Thestudy of minerals and their structure, chemistry and physical properties
isknown as mineralogy. Mineralogy also encompasses several other processes,
whichinclude classification,distribution worldwide, formation, origin
andutilization. A Brief History of MineralogyResearchinto mineralogy has been
documented as far back as ancient times and its modernstudyis believed to be
founded upon the principles of another study, crystallography.GeorgiusAgricola
developed several works focused on the study of rocksand metals, which spurred
thesubjects scientific approach. However,the earliest writings concerning
mineralogy date back toancientBabylonia and ancient India. TheIMA, or
International Mineralogical Association, was formed in 1958 in an effort
tostandardize several aspects included in the study of mineralogy.This
organization is made up ofmineralogists in countries around the world.Together,
they manage the tedious tasks of namingminerals, documentingmineral locations
and more. To date, the association has documentedmorethan 4,000 different types
of minerals.
Many Different Methods Are Associated with
MineralogySeveraldifferent methods are required to correctly and successfully
reference mineralsusing thescientific process. These methods are used to define
thechemical makeup, the overall physicaldescription, the atomicarrangement, the
index of refraction, its role in biology and more. Physical mineralogy isthe
simplest method used to identify minerals; however, it is also used to
classifyminerals and categorize them. The physical attributes that are taken
intoconsideration include color, hardness, cleavage, crystal structure, specific
gravity,luster, twinning, streak and crystal habit. Optical Mineralogy Rolling Bearing
Suppliers useslight sources to not only identify, but classify a mineral.
This method hasdetermined that minerals not belonging to the cubic system will
be double refracting,while those that are will be single refracting. Minerals
that are triplerefracting are typically orthorhombic, triclinic and monoclinic.
Chemical mineralogy identifiesminerals by closely examining their chemical
composition. Their chemical makeupalso allows them to be properly classified and
categorized. However, due tovery few minerals earning the classification of
whole element, most fall intoisomorphous groups. Descriptive mineralogy isused
to further study minerals and classify them by their properties and uses.Some of
the classifications for this method include: organic minerals;sulfides;
sulfates; chromates, tungstates and molybdates; halides; native
elements;silicates; carbonates, borates and nitrates; and phosphates, vanadates
and arsenates. Biomineralogy blends mineralogy andbiology with paleontology to
determine how minerals may be stabilized byanimals and plants in their
respective locations.
This method utilizes several chemical mineralogy techniques
to determine these things, which is why it is termed across-over field.
Formation environments arealso a method used to identify, successfully classify
and categorize a mineral.Because mineral growth varies greatly, there are
several formation methods possible,including: crystallization occurring by
sediment diagenesis, crystallization occurringdue to igneous magma, sublimation
occurring via volcanic gases, formationsoccurring due to oxidation,
recrystallization occurring by metamorphic processesor metasomatism, and finally
depositions that occur due to hydrothermal brinesand aqueous solutions. Crystal
structure isused as well. This method uses x-rays to verify a minerals atomic
arrangementin order to identify and subsequently classify them. Tofind out more
about superalloys and general mining topics, please visit PublicMining.org,a
free resource directory showcasing public mining companies like Cougar Minerals,
Cosigo Resources and thousands more.
|