User:Chris.urs-o/Sandbox.014

This is how-to guide to identify Nickel-Strunz mineral class, division, family and group. Each mineral group member and each mineral end member of a solid solution series is more difficult to identify (same Nickel-Strunz code), it'd need probably analysis in a laboratory.

Introduction


The identification of a mineral, needs a pure single mineral sample. Rocks are a mix of minerals. These lists use the IMA/CNMNC valid names only. In crystallography, the Hermann–Mauguin notation is used to represent the symmetry elements in point groups, plane groups and space groups. In the three-dimensional space, there are 32 crystallographic point groups (in seven crystal systems). The cleavage, in mineralogy, tends to be along definite crystallographic structural planes.


 * Abbreviations/schemes:
 * "*" - discredited (IMA/CNMNC status).
 * "?" - questionable/doubtful (IMA/CNMNC status).
 * G - mineral group name.
 * I - chemical analysis incomplete. Published without approval and discredited or not approved, yet.
 * "REE" - Rare-earth element (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)
 * "PGE" - Platinum-group element (Ru, Rh, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt)
 * "#" - Number of localities on Mindat.org (format: N.NEX = N.N × 10X)
 * Nickel-Strunz code scheme: NN.XY.##x
 * NN: Nickel-Strunz mineral class number
 * X: Nickel-Strunz mineral division/subclass letter
 * Y: Nickel-Strunz mineral family letter
 * ## x: Nickel-Strunz mineral/group number, x add-on letter
 * Color (color solid): 0/ white (wht), translucent (tlc); 01/ grey, metallic (gry); 02/ yellow (yll); 03/ yellowish green (y-g); 04/ green (grn); 05/ bluish green (b-g); 06/ cyan (cyan); 07/ cyan-blue (c-b); 08/ blue (blue); 09/ violet (vlt); 10/ magenta (mgt); 11/ magenta-red (m-r); 12/ red (red); 13/ orange (org); 14/ brown, black grey (brw); 15/ black (blk); etc.
 * Crystal notation: 0/ amorphous; 1/ triclinic (Tri, point group 1 or $\overline{1}$); 2/ monoclinic (Mono, point group 2, m or 2/m); 22/ orthorhombic (Ortho, point group 222, mm2 or mmm); 4/ tetragonal (Tetra, point group 4...); 63/ hexagonal/trigonal (Trig, point group 3...); 66/ hexagonal/hexagonal (Hex, point group 6...); 3/ cubic or isometric (Iso, point group 23, m$\overline{3}$, 432, $\overline{4}$3m or m$\overline{3}$m).

Mohs scale
Mohs scale of mineral hardness.

Note: weathered minerals might be softer, depending on the crystal orientation there might be a different hardness (kyanite, 4 or 7; muscovite, 2½ or 4) and the hardness is determined on a plane crystal face or on its edge, no fracture is involved. For instance, care must be taken with the pressure applied, quartz on the sample, and if the sample hasn't a scratch, the streak might come from the standard.

Identification of minerals
It should be a pure unweathered mineral, it shouldn't be a mix of minerals. The identification is based on a sequence of questions:
 * Is the sample very hard?
 * A.- Very hard minerals (Mohs 7 to 10)
 * Is it metallic, is its lustre metallic on a polished surface?
 * B.- Metallic lustre: native metals, metalloids, nonmetals and alloys
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 01: Native element minerals
 * Help table: metallic lustre but not a Nickel-Strunz Class 01 mineral
 * Is the sample's streak colored?
 * Mohs less than 4½?
 * Ca.- Identification of minerals (non white streak, Mohs lower than 4½)
 * Mohs higher than 4?
 * Cb.- Identification of minerals (non white streak, Mohs higher than 4)
 * Is the sample's streak white?
 * Mohs less than 4½?
 * Da.- Identification of minerals (white streak, Mohs lower than 4½)
 * Mohs higher than 4?
 * Db.- Identification of minerals (white streak, Mohs higher than 4)

B.- Metallic lustre: native metals, metalloids, nonmetals and alloys

 * Note: metals and their alloys have a metallic lustre on their polished surfaces, but their weathered surfaces are tarnished many times.

