Common Examples of Minerals
Our earth contains many different examples of minerals that most people could not even come close to naming them all. Some of the best examples of minerals may actually be known to most, but not thought of as an actual mineral.
Those not very knowledgeable in the field of geology, or just simply the concept of rocks and minerals, will often call minerals rocks or stones.
For more information on rocks and minerals visit this great article “The Differences Between Rocks and Minerals”. It has some great information on rocks and minerals and help anyone in understanding the differences between the two.
Some of the best mineral examples are; Amethyst, Azurite, Bornite, Citrine, Emerald, Fluorite, Gypsum, Hematite, Malachite, Opal, Pyrite, and Topaz. These examples of minerals are commonly some of the most eye appealing.
I will go over these minerals briefly with some good pictures.
Amethyst
Amethyst is a type of quartz which is composed of silicon dioxide and is viewed in a transparent to sub translucent form. This very common mineral example is one of the most popular minerals around the world.
Amethyst has a color of various different purples that range from very light to very dark. Many years ago amethyst used to be rarer and considered a stone only the wealthy were meant to adorn. With the finding of it in abundance in Brazil, the value of the mineral became very affordable to everyone. For more information on Amethyst read this article “All About Amethyst”
Azurite
Azurite is a blue mineral example in varying degrees of light or dark blue. This mineral is a secondary copper carbonate mineral that forms around deposits of copper. Over time, azurite can alter into malachite given too much open air.
Azurite does not have many uses other than for rock collectors. Many desire to obtain this particular mineral due to its very blue color which can be rare for minerals. As far as value goes, azurite can be obtained for a fairly low price, however the nicer blue specimens will range up in price. For more information on Azurite read this article “All About Azurite”
Bornite
Bornite is a sulfide mineral that can be found in all types of rocks. This example mineral is often called “peacock ore” by many due to its array of similar colors you might see on peacock feathers. This mineral is very high in copper content and is considered an ore of copper.
The color of this mineral will have purples, blues, reds, and even black. However these colors are dependent on exposure to the air for a time. Without exposure to the air, the mineral will be brown to reddish brown. Bornite is not very rare and can be purchased for fairly cheap. Be warned though, many will chemically treat chalcopyrite to create the colors of bornite and sell it as bornite. For more information on Bornite read this article “All About Bornite”
Citrine
Citrine is a type of quartz which consists of silicon and oxygen along with varying degrees of iron impurities, much like amethyst. This example of a mineral is not very common in nature and most citrine available on the market is heat treated from amethysts and smoky quartz.
Many will confuse citrine with topaz, yellow sapphire, golden beryl, and some garnets due to them being very similar in color. Many would describe the color of citrine as the color of honey.
Citrine will often be used in jewelry and one does have to be careful that they are not buying citrine when they are shopping for more expensive mineral stones such as yellow sapphire. For more information on Citrine read this article “All About Citrine”
Emerald
Emerald is a precious gemstone that is part of the beryl group. Emeralds can be found in all types of rocks and has been a very popular and desirable mineral for many years. This mineral example is considered one of the “big three” when it comes to precious gemstones.
Emeralds are obviously green. They do come in various different shades of green. The deeper the green and the more pure the mineral is, the better and more expensive it will be. Emeralds are not too uncommon, but with great color and high purity (flawlessness), they are very rare. For more information on Emerald read this article “All About Emerald”
Fluorite
Fluorite is a example mineral consisting of calcium fluoride. It is a very common mineral, with millions of tons of the stuff mined every year. Fluorite will come in colors of greens, yellows, purples, reds, and blues.
This mineral is used in our everyday lives to a great degree. You will find it in toothpaste and mouthwashes, and will even be put into your water in some countries to keep water clean and also to help prevent tooth decay of the population. Very high quality specimens of fluorite can be cut into gemstones.
Many of the gemstones may not actually be attached to any jewelry though, and will only be kept as a specimen. For more information on Fluorite read this article “All About Fluorite”
Gypsum
Gypsum is an example mineral containing calcium sulfate dihydrate. This mineral is found all over the world and is used in many product we have today. Agriculturally, gypsum will be used as fertilizer to help improve soil. It can be found in plasters, paints, and drywall. It will also exist in drugs, hygiene products, and even chalk.
This mineral will come in a few different forms such as selenite and desert rose. Gypsum is commonly the color of white, gray, or colorless. There are some cases where it can take on colors of yellow, blue, pink, tan, and reddish brown due to other elements in the mix when it was created. For more information on Gypsum read this article “All About Gypsum”
Hematite
Hematite is a common iron oxide mineral found in rocks and soils everywhere. This example of a mineral is seen as two different varieties called metallic hematite and earthy hematite. Some think that hematite is magnetic, however it is not. The confusion comes from magnetite often being mixed in with hematite.
Hematite has been found on Mars and is literately all over the surface everywhere. The value of hematite may be small due to its abundance and content of iron, the mineral is invaluable to our society. For more information on Hematite read this article “All About Hematite”
Malachite
Malachite is a copper carbonate hydroxide that is formed when the mineral copper is altered by other present chemicals in surrounding rock deep in the earth. This mineral example is high in copper and when the mineral is found at a location, it is a good sign of the presence of the element copper.
Malachite is highly identified by its intricate patterns of green present in the mineral. When polished, malachite will express some of the most beautiful patterns of green that one cannot resist buying a specimen. Malachite is often used in jewelry and carved out as sculptures and specimens. Since malachite is in high abundance, getting it will not be very expensive for most. For more information on Malachite read this article “All About Malachite”
Opal
Opal is one of the wonders in the mineral world due to its unique formation. Silica is deposited into cracks of rocks to solidify over time. When this example mineral is exposed to light, the light will reflect off various surfaces within the silica filtering out colors in the light spectrum. This can leave only one color showing through such as red, blue, yellow, or green.
Opal is merely reflected light within the mineral! Opal has many colors but the precious, and rarer opal will have colors of red, blue, green, orange, and yellow. The rarest of the opal colors is black. Opal is primarily used in jewelry. Expect to pay some higher prices for this mineral if you want some of the more rare colors. For more information on Opal read this article “All About Opal”
Pyrite
Pyrite, or often referred to as “fool’s gold” due to similar color of gold, is a mineral example comprised of iron sulfide. Though pyrite is not gold, it can have gold within it. One of the most collectable forms of pyrite is when it forms into large crystals.
Due to its chemical makeup, these crystals can often form into rigid bonds that form cubes. Pyrite can be dangerous to humans and the environment. This is due to the iron oxides and sulfate that can decompose into the surrounding environment. When decomposition happens with water, sulfuric acid will be formed causing harm to surrounding life.
Pyrite is often a favorite of rock collectors, and can be safe for display. As you may note, the sulfur in the mineral is quite useful and can be included in fertilizer, oil refining, acid batteries, and cleaners. For more information on Pyrite read this article “All About Pyrite”
Topaz
Topaz is found as a crystal with fairly uniform and natural edges. Crystals that are used for jewelry will have few flaws internal to the crystal. This example mineral is one of the hardest minerals we know of coming in at around an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness (diamond being a 10).
Its color will be commonly set as a yellowish brown (champagne) color, but can also be in more rare colors such as pink, blue, orange, and red. Topaz is used in jewelry for the most part and can often be set into earrings, rings, necklaces, and pretty much any other jewelry you can think of.
This mineral can be somewhat common, but due to its properties it makes a great gemstone and can fetch a moderate price at times. For more information on Topaz read this article “All About Topaz”
