The Geochemistry of the Earth - Thanatia: The Destiny of the Earth's Mineral Resources - page 124

Table 5.14 Mineral classification based
on Dana's New Mineralogy (Gaines
et al., 1997)

I Native Elements

II Sulphides

III Oxides

Hydroxides

IV Halides

V Carbonates

Nitrates
Borates

VI Sulphates

Chromates

VII Phosphates

Arsenates
Vanadates
Tungstates
Molybdates

VIII Silicates:

- Nesosilicates
- Sorosilicates
- Cyclosilicates
- Ionosilicates
- Phyllosilicates
- Tectosilicates

IX Organic Minerals

5.6 The mineralogical composition of the upper continental crust

Rocks are indefinite mixtures of naturally occurring substances, mainly minerals.
And minerals can be defined as naturally occurring inorganic solids that possess
an orderly internal structure and a definite chemical composition. According to
the International Mineralogical Association 4 more than 4,000 are known. Of these,
around 150 can be termed “common”, 50 “occasional” and the rest “rare” or “ex-
tremely rare”. The most frequently found minerals are the silicates, accounting for
more than 90% of the Earth's crust. The most common non-silicates are carbon-
ates, oxides and sulphides. Minerals can also be classified according to hardness,
crystal structure, specific gravity, colour, luster or cleavage. Table 5.14 shows one
of the most commonly used mineral classifications based on chemical composition.
Some of the main groups found in Nature are briefly discussed in Sec. B.1 in the
Appendix, indicating which principal minerals are included in each group.

4 The International Mineralogical Association (IMA) is responsible for the approval and the nam-
ing of new mineral species found in Nature.