Help table: metallic lustre but not a Nickel-Strunz Class 01 mineral
Minerals on this list might have a metallic or sub-metallic lustre but they aren't classified as Nickel-Strunz Class 01 - Elements (Mineral Identification Key II by Alan Plante, Donald Peck & David Von Bargen)

Difficult identifications
These are examples of minerals difficult to identify from other group members, some are very rare but rarities are present in collections (Mineral Identification Key II by Alan Plante, Donald Peck & David Von Bargen):
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 02
 * Pyrite group: Pyrite 02.EB.05a FeS2 (Cubic) loc: 2.8×104, Marcasite 02.EB.10a FeS2 (Orthorhombic) loc: 3.6×103, Cattierite 02.EB.05a CoS2 loc: 19, Vaesite 02.EB.05a NiS2 loc: 77
 * 02.EB.25: Cobaltite (Co,Ni)AsS loc: 6.5×102; Gersdorffite (Ni,Co)AsS loc: 5.3×102
 * 02.EC.05: Skutterudite (Co,Ni)As(2-3) loc: 4.2×102; Nickel-Skutterudite  (Ni,Co)As(2-3) loc: 1.7×102
 * 02.GA.05: Proustite Ag3(Sb,As)S3 loc: 6.4×102; Pyrargyrite Ag3(As,Sb)S3 loc: 1.2×103
 * 02.GB.05: Tetrahedrite (Cu,Fe)12Sb4S13 loc: 4.3×103; Tennantite (Cu,Fe)12As4S13 loc: 1.3×103
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 04
 * Wolframite series, 04.DB.30: Ferberite (Fe,Mn)WO4 loc: 4.3×102; Huebnerite (Mn,Fe)WO4 loc: 4.2×102
 * Spinel group, 04.BB.05: Chromite FeCr2O4 loc: 2.8×103; Magnesiochromite  MgCr2O4 loc: 2.4×102; Manganochromite (Mn,Fe)(Cr,V)2O4 loc: 3; Vuorelainenite (Mn,Fe)(V,Cr)2O4 loc: 7
 * Rutile group: Rutile 04.DB.05 TiO2 (Tetragonal) loc: 3.8×103; Anatase 04.DD.05 TiO2 (Tetragonal) loc: 1.5×103; Brookite 04.DD.10 TiO2 (Orthorhombic) loc: 5.1×102; Akaogiite 04.D?.?? TiO2 (Monoclinic) loc: 3
 * Columbite-Tantalite series 04.DB.35: Columbite-(Fe) FeNb2O6 loc: 3.6×102; Columbite-(Mn) (Mn,Fe)(Nb,Ta)2O6 loc: 1.8×102; Tantalite-(Mn) MnTa2O6 loc: 1.5×102; Tantalite-(Fe) FeTa2O6 loc: 63
 * Columbite-Tantalite series 04.DE.30: Stibiocolumbite Sb(Nb,Ta)O4 loc: 10; Stibiotantalite Sb(Ta,Nb)O4 loc: 50
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 08
 * Triphylite-Lithiophilite series 08.AB.10: Triphylite LiFePO4 loc: 2.5×102; Lithiophilite LiMnPO4 loc: 1.1×102
 * Autunite/Meta-autunite: Autunite 08.EB.05 Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2•(10-12)H2O loc: 1.1×103; Meta-autunite 08.EB.10 Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2•(2-6)H2O loc: 3.3×102
 * Torbernite/Metatorbernite: Torbernite 08.EB.05 Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2•11H2O loc: 8.8×102; Metatorbernite 08.EB.10 Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2•8H2O loc: 3.8×102
