COMMON ROCK-FORMING MINERALS

There are almost 5000 known mineral species, yet the vast majority of rocks are formed from
combinations of a few common minerals, referred to as “rock-forming minerals”. A rock-
forming mineral is any mineral that shapes igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic rocks and
acts as an intimate part of rock-making procedures, typically or exclusively.

Amphibole – An important group of

rock-forming minerals in igneous
and metamorphic rocks, amphiboles
share a similar crystal structure and
cleavage pattern, but contain
different proportions of sodium (Na),
calcium (Ca), iron (Fe), and
magnesium (Mg), which substitute
for one another in its crystal
structure. Amphibole minerals are
generally dark-colored, and hard, and
are so similar in appearance that
often they can only be distinguished
from one another by examination under an optical microscope. It is used as paving stones and
as a veneer or facing on buildings (both for interior and exterior use). It is also used as crushed
stone for the usual crushed stone applications such as road and railroad bed construction.

Color - Dark green, dark brown, black, Hardness - 5 to 6 (harder than glass), Specific Gravity
- 3.0 to 3.4, Luster - Vitreous (glassy) to dull, Streak -White to gray, Diaphaneity-
Translucent to Opaque

Calcites- most commonly occurs in

sedimentary settings, particularly in
shallow marine settings as the shells
and hard parts of marine organisms. It
is also found in hydrothermal veins and
hot spring deposits. Calcite is the
principal constituent of limestone and
marble. The properties of calcite make
it one of the most widely used minerals.
Although cement production accounts
for the bulk of calcite used by our
modern society, large amounts are also
used in the manufacture of steel and glass. Rocks composed primarily of calcite, such as
limestone and marble, are also extensively quarried as decorative building stones and for
sculpture. Because of the ease with which calcite reacts with even weak acids, calcite is used
to balance soil acidity, in water treatment, and as a calcium supplement in animal feed. Calcite
even has medicinal value as both a supplemental source of calcium and as an antacid. Calcite’s
ready reaction with dilute acids not only serves to identify its presence in geological samples,
but can neutralize excess stomach acids that cause discomfort

Color Transparent to translucent calcite crystals are colorless, white or light-colored;

massive forms of calcite are typically buff, gray, or white. Hardness 3 (down to 2.5 on
some surfaces) – easily scratched by a metal nail, but too hard to be scratched by a fingernail.
Specific Gravity 2.7 (feels relatively light). Luster vitreous (glass-like) to dull. Streak
white. Diaphaneity-Transparent to Translucent.

Feldspars – is the name of a large

group of rock-forming silicate
minerals that make up over 50% of
Earth's crust. They are found in
igneous, metamorphic, and
sedimentary rocks in all parts of the
world. Feldspars are also important
constituents of gabbro and basalt,
which are the primary types of rock
in Earth’s oceanic crust. Feldspar
minerals have very similar structures,
chemical compositions, and physical
properties. Feldspar is a common raw
material used in glassmaking, ceramics, and to some extent as a filler and extender in paint,
plastics, and rubber. In glassmaking, improves product hardness, durability, and resistance to
chemical corrosion.

Color-pink, white, gray, brown, and blue. Hardness - 6-6.5, Specific Gravity 2.5–2.8,
Luster – vitreous, Streak – White, Diaphaneity - Translucent to Opaque

Garnet – is a set of minerals of silicate that have been used as gemstones and abrasives since
the Bronze Age. The word ‘garnet’ comes from the Latin word granatus, which means ‘seed-
like,’ a reference to the common appearance of garnets as discrete small red rounded crystals
that look like pomegranate seeds embedded in rock. Although red garnets are the most common
variety, garnets occur in nearly every color except for blue. Garnets occur in some igneous
rocks but are more typical of high-
grade metamorphic rocks. Most
garnet found near Earth's surface
forms when a sedimentary rock with
a high aluminum content, such as
shale, is subjected to heat and
pressure intense enough to produce
schist or gneiss. The role garnet plays
in your life in part depends on your
interests and hobbies. For those with
an interest in gems and jewelry,
several commonly known gemstones
are simply just different-colored varieties of garnet. In contrast, woodworkers, model
enthusiasts, and home repair aficionados know garnet better as the ‘sand’ of sandpaper. Both
uses are tied to garnet’s remarkable hardness.

