Minerals are often found in rock deposits such as Igneous, Metamorphic, Sedimentary or Meteorite Rocks. Very often such rock deposits can contain many different types of minerals. It is common that the presence of different minerals in a rock can cause many interesting effects and combinations to the minerals properties. In the formation of Rocks the many changes that occur such as the presence of heat would also cause unique alterations to the rock and it's resident minerals. Many rocks and stones are Organic, which means it is formed from living organisms. Organic stones include Pearls, Amber and Coral which are popular as jewellery. Some Rocks consist of fossils from previous living organisms, many carbon based rocks such as Peat and Jet occur from wood.
Each mineral has a unique story. They are formed in many different ways and yet many are very similar. The composition and properties of each mineral will alter from one to another as well as from one colour of a mineral to another. Every subtle detail can tell a tale.
The old Dana classification system of metals, minerals and oxides: ( not to be confused with mohs scale of hardness, the numbers on the right are classifications of minerals, the updated modern Dana Classification counts over 78 different classifications)
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1
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Native elements: such as metals, semi-metals and non metals (1)
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2
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Sulphides and Sulphosalts: Sulphur and metals ores (2 - 3)
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3
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Oxides and Hydroxides: Metal and Oxygen ie: corundum (4 - 8)
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4
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Halides: Metal and Halogen elements: ie: flourite (9 - 12)
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5
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Carbonates, Nitrates and Borates: Carbon and oxygen group (13 - 27)
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6
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Sulphates, Chromates and Molybates: Sulphur and oxygen group (28 - 36)
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7
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Phosphates, Arsenates and Vandates: metal and phosphates (37 - 49)
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8
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Organic: minerals formed from living organisims: ie amber and pearls (50)
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9
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Silicates: Silicon and Oxygen group almost a third of all minerals (51 - 78)
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