 * Apatite group 08.BN.05: Vanadinite Pb5(VO4)3Cl loc: 5.6×102; Pyromorphite Pb5(PO4)3Cl loc: 1.4×103; Mimetite Pb5(AsO4)3Cl loc: 8.9×102
 * Apatite group 08.BN.05: Fluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F loc: 2.0×103, Hydroxylapatite Ca5(PO4)3OH loc: 2.5×102, Chlorapatite Ca5(PO4)3Cl loc: 89
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 09
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 09 Subclass D
 * Pyroxene group. Clinopyroxene subgroup
 * 9.DA.05: Enstatite MgSiO3 (Orthorhombic) loc: 5.7×102; Clinoenstatite MgSiO3 (Monoclinic) loc: 39
 * Amphibole group. Sodic Clino-Amphibole subgroup.
 * Ferroglaucophane-Glaucophane series 09.DE.25: Glaucophane Na2(Mg3Al2)Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 2.2×102; Ferroglaucophane Na2(Fe3Al2)Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 23
 * Magnesioriebeckite-Riebeckite series 09.DE.25: Riebeckite Na2(Fe3Fe2)Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 3.0×102; Magnesioriebeckite Na2(Mg3Fe2)Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 69
 * Amphibole group. Calcic Clino-Amphibole subgroup.
 * Actinolite-Tremolite series 09.DE.10: Tremolite Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 1.6×103; Actinolite Ca2(Fe,Mg)5Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 2.4×103
 * Ferrohornblende-Magnesiohornblende series 09.DE.10: Ferrohornblende Ca2[Fe4(Al,Fe)]Si7AlO22(OH)2 loc: 2.4×102; Magnesiohornblende Ca2[Mg4(Al,Fe)]Si7AlO22(OH)2 loc: 1.6×102
 * Amphibole group. Mg-Fe-Mn-Li Ortho-Amphibole subgroup.
 * 09.DD.05: Gedrite Mg5Al2[Si6Al2O22](OH)2 loc: 1.2×102; Ferrogedrite Fe5Al2[Si6Al2O22](OH)2 loc: 9
 * 09.DE.05: Cummingtonite Mg7Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 2.5×102; Grunerite Fe7Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 1.6×102
 * Anthophyllite/Ferro-anthophyllite series: Anthophyllite 09.DE.05 Mg7Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 4.9×102; Ferro-anthophyllite 09.DD.05 Fe7Si8O22(OH)2 loc: 4
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 09 Subclass E
 * 09.EA.15: Apophyllite-(KF) KCa4(Si8O20)F•8H2O loc: 2.9×102, Apophyllite-(KOH) KCa4(Si8O20)OH•8H2O loc: 59, Apophyllite-(NaF) NaCa4(Si8O20)F·8H2O loc: 8
 * Chlorite group 09.EC.55: Clinochlore (Mg,Fe)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8 loc: 1.3×103; Chamosite (Fe,Mg)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8 loc: 4.1×102
 * Serpentine group 09.ED.15: Antigorite (Fe,Mg)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 loc: 4.6×102; Lizardite Mg3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 loc: 2.2×102; Amesite Mg2Al(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4 loc: 51


