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This is debated, and can be answered a few ways.
I think it's safe to say that no more than 300 of the over 4,000 known minerals can really be considered common. The average collector will get to know them, as they are all available in decently sized crystals. See Mineralogy by Sinkankas.
To a geologist, though, well, he wouldn't be interested in more than 100, if that.
From the serious collectors point of view, if you have the money and the motivation, it's no big deal to obtain over 1,000 different mineral species. 2,000 is a challenge, and over 3,000 is what separates the men from the boys, where you're paying $300 + for polished sections with tiny specks that can only be confirmed by SEM.
The average collector, though, if the shows and magazines are anything to go by, is more than satisfied by the top ten or 20 minerals that come in big, colorful crystals, like quartz, calcite, tourmaline, beryl, etc.
Probably a longer answer that you're looking for. The answer in the Geology 101 textbook, would, I suspect, be 100. Hopefully somebody will correct me if I'm wrong.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoAccording to the International Mineralogical Association, there are about 5 000 distinct recognized minerals. In addition to 'proper' minerals, (those that conform to a tight description), there are many other solids, such as coal, limestones etc. Additionally, there are the many man-made solid substances, which do not qualify due to their origin.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoThere are too many to list here. Check the related link below.
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Why does the solid surface of the Earth had not yet disappeared below the surface of the ocean after many erosion and weathering which occur since the origin of the Earth?
Because of the nature of the earth And because it is stronger than the erosion and weathering by far
How many lands do you have in the world?
.. do you need to know all the continents ? do you need to know all the earth's plates ? all the oceans ? EXPLAIN
How many days are left in destroying of earth?
2 years, Watch the movie 2012 and you will know!
Why do not any of you know the answer for what time eartquakes occur?
About 300 or so measurable earthquakes occur around the world each day. So far, it is not possible to predict the time when an earthquake will occur. The best scientists can do is predict the frequency (once in how many years) an earthquake of a specific intensity will occur on a given fault line.
What are the three letters that many minerals end with?
Ice, Ore and Tin are examples of three lettered minerals.
In which form do many minerals occur naturally on the Earth?
Rocks
How many minerals are on Earth?
There are nearly 2,500 recognized minerals on Earth.
In which form do many minerals occur naturally on the earths surface?
Many minerals occur naturally on the earths surface in rock form
How many rocks and minerals are left?
I am answering my own question but there are 3000 minerals known to Earth.... if thats just how many rocks that are known to Earth than think about how many minerals that are not known to Earth.
How many minerals are there in the Earth's crust?
9
How many minerals are found in the earth?
2,500
How many minerals make up most of the earth's rocks?
20 different kinds of minerals make up 95% of earth's rocks.
How many earth quakes occur a year?
About 50 earth quakes occur in each day so we can say that 18250 to 20000 earth quick occur a year.
What are some of the recognized earth minerals?
There are many minerals in the earth and some of the common ones are quartz, gold, muscovite, pyrite, alibite, chalcopyrite, and aluminum
What term refers to the regular geometric shapes that occur in many minerals?
crystal habbit
How many different kinds of atom occur naturally on earth?
94 kinds of atoms occur naturally on earth
How many different kinds of atoms occur naturally on earth and why?
i think 94 kinds of atoms occur to earth
