, from blue-green in sunlight to purple in artificial light. There are very rare specimens with an olive tint.

Scientists explained that alexandrite changes color due to the presence of chromium oxide impurities in it, which refract rays differently. Since this beautiful gem is extremely rare in its pure form, people often try to fake it, which is why most of this material is fake.

Jewelry is practically not made from it, since almost all copies are sold out for collections of precious stones. In addition, alexandrite is credited with medicinal properties, such as purifying the blood and strengthening blood vessels. It is believed that a sudden change in color can indicate a spike in a person's blood sugar levels.

This stone is most often used to decorate wedding rings all over the world. Diamond consists of a single element in the periodic table – carbon. Until now, scientists cannot come to a consensus on when and how exactly this mineral was formed, since formation requires the highest pressure and temperature. These conditions are met at great depths, but the stone is found on the surface. The age of each diamond ranges from 900 million to 2.5 billion years. Their density is so high that a ray of sunlight while passing through the crystals reduces its speed by half.

Diamond is stolen more often than other jewelry in all banks in the world, and the largest number of crimes is associated with it. The last high-profile robbery occurred in 2007, when a thief gained the trust of bank employees by periodically treating them to chocolate. The value of the diamond that he was able to steal from the safe is $28 million.

In addition to the transparent stones that are familiar to us, which have no color, there are also green, blue, yellow, red and pink diamonds, which are valued even more. The red diamond is considered the most beautiful: a couple of years ago, a specimen weighing 0.97 carats was purchased for 1 trillion. dollars.

This is one of the minerals that people mention in their oldest chronicles. Red beryl is found even in the Bible: it was part of the divine stones with which the Heavenly Jerusalem was built.

Red beryl gained particular popularity during the Middle Ages, as it was often used for inlaying icons, altars, and church items. Jewelers could not ignore the beautiful stone: it was used to make seals for royalty, massive rings, earrings, pendants, etc. The beauty of beryl can fade from frequent exposure to sunlight, so such items were stored in tight boxes and worn only in the time of the most important events and great holidays.

In the 16th century, a bloody war broke out between the Spaniards and the Indians, during which the Spaniards tried to take possession of beryl, sacred to the Indians. However, the beauty of red beryl is no less valued even now: the cost of processed material ranges from 10 thousand dollars per 1 carat.

The beauty of this gem does not lie in the way the rays of light reflect off it. On the contrary: fire opal seems to absorb light. It looks as if there is a fire burning inside the stone, which gives it a peculiar glow.

This property is ensured by an interesting structure: the material consists of special balls that are frozen in a strictly defined order. The emergence of fire opal occurs at a rate of 1 mm per 2 thousand years. The structure contains up to 1/3 of water, so when heated or over time, it may become lighter due to the evaporation of moisture.

The beauty of this gem attracted people at different times: the Romans associated it with the tears of happiness of the gods, the Indians associated it with the scatterings of the goddess Rainbow, and the Arabs associated it with fragments of lightning. The demand for fire opals has always been great, so they were hunted, they were sought out and people were ready to sacrifice their lives for the sake of possessing these minerals.

One of the most coveted pieces in any private collection is a stone with a huge range of colors and iridescences. This mineral was a favorite among crowned persons, so many representatives of royal regalia from Russian emperors and European rulers to Tamerlane were its fans.

There are single-color or polychrome forms, in which different colors are alternately combined, or there may be clumps with a colored core. When heated strongly, tourmaline becomes even more beautiful: brown specimens turn into rich pink, and dark green specimens acquire a noble emerald color. Tourmaline has an interesting feature: when heated or rubbed, it becomes electrified.

This mineral became especially popular thanks to the great jeweler Faberge: when inlaying his works, he often preferred tourmaline, which can still be seen on most of the jewelry he created.

The name of the mineral was given by the philosopher Pliny the Elder. He believed that aquamarine was beautiful and clear, like sea waters, and it is difficult to disagree with this opinion.

This stone has always been used as decoration, but some of the aquamarine crystals make the best home decorations in themselves. Thus, in St. Petersburg there is a crystal that is 125 cm long, and in Brazil a specimen weighing 110 kg was discovered on the seabed.