 * Nickel-Strunz Class 09 Subclass F
 * Scapolite series. Marialite-Meionite series 09.FB.15: Marialite Na4Al3Si9O24Cl loc: 90; Meionite Ca4Al6Si6O24CO3 loc: 1.3×102
 * Nickel-Strunz Class 09 Subclass G
 * Zeolite group 09.GE.20: Brewsterite-Sr (Sr,Ba)2[Al4Si12O32]•10H2O loc: 9; Brewsterite-Ba (Ba,Sr)2[Al4Si12O32]•10H2O loc: 9
 * Abbreviation, loc: number of locations on Mindat.org

Extras

 * Rare and extremely rare minerals


 * Rare and extremely rare minerals with the number of localities listed on Mindat.org


 * Poldervaartite (Olmiite is the Mn-dominant analogue of poldervaartite)
 * Localities: N'Chwaning II and Wessels mine, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa
 * Epidote-(Pb) 4, Epidote-(Sr) 4, Calcio-Olivine 5, Stibiocolumbite 10, Eastonite 4, Brindleyite 2, Kellyite 6, Manandonite 4, Odinite 2, Orthochamosite 5
 * Yingjiangite 6, Yoderite 2, Yoshiokaite 1, Yuksporite 8, Zálesíite 60/2, Zvyagintsevite 16/2, Natrozippeite 30, Zincowoodwardite 7/1, Zemannite 3/3, Zektzerite 4/9,
 * 04.DH.15 Cesstibtantite 6, Hydropyrochlore 1, Plumbopyrochlore 21, Stibiomicrolite 9, Fluornatromicrolite 7, Hydrokenoelsmoreite 43, Stibiotantalite 50, Tantalite-(Fe) 63, Antillite 1, Aphrosiderite 9, Arhbarite 3/3, Argentojarosite 52/2, Arcanite 15/1, Arandisite 2/1, Arrojadite-(KFe) 39/1, Arthurite 29/1, Asbecasite 8/1, Auricupride 11/1, Aurorite 16/2, Aurostibite 43/1, Avogadrite 4/1, Astrocyanite-(Ce) 1/5


 * Empty commons: Vaesite, Pyrophanite, Cattierite, Calaverite
 * Similar minerals: Stilbite-Ca 1.7E2, Stilbite-Na 1.3E1, Columbite-(Mn) 179,

Common minerals

 * Common minerals with the number of localities listed on Mindat.org
 * Cerussite 3.8E3, Augite 1.4E3, Wulfenite 1.4E3, Kyanite 1.1E3, Muscovite 1.0E3
 * Staurolite 7.3E2, Anorthite 6.8E2, Forsterite 6.4E2, Ferrohornblende 2.4E2, Thenardite 2.0E2, Sylvite 1.9E2, Magnesiohornblende 1.6E2, Phlogopite 1.4E2,
 * Siderophyllite 6.7E1, Thermonatrite 4.6E1, Natrite 1.6E1, Stishovite 1.4E1, Asbolane 115/3,
 * Amesite 50, Antigorite 464, Berthierine 38, Caryopilite 49, Chrysotile 811, Clinochrysotile 67, Cronstedtite 38, Dickite 449, Fraipontite 35, Greenalite 45, Halloysite 464, Lizardite 220, Nacrite 92, Népouite 47, Pecoraite 32
 * Baileychlore 11, Chamosite 405, Clinochlore 1302, Donbassite 11, Pennantite 23, Sudoite 33, Nimite 12
 * Economically interesting bauxite consists mostly of the minerals gibbsite Al(OH)3 3.4E2, boehmite γ-AlO(OH) 1.3E2, and diaspore α-AlO(OH) 3.3E2, in a mixture with the two iron oxides goethite and hematite, frequently quartz, and small amounts of anatase TiO2.
 * Potash (Potassium chloride Sylvite); Sodium carbonate (Natron anhydrous, monohydrate, decahydrate, Trona), Sodium sulfate (Thenardite, Mirabilite (decahydrate))
 * Non crystalline: Mercury, Asphaltum, Perlite (expanded volcanic glass)
 * Mineraloids: Coal, Peat (Lignite), Jet (lignite), Pumice (Tuff), Vermiculite, Limonite, Bauxite, Obsidian, Anthracite, Serpentine (Kaolinite-Serpentine Group), Plagioclase (Albite-Anorthite Series), Diatomite (Opal), Chlorite (group), Biotite (Biotite-Phlogopite Series), Garnet (group), Hornblende, Columbite-tantalite group
 * Olivine: Peridot, Peridotite (Olivine and Pyroxene), Dunite


 * Mindat.org
 * There are 4,499 names recognised as valid mineral names, group, series and opal in the database (Feb.2011).
 * Handbook of Mineralogy - Mineralogy Society of America
 * There are 3,769 names recognised as valid mineral and opal in the database (Feb.2011).