MINERAL:  a naturally occurring inorganic solid having a definite internal structure and a definite chemical composition that varies only within strict limits.  Chemical composition and internal structure determine its physical properties, including the tendency to assume a particular geometric form (crystal form).

“We live in a world of minerals - they are everywhere around us.  Gems and jewelry are minerals.  Gravel and sand are minerals.  Mud is a mixture of microscopic minerals.  Ice is a mineral, and even dust in the air we breathe is made up of tiny mineral grains.  Minerals sustain our lives and provide continuously for society.  The houses in which we live, automobiles, roads and other structures of our society, and almost everything we touch are made of minerals or material derived from minerals.  Indeed, on average, every person on Earth uses, directly or indirectly, 10 metric tons of minerals each year.”

Earth’s Dynamic Systems, Ninth Edition

W. Kenneth Hamblin and Eric H. Christiansen

 

ROCK:  an aggregate of minerals.

ROCK TYPES:

           

·        Igneous rocks form from molten rock material consisting of liquid, gas and crystals.  The best-known examples of igneous activity are magmas from volcanic eruptions.  Less obvious are enormous volumes of liquid rock that cools before reaching the surface.  Granite is the most common variety of this type of igneous rock.

·        Sedimentary rocks form from fragments derived from other rocks, by precipitation from water or organic materials formed by biochemical processes.  They typically occur in layers, or strata.      Approximately 85% to 90% of mineral products used by our society come from sedimentary rocks.

·        Metamorphic rocks are formed from preexisting rocks when the alteration of minerals and textures are changed by temperature and pressure, often a result of the constant motion of tectonic plates.   Metamorphic rocks can be formed from igneous, sedimentary, or even previously metamorphosed rocks. 

 

The Mineral Education Foundation provides excellent lectures and hands-on workshops, as well as a unique mineral kit to all teachers who attend a Mineral Education Conference. 

Click here for more information on the Conferences.

Visit the following sites for extensive information on rocks, minerals and gems:

• Complete guide to Earth Sciences including Basics of Geology, Geology Maps, Minerals,
      K-12 Teacher Aids, Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Glaciers and much more.

(www.geology.about.com)

 

• Mineralogy 4 Kids includes Minerals in Your House, Mineral Groups, Mineral Properties,
     Mineral Games and All About Crystals.

(www.minsocam.org/MSA/K12/K_12.html)

 

• Ask-A-Mineralogist, a discussion board moderated by the Mineralogical Society of
    America, open to the general public.

(www.minsocam.org/v-board/data/control.ssi)

 

• US Geological Survey Minerals Information offers information and statistics by commodity,
     international country, and US state.  Includes news and features.

(minerals.usgs.gov/minerals)

 

• Mineralogy Database includes Minerals from A-Z, with selected mineral definitions, mineral
    species by chemical elements, mineral pictures, name origins, name pronunciations and
    synonyms.

(www.webmineral.com)

 

• Mineralogy Database includes Minerals from A-Z with chemical elements, locations,
    photos, common uses.

(www.minerals.net)