In addition to its beauty, aquamarine also has healing properties: its action as a biostimulant helps strengthen the body, save from seasickness, restore vision and improve a person’s condition during allergies.

Aquamarine is not only beautiful, but also a very fragile material, so jewelry with it is not suitable for daily wear: it can simply be crushed by carelessness. But during special occasions, it will perfectly emphasize the solemnity of the moment.

The variety of beautiful stones and minerals that the bowels of our planet give us is inexhaustible. Among them you can find bright, saturated colors or noble, almost transparent specimens. Gems have a strange power of attraction, and anyone who has once seen them can never be indifferent to such beauty.

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Translated from medieval Latin, minera means ore. A mineral is a chemically and physically independent solid that has a relatively homogeneous composition. It arose as a result of physical and chemical processes of natural origin occurring in the bowels of the Earth and other planets. It usually refers to a constituent of rocks, meteorites or ores. Most of the well-known stones received their names in ancient times - at a time when the science of mineralogy did not yet exist, but people were already actively using many types of minerals.

The history of the use of mineral raw materials goes back many centuries: the Stone Age came long before the Bronze and Iron Ages. At this time, the main household tools and weapons were made from stone. Yes, people also used wood and bone, but the age was still called the Stone Age, and this is no coincidence, it was precisely this age that allowed them to make a much-needed leap in development.

Since ancient times, people have been attracted to minerals; their enchanting beauty and mysterious power do not leave anyone indifferent even now. The variety of shapes and colors, the splendor of shades created by nature, is mesmerizing. Ancient people worshiped precious stones, considering them symbols of immortality. And this is not surprising, because human generations fade into oblivion one after another, everything flows and changes, only stones remain forever. For a modern person, these things are not only luxury items and an excellent way to invest capital. They are a source of inspiration for poets and adornment for women, a subject of study for scientists and working material for jewelers.

People believe in the magical power that minerals contain. Scientists know how many secrets that have not been revealed by science are hidden in the strata of rocks and in the depths of the earth’s crust. For some it is a source of healing and inner strength, for others it is an object of admiration and admiration. But they do not leave anyone indifferent. Immerse yourself in the world of these dazzlingly beautiful gifts of nature, so diverse and delightful that you can admire them endlessly. Find out more about the treasures that lie right under our feet!

So what is a mineral?

Minerals are homogeneous natural bodies that are chemical compounds of a certain composition, have a crystalline structure and are formed as a result of geological processes. They are components of rocks.

Rocks are masses or aggregates of one or more mineral species or organic matter formed as a result of natural processes.

These are the materials that make up the earth's crust. There are hard, loose, soft and consolidated rocks.

There are some other concepts related to those above. A mineral variety is a group of minerals that have slight differences in chemical composition and physical properties. A mineral individual is understood to be a mineral body isolated by an interface.

Origin of minerals

Genesis is the process of mineral formation. Such processes are divided into three groups, depending on the energy source.

1. Magmatogenic (hypogenic) processes

Formation occurs by solidification and crystallization of magma.
This melt solution, consisting predominantly of silicates (silicon compounds) and containing all the chemical elements, either overcomes the resistance of the overlying rocks and flows to the surface, or remains in the depths and cools and crystallizes there. Accordingly, products are classified into effusive and intrusive, respectively.

Since any magma has a predominantly siliceous composition, the formation of silicates (siliceous minerals) occurs there. Many of them are rock-forming minerals that form granites, syenites, diorites and other crystalline rocks. To a large extent, they are represented by feldspars, granites, micas, hornblende, olivine, etc. During their formation, Si, Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Ti, K, Na, H2, O2 transition from magma to the residual melt.

When introduced into the earth's crust, the temperature of magma is about 1200°C. Towards the end of crystallization, it decreases to 500 - 600°C, and at this temperature, residual melt penetrates into rock cracks, forming pegmatite veins.

Some of the volatile substances fall through cracks into crystallized rocks. They act on the constituent minerals and transform them. This is how greisen, tungsten, molybdenum, tin and rare metal ores are formed in granites.

With a further decrease in temperature, hydrothermal solutions are released. From them deposits of gold, zinc, copper, silver, uranium, lead, antimony, mercury, tin, and arsenic are formed.

