Nickel–Strunz classification

Nickel–Strunz classification is a scheme for categorizing minerals based upon their chemical composition, introduced by German mineralogist Karl Hugo Strunz (24 February 1910 – 19 April 2006) in his Mineralogische Tabellen (1941). The 4th and the 5th edition was also edited by Christel Tennyson (1966). It was followed by A.S. Povarennykh with a modified classification (1966 in Russian, 1972 in English).

As curator of the Mineralogical Museum of Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität (now known as the Humboldt University of Berlin), Strunz had been tasked with sorting the museum's geological collection according to crystal-chemical properties. His book Mineralogical Tables, has been through a number of modifications; the most recent edition, published in 2001, is the ninth (Mineralogical Tables by Hugo Strunz and Ernest H. Nickel (31 August 1925 – 18 July 2009)). James A. Ferraiolo was responsible for it at Mindat.org. The IMA/CNMNC supports the Nickel–Strunz database.

Nickel–Strunz code scheme
The Nickel–Strunz code scheme is NN.XY.##x, where:
 * NN: Nickel–Strunz mineral class number
 * X: Nickel–Strunz mineral division letter
 * Y: Nickel–Strunz mineral family letter
 *  ## x: Nickel–Strunz mineral/group number; x an add-on letter

Nickel–Strunz mineral classes
The current scheme divides minerals into ten classes, which are further divided into divisions, families and groups according to chemical composition and crystal structure.


 * 1) elements
 * 2) sulfides and sulfosalts
 * 3) halides
 * 4) oxides, hydroxides and arsenites
 * 5) carbonates and nitrates
 * 6) borates
 * 7) sulfates, chromates, molybdates and tungstates
 * 8) phosphates, arsenates and vanadates
 * 9) silicates
 * 10) organic compounds

IMA/CNMNC mineral classes
IMA/CNMNC proposes a new hierarchical scheme, using the Nickel–Strunz classes (10 ed) this gives:


 * Classification of minerals (non silicates)
 * Nickel–Strunz class 01: Native Elements
 * Class: native elements
 * Nickel–Strunz class 02: Sulfides and Sulfosalts
 * Class 02.A – 02.G: sulfides, selenides, tellurides (including arsenides, antimonides, bismuthinides)
 * Class 02.H – 02.M: sulfosalts (including sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfobismuthites, etc.)
 * Nickel–Strunz class 03: Halogenides
 * Class: halides
 * Nickel–Strunz class 04: Oxides
 * Class: oxides
 * Class: hydroxides
 * Class: arsenites (including antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites and tellurites)
 * Nickel–Strunz class 05: Carbonates and Nitrates
 * Class: carbonates
 * Class: nitrates
 * Nickel–Strunz class 06: Borates
 * Class: borates
 * Subclass: nesoborates
 * Subclass: soroborates
 * Subclass: cycloborates
 * Subclass: inoborates
 * Subclass: phylloborates
 * Subclass: tectoborates
 * Nickel–Strunz class 07: Sulfates, Selenates, Tellurates
 * Class: sulfates, selenates, tellurates
 * Class: chromates
 * Class: molybdate, wolframates and niobates
 * Nickel–Strunz class 08: Phosphates, Arsenates, Vanadates
 * Class: phosphates
 * Class: arsenates and vanadates
 * Nickel–Strunz class 10: Organic Compounds
 * Class: organic compounds
 * Classification of minerals (silicates)
 * Nickel–Strunz class 09: Silicates and Germanates
 * Class: silicates
 * Subclass: nesosilicates
 * Subclass: sorosilicates
 * Subclass: cyclosilicates
 * Subclass: inosilicates
 * Subclass: phyllosilicates
 * Subclass: tectosilicates without zeolitic H2O
 * Subclass: tectosilicates with zeolitic H2O; zeolite family
 * Subclass: unclassified silicates
 * Subclass: germanates