liminfoMineral Database
Free reference guide: Mineral Database
About Mineral Database
The Mineral Database is a comprehensive, searchable reference covering over 30 essential minerals organized into five major groups: silicates (quartz, orthoclase, plagioclase, muscovite, biotite, olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, garnet, tourmaline, talc, chlorite), carbonates and sulfates (calcite, dolomite, gypsum, barite), oxides and hydroxides (magnetite, hematite, corundum), sulfides (pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stibnite), and native elements (gold, silver, native copper, diamond, fluorite, apatite, topaz, graphite, sulfur).
Each mineral entry provides a complete identification profile: Mohs hardness scale rating, color and streak color for diagnostic testing, specific gravity, crystal system classification (cubic, trigonal, monoclinic, orthorhombic, triclinic, tetragonal, hexagonal), cleavage directions and fracture patterns, luster type (vitreous, metallic, adamantine, pearly, resinous, greasy, silky, earthy), chemical formula, and geological occurrence environments. This data is essential for mineral identification in the field and laboratory.
Beyond identification, the database includes practical information such as industrial uses (glass manufacturing, semiconductor production, construction materials, metallurgy, gemstones, abrasives, chemical feedstocks), distinguishing features between similar minerals (calcite vs. dolomite HCl test, pyrite vs. gold streak test, magnetite vs. hematite magnetic test), and the Mohs hardness scale reference minerals from talc (1) through diamond (10). The bilingual Korean-English format serves geology students, mining professionals, gemologists, and earth science educators.
Key Features
- Silicate minerals database: quartz (SiO2), feldspars (orthoclase, plagioclase), micas (muscovite, biotite), olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, garnet, tourmaline, talc, and chlorite with full crystal chemistry
- Carbonate, sulfate, and oxide minerals: calcite/dolomite (HCl reaction comparison), gypsum, barite, magnetite (magnetic properties), hematite (streak diagnostic), and corundum (ruby/sapphire varieties)
- Sulfide ore minerals: pyrite (Fool's Gold identification), galena (lead ore, 86.6% Pb), sphalerite (zinc ore, 67% Zn), chalcopyrite (copper ore, 34.6% Cu), and stibnite (antimony ore)
- Native elements and gemstones: gold (specific gravity 19.3, aqua regia test), silver, copper, diamond (Mohs 10, kimberlite origin), fluorite (fluorescence origin), apatite, topaz, graphite, and sulfur
- Complete identification data for each mineral: Mohs hardness, streak color, specific gravity, crystal system, cleavage/fracture, luster type, and chemical formula
- Geological occurrence environments and formation conditions for each mineral: igneous, metamorphic, sedimentary, hydrothermal, pegmatite, and placer deposit associations
- Industrial applications and economic significance: ore grade percentages, manufacturing uses, gemstone varieties, and modern technology applications (batteries, semiconductors, solar cells)
- Diagnostic comparison tips for commonly confused mineral pairs with bilingual Korean-English searchable interface
Frequently Asked Questions
How many minerals are in this database and how are they organized?
The database contains over 30 minerals organized into 5 groups: silicate minerals (12 entries including quartz, feldspars, micas, olivine, pyroxene, amphibole, garnet, tourmaline, talc, chlorite), carbonates and sulfates (4 entries: calcite, dolomite, gypsum, barite), oxides and hydroxides (3 entries: magnetite, hematite, corundum), sulfides (5 entries: pyrite, galena, sphalerite, chalcopyrite, stibnite), and native elements and others (10 entries including gold, silver, diamond, graphite, sulfur).
What identification properties are listed for each mineral?
Each mineral entry includes: Mohs hardness (1-10), color range, diagnostic streak color, specific gravity, crystal system (cubic, trigonal, monoclinic, orthorhombic, triclinic, tetragonal, hexagonal), cleavage directions and fracture type (conchoidal, irregular, hackly), luster (vitreous, metallic, adamantine, pearly, resinous, greasy), chemical formula, typical geological occurrence, and industrial or gemological uses.
How do I distinguish pyrite from real gold?
Pyrite (FeS2) and gold (Au) can be distinguished by several properties: streak color is the most reliable -- pyrite produces a greenish-black to brownish-black streak while gold produces a gold-yellow streak. Pyrite is harder (Mohs 6-6.5) than gold (Mohs 2.5-3). Gold has much higher specific gravity (19.3 vs 5.01). Gold is malleable (hackly fracture) while pyrite is brittle. Gold dissolves only in aqua regia (HNO3+HCl).
How do I tell calcite and dolomite apart?
The classic diagnostic test is the dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) reaction: calcite (CaCO3) effervesces vigorously in dilute HCl, producing visible CO2 bubbles on the mineral surface. Dolomite (CaMg(CO3)2) only reacts in powdered form -- it shows little to no reaction on a fresh surface. Dolomite is also slightly harder (3.5-4 vs 3) and denser (2.85 vs 2.71) than calcite.
What are the Mohs hardness scale reference minerals?
The 10 reference minerals in the Mohs hardness scale are: 1-Talc, 2-Gypsum, 3-Calcite, 4-Fluorite, 5-Apatite, 6-Orthoclase, 7-Quartz, 8-Topaz, 9-Corundum, 10-Diamond. This database includes detailed entries for all these reference minerals. Practical field tests: fingernail scratches up to 2.5, copper coin up to 3.5, steel knife up to 5.5, glass plate up to 5.5, quartz scratches up to 7.
Which minerals in the database are economically important ores?
Major ore minerals include: magnetite (Fe3O4, 72.4% Fe) and hematite (Fe2O3, 70% Fe) for iron; galena (PbS, 86.6% Pb) for lead with silver byproduct; sphalerite (ZnS, 67% Zn) for zinc with cadmium/indium byproduct; chalcopyrite (CuFeS2, 34.6% Cu) for copper with gold/silver byproduct; and stibnite (Sb2S3, 71.7% Sb) for antimony used in flame retardants and batteries.
What determines whether a mineral forms in cubic vs. other crystal systems?
Crystal system is determined by the internal atomic arrangement and symmetry. Cubic (isometric) minerals like diamond, garnet, pyrite, galena, and fluorite have three equal-length axes at 90 degrees, producing high symmetry. Trigonal minerals like quartz, calcite, and corundum have three-fold rotational symmetry. Monoclinic (muscovite, gypsum, orthoclase) is the most common system. The crystal system affects cleavage directions, optical properties, and crystal habit.
Which minerals in this database are used as gemstones?
Several minerals serve as gemstones: corundum produces ruby (Cr-bearing, red) and sapphire (Fe+Ti, blue); diamond is the hardest gemstone; quartz varieties include amethyst (purple), rose quartz (pink), and citrine (yellow); garnet occurs in multiple colors; tourmaline (especially elbaite) comes in pink, green, blue; olivine produces peridot; topaz is the November birthstone; and fluorite is collected for its diverse colors.