Nickel–Strunz classification

Under the classification of minerals is meant an ordered according to crystal structure and chemical composition of the minerals list.

In mineralogy two basic classifications are distinguished: The most common in German-speaking classification by Hugo Strunz and scheme, used in the English-speaking world, especially in the United States by James Dwight Dana. Superficially, the two nomenclatures see quite similar, since their first, rough classification, the so-called " mineral class," follows in both systems the chemical composition.

Depending on the edition of the system varies the number of mineral classes in this first division between eight and ten.

Upon further subdivisions to the old classification of minerals according to Strunz ( 8th edition ) and new classification of minerals according to Strunz ( 9th Edition ) (since 2001), however, continue to orient first on the chemical composition, while the classification of minerals according to the Dana crystal structure as a distinguishing feature prefers. Therefore, among other things, the quartz in the Strunz 's system is associated with the oxides due to the connection SiO2. Its crystalline structure of interconnected SiO4 tetrahedra but corresponds to that of silicates, under which he may be found by Dana systematics.

Mineral classes

I Elements

In this mineral class are all solid, so gathered occurring in nature in elemental form chemical elements. These include 23 elements (18 metals and non-metals 5 ), as well as their modifications. The class of elements and natural alloys, intermetallic compounds, carbides and relatives are counted. These minerals are rare, but some have a certain economic importance.

  • Examples: Metals and alloys or intermetallic compounds: Gold (Au ), mercury ( Hg), Luanheit, gold amalgam, brass
  • Semi- metals ( metalloids ) and non-metals: antimony (Sb ), arsenic (As), graphite (C ), diamond (C ), silicon (Si ), sulfur ( S), selenium (Se), tellurium (Te)

II sulfides, sulfosalts and related compounds

The class of sulfides and sulfosalts include all compounds between metals and chalcogens sulfur, selenium, tellurium (Te ), arsenic, antimony, and bismuth ( Bi, bismuth earlier ). These include about 600 minerals. Most metals (especially the non-ferrous metals ) are extracted from sulphide ores.

  • Examples: Sulfides: galena ( galena ), pyrite ( iron pyrites ), sphalerite ( zinc blende ), cinnabar ( vermilion ), chalcopyrite ( copper pyrites )
  • Sulfosalts: Miargyrite, aikinite, Baumhauerit, Freieslebenite, enargite

III halides

The halides consist of about 140 of a compound having the halogens fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine with cations such as sodium or calcium. The representatives of these minerals occur in salt deposits.

IV oxides and hydroxides

The combination of metals or non-metals with oxygen or hydroxyl groups ( OH groups) incurred as oxides or hydroxides 400 ( formerly known as oxides ). While hydroxides occur at the Earth's surface as so-called secondary minerals, formation of oxides at high pressure deep inside the earth.

  • Examples: spinel, magnetite, corundum, goethite, boehmite

V carbonates and nitrates

The class of carbonates (obsolete: carbonates ) and nitrates include the salts of nitric acid and carbonic acid. Carbonates have a wide distribution, while nitrates occur as the main constituent of limestones in only a few salt lakes in the tropics.

  • Examples: calcite ( calcite ), aragonite, dolomite, azurite and malachite

VI borates

Borates are the salts of various boric acids. From Structural reasons the variety of borates is even greater than that of silicates. They are differentiated into eight classes: mono-, di -, tri -, tetra -, penta -, hexa -, hepta- and other mega borates, as well as unclassified borates. Borates are rare minerals which can almost only found in salt lakes.

VII sulfates, selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates and tungstates

The class of sulfates, selenates, tellurates, chromates, molybdates and tungstates are the salts of sulfuric acid, chromic acid, molybdic acid, tungstic acid, as well as the selenates and tellurates with divalent tetrahedral complex ions (eg [ SO4 ] 2 -). The group consists of about 700 minerals. While sulfates are of great importance in sedimentary rocks and tungstates can occur in economically relevant degree in hydrothermal deposits, the other sub- groups are very rare.

  • Examples: gypsum, anhydrite, ettringite, Krokoit, scheelite

VIII phosphates, arsenates and vanadates

Among the phosphates, arsenates and vanadates include all minerals with the acid radical H3XO4, where X is phosphorus, vanadium, arsenic. The only rock-forming mineral of this group is apatite, other minerals always occur only in small amounts.

  • Examples: apatite, monazite, xenotime, Vanadinit, Turquoise

IX silicates and Germanates

The silicates with its many rock-forming minerals make up the largest class ( including quartz over 90 % of the earth's crust ) is where the [ SiO4 ] 4 - tetrahedra is an essential element. Also be counted Added to this the very rare Germanates.

  • Examples: Island silicate: Zircon
  • Silicate group: melilite
  • Cyclosilicate: Tourmaline
  • Chain silicate: diopside
  • Silicate band: hornblende
  • Layer silicate: kaolinite
  • Tectosilicate: orthoclase

X Organic Minerals

These include salts of organic acids, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, nitrogen-containing compounds ( organic acids amides or heterocycles ), and resins. Organic minerals have both geoscience and economically only a very minor importance and are formed mainly in the vicinity of deposits of fossil fuels.

  • Examples: Whewellite, Weddellit, Abelsonit, mellit, Evenkit

Bernstein is not recognized by the IMA as a mineral.

Karl Hugo Strunz Strunz classification Native metal Baumhauerite Fluorite Halite Sylvite Carnallite Crocoite Silicate minerals#Sorosilicates Weddellite Abelsonite Mellite Evenkite Amber List of minerals List of rock types
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