Minerals are classified by their geometry into six different mineral crystal systems. Each crystal system has its own set of parameters based on relationships between length and angles between a crystals axes.
symettery
I did a degree in geology, many years ago now, the complexities of this are enormous, and you could probably spend a lifetime investigating. If you are interested then it is worth exploring, some minerals look wonderful in thin section down a microscope where you can see some of the planes they will fracture on amongst many other things. But it seems i have forgotten more than i can remember right now!
Geologists identify minerals that are too small to be seen in a hand specimen using powerful microscopes. Minerals are classified according to their physical properties such as color, streak, cleavage, hardness and crystal form.
Crystallography is the study of mineral crystal systems and crystal formation, the structures which comprise minerals and combinations of which make up rock, which is of supreme interest to geologists.
You can test its hardness on other minerals to find it hardness. It can help classify it better.
Chemically the same, calcite and aragonite have different crystal latticeworks, thus their crystals have a different appearance and have different crystal classifications, making them both independently recognized minerals.
I did a degree in geology, many years ago now, the complexities of this are enormous, and you could probably spend a lifetime investigating. If you are interested then it is worth exploring, some minerals look wonderful in thin section down a microscope where you can see some of the planes they will fracture on amongst many other things. But it seems i have forgotten more than i can remember right now!
Geologists identify minerals that are too small to be seen in a hand specimen using powerful microscopes. Minerals are classified according to their physical properties such as color, streak, cleavage, hardness and crystal form.
Crystals are easy to classify because the minerals that they contain are easily identified. One example of this would be emeralds. Another example of a crystal is a diamond.
Crystallography is the study of mineral crystal systems and crystal formation, the structures which comprise minerals and combinations of which make up rock, which is of supreme interest to geologists.
They have different developing sites. Restricted, open, magma, and minerals from solution.
There are four ways to classify a mineral:They have a crystal structureThey are formed in natureThey have a definite chemical makeupThey are a solid
Minerals often take on specific geometric crystal shapes, such as a cube or other polygon. The reason is because minerals are formed with different combinations of atoms or molecules. Different arrangements of these atoms display different geometric crystal shapes.How these atoms and molecules are arranged depends on what kind of atoms or molecules make up the mineral. The same group of atoms or molecules can be arranged in different ways and can end up as different types of minerals. Examining this crystal structure is the most accurate way to identify different minerals since the crystal structure is specific to each mineral.The molecules of the minerals and their solidification into crystals under specific conditions of temperature, solute concentrates, etc.
You can test its hardness on other minerals to find it hardness. It can help classify it better.
They have different developing sites. Restricted, open, magma, and minerals from solution.
According to geologists, quartz is associated with other minerals and specimens which contain the same properties such as amethyst, citrine, rock crystal, rose quartz and smoky quartz.
Chemically the same, calcite and aragonite have different crystal latticeworks, thus their crystals have a different appearance and have different crystal classifications, making them both independently recognized minerals.
There are many factors to consider when identifying minerals. However, one factor cannot be used solely to determine the type of mineral. Geologists check for color, streak, hardness, cleavage, specific gravity, and crystal form and mineral habit.