Color Variable, with dark red to reddish brown being the most common, but varieties may
be red-violet, brown, black emerald green, or even white. Hardness 6.5 – 7.5 (very hard)
Specific Gravity 3.6 – 4.3 (increases with iron content). Luster - Vitreous (glass-like) to
resin-like. Streak white (or pale shade of the sample’s color). Diaphaneity- Transparent to
Translucent

Gypsum - is a very soft mineral that is

easily identified by its hardness,
cleavage, and solubility in water.
Typically clear to white, gypsum may
be colored reddish to brown or yellow
if impurities are present. Most gypsum
occurs in its massive form, as layers of
rock that often intercalate layers of
shale, limestone, or dolostone.
Gypsum has many applications in art
and pottery but is also used in
medicine as casts for broken bones or as dental molds for making artificial teeth. Its many other
uses include the ‘paste’ component of toothpaste, modern chalk used in classrooms, and filler
for paper and paints. It is also an important component added to cement, to slow the rate at
which concrete settles or hardens. Large amounts of gypsum are used as fertilizer or as a
conditioner for soil, displacing sodium in the soil and allowing the soil to hold more moisture.
Color - Usually white, colorless or gray in massive form. If impurities are present, gypsum
may also appear to be red, brown or yellow. Hardness 2 (very soft). Specific Gravity 2.3
(feels rather light). Luster vitreous (glass-like) to pearly. Streak – White. Diaphaneity
Transparent to Translucent

Muscovite – Often called ‘white mica’,

muscovite is the lightest colored mica
mineral. A common, widely
distributed, rock-forming mineral. It
does not occur in other igneous rocks
but is very common in metamorphic
phyllites and schists where it is largely
responsible for the shiny luster of those
rocks. It also occurs in metamorphic
gneiss where it contributes to the rock’s
light-colored bands. Muscovite is so
light in color that light will easily pass through its thin transparent translucent sheets.
Muscovite’s excellent insulating properties against both heat and electricity make it an
essential resource for many industries. In the past, sheets of muscovite were particularly useful
as insulating material in radio tubes. Presently they are still widely used in electrical condensers
and heating elements. Like most micas, however, the majority of muscovite is ground up to be
used as filler, roofing material, lubricant, or a dusting material to keep rubber and asphalt goods
from sticking to one another during transportation and storage. Muscovite flakes are used to
create the sparkle seen in artificial snow for Christmas decorations and the glitter of many
cosmetic products such as nail polish, glitter, glossy lipstick, and shimmering eye shadow.

Color - Usually colorless, white or silver, occasionally yellow or brown. Hardness 2 to 3

(very soft). Specific Gravity - 2.8-3 (feels slightly lighter than expected for sample size).
Luster - vitreous (glass-like) to pearly. Streak White. Diaphaneity Transparent to
Translucent

Galena – also called lead glance, is the most abundant lead mineral, has been mined for
millennia, and remains our major source of that metal. It is a metallic, lead-gray mineral with
cubic cleavage and a distinctly high density that makes galena samples feel much ‘heavier’
than expected for their size. Because it melts at a relatively low temperature and is so easily
worked, lead was one of the first metals to be extensively used by many societies. Over
centuries, lead use has led to the historic development of coins, bullets, batteries, televisions,
and computers. As odd as it may seem
though, lead has never been used in the
manufacture of lead pencils. The ‘lead’
in pencils is actually a mixture of
graphite and clay.

Color Lead gray. Hardness 2.5 (about

as hard as a fingernail). Specific
Gravity 7.4-7.6 (feels ‘heavy’, even
for a metallic mineral). Luster
Metallic. Streak Lead gray.
Diaphaneity Opaque

Magnetite – is a black, opaque,

magnetic mineral that leaves a black
streak when rubbed across a hard rough
surface. Magnetite is one of the most
widespread iron oxide minerals and
occurs in a variety of geologic
environments. It is a common accessory
mineral in igneous rocks. Magnetite is
one of the most widespread iron oxide
minerals and occurs in a variety of
geologic environments. It is a common
accessory mineral in igneous rocks, but
seldom forms crystals large enough to be seen in hand samples. Magnetite has high iron
content. ‘Magnetite’ was named after the Magnesia region of Thessaly, Greece, the home of
the Magnetes and an important center of iron production. Fine-dried MagnetiFine-died from
natural iron oxide is used in the foundry as a sand additive to prevent surface defects of the
casted metal.