2. Metamorphic processes (endogenous)

They imply changes in minerals in the subsurface under the influence of pressure and temperature. These phenomena occur in connection with a change in the geological situation and the original occurrence of rocks.

Regional and contact metamorphism are distinguished. Processes of the first type affect large areas and occur at significant depths. In this case, schists and gneisses are formed. Contact metamorphism consists of the influence of magma (especially granite) during the intrusion of marl and limestone into strata. As a result, they turn into marbles and skarns. Deposits of iron, tungsten, molybdenum, tin, and cobalt are sometimes associated with them.

3. Exogenous processes

These phenomena are caused by external factors related to the energy of the Sun. They occur at normal pressure and low temperature at the earth's surface. They consist in the fact that exposed rocks and minerals located at shallow depths are subject to weathering (destruction) under the mechanical and chemical influence of water, sun, wind, organisms, etc. Some of the destroyed rocks and minerals are carried away, some remain in place, forming placers of gold, platinum, zircon, diamond, garnets, tin, magnetite, tungsten derivatives, etc. Many rock-forming minerals are destroyed and dissolved. Their salts are carried by water, and in arid areas they are deposited, forming deposits of gypsum, sodium and potassium salts, and mirabilite.

That is, exogenous mineral formation occurs as a result of the mutual action of factors of the atmosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere on minerals on the Earth’s surface. New minerals formed in this way from the original ones are called supergene.

In addition, there is a biochemical subtype of exogenous mineral formation. It consists in the transformation of the remains of organisms and their vital functions. As a result, combustible minerals, chalk, limestone, native sulfur, some brown iron ores, and phosphorites are formed. Feldspars, plagioclases, hornblende, etc. are very common.

Classification

The main ones, as a rule, are considered to be structural-chemical classification.

So, crystal chemical includes 9 types:

1. Silicates. Salts of silicic acids. They are represented by the most common rock-forming minerals in the earth's crust (more than 90% of its mass), which are part of all types of rocks. They include about 800 species, divided based on the structure of the crystal lattice into 6 subtypes: island, ring, chain, ribbon, layer, frame. These are feldspars, plagioclases, hornblende, etc.
2. Carbonates. About 80 items represented by salts of carbonic acid. The most common among them are magnesite, calcite, and dolomite.
3. Oxides and hydroxides. This includes about 200 mineral compounds with oxygen and hydroxyl groups. They are divided into compounds with silicon (quartz, etc.) and compounds with metals (hematite, limonite, etc.). They make up about 17% of the mass of the earth's crust.
4. Sulfides. About 200 compounds with sulfur (pyrite, bornite, cinnabar, etc.).
5. Sulfates. Approximately 260 mineral species, represented by salts of sulfuric acid (gypsum, barite, anhydrite, etc.).
6. Halides. Salts of halide acids. Includes about 100 items (halite, sylvite, fluorite, etc.).
7. Phosphates. Salts of phosphoric acid, including apatite and phosphorite.
8. Tungstates. Salts of tungstic acid (wolframite, scheelite, etc.).
9. Native elements. Includes 45 items consisting of one element (gold, sulfur, diamond, etc.).

Structural-chemical

There is also a structural-chemical classification close to this. According to it, there are two types: inorganic and organic minerals.

The first include the following classes:

• native elements and intermetallic compounds;
• nitrides, carbides, phosphides;
• sulfides, sulfosalts and the like;
• halogen compounds and halogen salts;
• oxides;
• oxygen salts.

Based on their prevalence, minerals are divided into four types:

• 1. Rock-forming. They make up the majority of rocks.
• 2. Accessory. Often present in them, but usually constitute up to 5%.
• 3. Ore. They form significant accumulations in the form of ore deposits and contain industrially valuable components.
• 4. Rare. Few or isolated.

There are three forms of being in nature:

1. Mineral individuals. These are components of aggregates, represented by crystals, grains and other precipitates, separated by interfaces.
2. Mineral aggregates. Intergrowths of individuals of one or different minerals that do not have clear signs of symmetrical figures. There are single- and multi-stage ones.
3. Mineral bodies— accumulations of aggregates with natural boundaries. They can range in size from microscopic to comparable to geological objects.

In addition, the genetic classification discussed above is used.

