There are over 5,000 known minerals, but only about 200 are common and significant. Below is a categorized list of major mineral groups and some well-known examples:
1. Silicate Minerals (Most abundant group, ~90% of Earth’s crust)
– Feldspars (e.g., Orthoclase, Plagioclase)
– Quartz (SiO₂)
– Micas (e.g., Muscovite, Biotite)
– Amphiboles (e.g., Hornblende)
– Pyroxenes (e.g., Augite)
– Olivine (Mg,Fe)₂SiO₄
– Clay minerals (e.g., Kaolinite, Montmorillonite)
– Garnet
– Talc
2. Carbonate Minerals
– Calcite (CaCO₃)
– Dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂)
– Aragonite
– Siderite (FeCO₃)
3. Oxide Minerals
– Hematite (Fe₂O₃)
– Magnetite (Fe₃O₄)
– Corundum (Al₂O₃ – includes Ruby & Sapphire)
– Rutile (TiO₂)
– Cassiterite (SnO₂)
4. Sulfide Minerals
– Pyrite (“Fool’s Gold,” FeS₂)
– Galena (PbS)
– Chalcopyrite (CuFeS₂)
– Sphalerite (ZnS)
5. Sulfate Minerals
– Gypsum (CaSO₄·2H₂O)
– Barite (BaSO₄)
– Anhydrite (CaSO₄)
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6. Halide Minerals
– Halite (“Rock Salt,” NaCl)
– Fluorite (CaF₂)
7. Native Elements