Mineral 1.0: Sulfates

Mineral 1.0

Test your knowledge of specific minerals

M
E
N
U
« Home | Browse Minerals | QuizzesMinerals by letter: All | K | G | O | A | H | T | P | C | Q | N | Z | S | E | W | M | B | F | D | L
Minerals by class: Silicates | Halides | Carbonates | Sulfates | Oxides | Phosphates | Hydroxides | Native elements | Sulfides
Silicate Subclasses: Nesosilicates | Pyroxenes | Amphiboles | Frameworks | Sorosilicates | Cyclosilicates | Phyllosilicates



Click on a mineral for more details.

M
i
n
e
r
a
l
s

SulfateAlabaster

CaSO₄ - ₂H₂O
Other names/forms:
Gypsum

Most distinguishing features:
Identified by hardness and good cleavage.
Industrial/economical uses:
Modern use is in gypsum wallboard used in construction. Used as an ornamental stone and for sculpture due to its softness.

SulfateBarite

BaSO₄

Most distinguishing features:
High specific gravity is best indicator, colour and fracture are also helpful.
Industrial/economical uses:
Primary ore for barium, also used as an additive to drilling mud (because of high SG). Has over 2000 uses in industry.

SulfateSelenite

CaSO₄ - ₂H₂O
Other names/forms:
Gypsum

Most distinguishing features:
Single large crystals of gypsum, typified by hardness and transparency.
Industrial/economical uses:
Used in gypsum wallboard.