Secondary minerals

This is the name given to minerals formed during metasomatism, during the weathering of other minerals and rocks, that is, during processes that transform already formed rocks. Escala (Finnish petrographer) called these minerals posterior (in Latin - subsequent).

These minerals in igneous rocks include: epidote, zoisite, serpentine, muscovite, tourmaline, talc, calcite... In other words, all hydroacidic and carbonate compounds that cannot be released from the fiery liquid magma. But many minerals, generally formed directly during the solidification of magma, can be present in one rock or another as a secondary mineral (for example, quartz, ore minerals, and others).

The distinction between secondary and primary formations is essential in petrography. Primary constituents illuminate the conditions of rock genesis, and secondary minerals make it possible to trace the course of certain changes and transformations that the rock has undergone.

Finally, minerals are classified according to their practical significance, as follows.

Properties

Properties are divided into chemical, physical, optical, magnetic.

Chemical properties determined by the elements included in the composition: the chemical formula of the mineral. It is also these properties that determine the solubility of minerals and acids.

Physical properties determined by the chemical composition and their crystal structure. Some of them appear depending on the crystallographic direction. Based on this parameter, they are divided into scalar and vector (the former are dependent, the latter are not). Scalar properties include density, vector properties include hardness, and crystallographic features.

Physical properties are also classified into mechanical, optical, magnetic, luminescent, thermal, electrical, and radioactivity.

Many parameters are used to determine minerals in the field (diagnostic properties). In addition to the main external characteristics, such as shape and color, hardness, separation, cleavage, fragility, shine, and fracture are used for this purpose. Some minerals are diagnosed by flexibility, malleability and elasticity.

According to mechanical properties you can find:

• fragile (main part);
• malleable;
• inflexible (among leafy and scaly ones);
• brittle and flexible (fibrous minerals).

Fragility— the strength of mineral grains, manifested by mechanical splitting.

Among the physical properties, a very important indicator of minerals is hardness. On its basis, a 10-digit Mohs scale was created. In it, each value corresponds to a mineral (from talc to diamond). It should be taken into account that for some mineral types this parameter differs for different sides (for example, for kyanite 5.5 and 7). This is explained by the unequal density of the crystal lattice.

Cleavage This is the ability to split along crystallographic directions.

Tarnish— the presence of a thin colored or multi-colored film on a weathered surface. It is the result of oxidation.

Kink This is an important diagnostic property. Thanks to it, the surface of the fragments formed upon impact is characterized, forming surface features on a non-fused fresh chip.

Density is the mass per unit volume of a substance. It is also called specific gravity. According to their density, minerals can be:

• light - up to 2500 kg per cubic meter;
• medium - from 2500 to 4000 kg per cubic meter;
• heavy - from 4000 to 8000 kg per cubic meter;
• very heavy from 8000 kg per cubic meter or more.

The density of a mineral directly depends on its composition, type of structure, number of microinclusions and their nature, as well as on phenomena such as metamictity and hydration.

Specific Gravity It is the ratio of the density of the mineral to the density of water. It is used to determine unit mass and serves as a diagnostic sign for some classes. Thus, native metals and intermetallic compounds have the highest value of this parameter (for example, for gold it is 19.3 g/cm3), among common minerals are oxides and sulfides, due to the presence of elements with high atomic mass in the composition.

Optical properties

Color. In some minerals it is definite, in others it is very variable. The latter can be explained by the presence of many modifications or polychroism. In the first case, due to the inclusion of impurities in the chemical composition, the mineral receives a different color. In the second, the crystals change color depending on the direction of light.

• White stone
• Black stones
• Red colors and gems
• Orange stone
• Yellow stone
• Green stone
• Blue stone
• Blue stone
• Purple stone
• Lilac stone
• Pink stone
• Brown stone
• Transparent stones

Trait color. Appears when scratched. Same as the color of the mineral in powder. Gloss is a light effect created by the reflection of part of the light flux. Determined by reflectivity.

Refraction, polarization, and dispersion characterize optical constants.

Magnetic properties determined by the content of divalent iron.

Place of Birth

Large accumulations of minerals are called deposits. There are several classifications of them.

