Mineral 1.0Test your knowledge of specific minerals

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Minerals by class: Silicates | Halides | Carbonates | Sulfates | Oxides | Phosphates | Hydroxides | Native elements | Sulfides
Silicate Subclasses: Nesosilicates | Pyroxenes | Amphiboles | Frameworks | Sorosilicates | Cyclosilicates | Phyllosilicates
  

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  SilicateTalc
Mg3Si4O10(OH)2

Most distinguishing features:
Mineral is very soft and are often compact masses. Colour is typical and varies to brown, green or gray.

  SilicateTopaz
Al2SiO4(F,OH)2

Most distinguishing features:
Resembles quartz, but harder.

Industrial/economical uses:
Gemstone

  SilicateTourmaline
Na(Mg,Fe,Li,Mn,Al)3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH,F)4

Most distinguishing features:
Columnar crystals and vertical striations are characteristic, also has poor cleavage.

Industrial/economical uses:
Gemstone. Due to piezoelectric properties, it is also used in the manufacture of pressure gauges and other electronic components.

  SilicateTremolite
Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2

Other names/forms:
Actinolite

Most distinguishing features:
Noticable habit of white acicular grains.

Industrial/economical uses:
Sometimes used as an asbestos mineral, and thus linked as a health hazard.