Color - Black to a silvery gray. Hardness - 5.5 – 6.5 (harder than glass). Specific Gravity-
5.2 (feels heavy compared to most rock-forming minerals, but about the same as other metallic
minerals). Luster - Metallic to dull. Streak - Black. Diaphaneity – Opaque

Graphite – Graphite’s extreme softness, greasy feel, low specific gravity, and the ease with
which it leaves dark gray to black marks on paper, usually serve to distinguish it from similar-
looking metallic minerals. Its name comes from the Greek word ‘graphein’ (‘to write’), a
reflection of centuries of use in writing and drawing. Most of the graphite seen at Earth's
surface today was formed at convergent
plate boundaries where organic-rich shales
and limestones were subjected to the heat
and pressure of regional metamorphism.
This produces marble, schist, and gneiss
that contain tiny crystals and flakes of
graphite. Graphite is used in pencils and
lubricants. It is a good conductor of heat
and electricity. Its high conductivity
makes it useful in electronic products such
as electrodes, batteries, and solar panels.

Color - Black (but its shiny luster may

give it a silver appearance). Hardness - 1-2 (very soft). Specific Gravity - 2.2 (feels light,
especially for a metallic mineral). Luster - Metallic to dull. Streak – Black. Diaphaneity -
Opaque

Quartz – Ancient Greeks called quartz

‘krystallos’, which means ‘ice’, a reflection
of the clarity of quartz’ clear transparent
crystals. Quartz is a common component of
silica-rich igneous rocks. Because quartz is
relatively stable at surface temperatures
and pressures, it can be concentrated by
weathering processes to be even more
abundant in sedimentary rocks than it is in
igneous rocks. Quartz sand grains are a
significant component of most sandstones
and siltstones, and some detrital sedimentary rocks are almost exclusively composed of quartz
grains. Metamorphism of these sedimentary rocks produces quartzite, a metamorphic rock
composed almost entirely of quartz. Today, billions of quartz crystals are used to make
oscillators for watches, clocks, radios, televisions, electronic games, computers, cell phones,
electronic meters, and GPS equipment. Quartz is also used as an abrasive for sandblasting,
grinding glass, and cutting soft stones. Although glass is one of its most familiar products, our
society has a remarkable range of uses for quartz. By volume though, the bulk of all
commercially mined quartz is used in the construction industry as aggregate for concrete and
as sand in mortar and cement.
Color - Quartz occurs in virtually every color. Common colors are clear, white, gray, purple,
yellow, brown, black, pink, green, and red. Hardness - 7 (very hard). Specific Gravity - 2.6
to 2.7. Luster – Vitreous. Streak – White. Diaphaneity - Transparent to Translucent

Pyroxene – are a group is a group of dark-

colored rock-forming minerals found in
igneous and metamorphic rocks in world
wider conditions of high temperature
and/or high pressure. Augite, diopside,
jadeite, and spodumene, are four of the
best-known members of the pyroxene
group; however, the pyroxene group has
many other members. Pyroxene minerals
are primary or secondary constituents of
many rocks used to make crushed stone,
dimes, dimension, and architectural stones
the trap rock of the construction industry,
and in the "black granites" that are popular for making decorative tile and facing stone.

Color - Usually dark green, dark brown, or black, but some varieties are white to light green.
Hardness 5 to 7 (harder than glass). Specific Gravity 3 to 4 (average). Luster Vitreous
(glass-like) to dull. Streak White, greenish-white or gray. Diaphaneity - Semi translucent to
Opaque.

Olivine – is the name of a group of rock-

forming minerals that are typically found in
igneous rocks such as basalt, gabbro,
dunite, diabase, and peridotite. They are
usually green in color. Most olivine found
at Earth's surface is in dark-colored igneous
rocks. Olivine is one of the first minerals to
be altered by weathering. Olivine’s best
known economic use is the gemstone
peridot, often used as a birthstone for
August.

Color - Pale olive green to yellow-green, occasionally brown. Hardness - 6.5 to 7 (very hard).
Specific Gravity - 3.2 to 4.4. Luster glassy. Streak White. Diaphaneity Transparent to
Translucent.