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Mineral symbols (text abbreviations) are used to abbreviate mineral groups, subgroups, and species, just as lettered symbols are used for the chemical elements. The first set of commonly used mineral symbols was published in 1983 and covered the common rock-forming minerals using 192 two- or three-lettered symbols. [ 1 ]
Minerals are distinguished by various chemical and physical properties. Differences in chemical composition and crystal structure distinguish the various species. Within a mineral species there may be variation in physical properties or minor amounts of impurities that are recognized by mineralogists or wider society as a mineral variety.
Amethyst crystals – a purple quartz Apophyllite crystals sitting right beside a cluster of peachy bowtie stilbite Aquamarine variety of beryl with tourmaline on orthoclase Arsenopyrite from Hidalgo del Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico Aurichalcite needles spraying out within a protected pocket lined by bladed calcite crystals Austinite from the Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Durango, Mexico Ametrine ...
Printable version; In other projects Wikimedia Commons; ... Some minerals made into gemstones may display a chatoyancy or cat's eye effect, these include: [1]
Dana's classification [1] [2] is a mineral classification developed by James Dwight Dana. It is based on the chemical composition and structure of minerals. It is mainly used in English-speaking countries, especially in the United States. The mineral classification used by the International Mineralogical Association is the Nickel-Strunz ...
When using the chart, it is important to remember these tips: Isotropic and opaque (metallic) minerals cannot be identified this way. The stage of the microscope should be rotated until maximum colour is found, and therefore, the maximum birefringence. Each mineral, depending on the orientation, may not exhibit the maximum birefringence.
This list includes those recognised minerals beginning with the letters Y and Z.The International Mineralogical Association is the international group that recognises new minerals and new mineral names; however, minerals discovered before 1959 did not go through the official naming procedure, although some minerals published previously have been either confirmed or discredited since that date.