• According to the aggregate state of mineral substances, they are divided into gas, liquid, and solid.
• By industrial use: ore, combustible, non-metallic, hydromineral.
• According to the complexity of the geological structure: simple (group 1), complex (group 2), very complex (group 3), with small bodies, disturbed bedding, variability in thickness and structure, or uneven quality (group 4).
• By location relative to the earth's surface: open, buried.
• According to the conditions of formation: magmatic, metamorphic, exogenous.

You can find out more about minerals in the section Mineral deposits. We have descriptions of more than 40,000 locations around the world.

Application

About 15 percent of minerals known today are used in industry. Some minerals are used to make various types of metals and some other chemical elements.

The use of certain types of minerals for technical purposes based on their physical properties:

• hard minerals such as diamond, garnet or agate are used to make abrasive and anti-abrasive materials;
• stones with piezoelectric properties such as quartz are used in the radio-electronic industry;
• muscovite or phlogopite, related to micas, due to the presence of electrical insulating properties, are used in radio and electrical engineering;
• quartz or pyrophyllite - in the manufacture of ceramic products;
• talc - for the production of lubricants and in the medical industry;
• asbestos is used as a heat insulator;
• Iceland spar or fluorite is used in the production of optics.

Mineral raw materials are used in all industries. Depending on the possibility of application, minerals are divided into ore and non-ore. Metallic elements are extracted from the former, and non-metallic raw materials are extracted from the latter for the production of construction, medical, chemical and other products.

Separately, the aesthetic significance of minerals should be noted. The stones used in jewelry are well known. Even more of them are used as ornamental raw materials and in their original form as exhibits in museums and collections.

There are classifications based on value. In accordance with one of them (VNII Yuvelirprom), they are divided into jewelry (diamond, pyrite, pearls, etc.), jewelry and ornamental (fibrolite, aventurine, azurite, etc.) and ornamental (obsidian, onyx, alabaster, etc.) .

A similar classification is better known, according to which minerals are divided into precious, semi-precious and ornamental.

Such classifications are very conditional, since they use primarily aesthetic standards and several parameters (hardness, chemical composition, color, etc.) and there are no clear limits for any of them.

Popular minerals

Diamond is a cubic modification of carbon. In its pure (transparent) form it is represented only by this element. Colored versions include various impurities. It is synthesized in several ways from carbon. It is the hardest mineral (10 on the Mohs scale). Used in glass cutters, drilling equipment, jewelry.

Emerald- modification of beryl with an admixture of Cr3+ or V and Fe oxides. It differs from it in its green color and transparency. Found in crystals and aggregates. It is of metamorphic origin. It has high hardness (7.5 - 8) and acid resistance. Artificial emeralds are characterized by lower density and refractive index. Mainly used in the jewelry industry.

Ruby represented by a modification of corundum with an admixture of Cr3+, Fe3+, V3+. It differs from it in red color (purple, brown). Synthetic stones are obtained by growing corundum from a melt. They are characterized by uniform coloring, unlike natural ones. The second hardest mineral after diamond (9). Used in instrument making, watch production, laser technology, and jewelry industry.

Sapphire- a type of corundum, including impurities Fe3+, Fe2+, Ti. From a mineralogical point of view, sapphire is considered exclusively blue, and from a jewelry point of view - any color except red. Synthetic varieties come in both pure (colorless) and mixed (various colors). Used in ophthalmology, dentistry, the production of glass and protective screens, and the jewelry industry.

Alexandrite- a variety of chrysoberyl with an admixture of Cr. It is distinguished by strong pleochroism (changes color from dark blue-green shades to purple), there are transparent options. Hardness - 8.5. It is of igneous origin. Artificial crystals are obtained by two methods. Mainly used in the jewelry industry.

Pearl- biogenic formation. Formed in mollusk shells. It is not a mineral, but it contains aragonite. It is represented by round or irregularly shaped bodies with a hardness of 3 - 4. It comes in various colors (white, black, blue, yellowish, green, pink, etc.). There are imitations made of glass and plastic. Mainly used in the jewelry industry.

Amber- a biogenic formation represented by fossilized resin of the Paleogene and Upper Cretaceous periods. It occurs in the form of amorphous formations with a hardness of 2 - 2.5. Color - from light yellow to brown, colorless, red, greenish, white. There are imitations made from natural resins and plastics. Mainly used in the jewelry industry, less in the pharmaceutical, electronic, chemical, food and perfume industries.