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Top 15 Facts about Minerals

How would the world be without minerals that are discovered throughout history? You would imagine that human beings can live without minerals. The truth is that we need minerals as much as we need life itself. A deeper understanding of minerals can enlighten us on the importance of minerals in human life. Ranging from health promoters such as iron, calcium, and magnesium, to the valuable and most expensive diamond and gold, minerals are part of human life. These natural elements occur naturally on the earth’s crust from geological processes such as heat, light, and pressure among others. There are more than five thousand species of minerals that play different roles, from technological advancement to solving health issues. You can never know everything about all minerals because they are many.

The following are some of the best 15 facts about minerals that you ought to know:

1. Did you Know that Minerals Occur Naturally from Natural Processes?

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All minerals that exist in the world occur naturally taking different forms, chemical composition, and structure. All the characteristics of minerals are determined by the region where the mineral occurs, the forces involved in forming the minerals, and the chemicals involved. Therefore, minerals are formed without artificial forces, rather, by geological processes over time. Some minerals take time to form due to the limited chemical components that form the mineral, while others form faster. Without human beings, minerals would still form.

Also see: 10 Fun Facts About Crystals

2. A Definitive Definition of the Term ‘Mineral’ has not been arrived at 

At this time in life, one would say that everything has been said and done, and the definition of the term ‘mineral’ should not be a matter to debate. However, a true definition of a mineral is still under debate because of the different types of minerals with varying structures, and texture among several other variations. Besides, other minerals have not been discovered and might possess different properties.

3. We can Describe and Distinguish Minerals using their Physical Properties

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The best way to distinguish a mineral from another is by looking at its physical properties. Although chemical structure and composition are key to making a physical structure, it is hard to distinguish minerals using their chemical composition. It is easier to use crystal structure, color, lustier, texture, tenacity, elasticity, and other physical properties to tell the difference between gold and diamond. To some degree, taste or smell can also be used to differentiate minerals.

4. Silicate is by far the Most Abundant Mineral that Exists on the Earth’s Surface

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The silicate group minerals are abundant on the earth’s surface because they are formed by silicon and oxygen as the major components. The two components combine with other elements such as aluminum, magnesium, or Irion. As you can see, oxygen is an abundantly free element found on the earth’s surface, under the water, or in soil. This is why quartz, feldspar, and mica are abundant minerals in the world because they belong to the silicon group.

5. Some Minerals are Deadly as they Can lead to Injuries or Environmental Damage

If you thought that all minerals are friendly objects that you can go around smelling, tasting, and touching, you should think again. Some minerals are deadly and they can kill people when they are not handled properly. Most of these minerals are radioactive. If you come across a mineral that contains isotopes such as uranium and plutonium, you would rather not put your hands on it if you need to live a little longer. However, when handled well, these minerals have changed the world.

6. Gold is the Highly Sought Mineral in the World

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Even after more than four thousand years, gold is still the most valuable and highly sought mineral in the world. The mineral was used in the past as a form of currency used for doing business, paying for goods and services, and making ornaments. Those who possessed gold were regarded as the richest in society because they had a precious commodity. Today, gold is still used to make expensive jewelry, currency, and other purposes, hence being the most sought mineral.

Check out: 10 Fascinating Facts About Copper

7. Diamond is the Most Valuable Mineral in the World

You probably have the idea that gold or any other mineral has more value than diamond. The truth is that diamond holds the first spot for being the most valuable mineral in the world. This mineral easily fits the statement that suggests that whatever is rarely available is the most valuable. Diamonds are not easy to find. They also possess unique physical and chemical properties that no other mineral has. Diamonds are arguably the hardest mineral, and they are shiny. These properties make diamonds have more value.

8. There are more than Five Thousand Different Species of Minerals

There are so many minerals in the world that you would never study all of them. Five thousand is not a small number because this number would rise in the future. The International Mineralogical Association has approved just over five thousand discovered minerals. A few that have not been approved are under constant scientific research.

9. Only Eight Elements are Universal and they Exist in Most Mineral

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Oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, magnesium, calcium, sodium, and potassium are the major elements that combine to form several minerals. These elements can easily be found on the earth’s surface. They form more than ninety percent of the earth’s crust. Oxygen, for example, exists in almost all minerals in the world.

10. Minerals have been classified into three major groups

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We can classify minerals as either dichromatic, all-chromatic, or pseudo-chromatic. Dichromatic minerals have a definite color that comes from the mineral itself such as the azurite. All chromatics on the other hand obtain their color from other minerals and external factors that cause the impurities. The pseudo chromatic is defined as ‘faze colored’ because they change color when exposed to different sources of light.

11. The Alexandrites and Zultanates have the Property that makes them change their Color 

Some minerals can change color depending on the angle through which the light shines on them. The alexandrite and Zultanates have the property to show one color when viewed under sunlight and a different color when viewed indoors. These minerals and others can display different types of colors when exposed to different environmental conditions, other than light.

12. Not all Minerals are harmful to Human Body 

Your body would become sickly and you would be bound in bed if you lacked calcium, iron, and magnesium. Each of these minerals has a role to maintain good human health and prevent diseases. You would not be able to walk due to weak bones if you lacked calcium which makes bones and teeth strong. Lack of iron in the body leads to anemia which threatens human health. You see, without minerals, we would not have good health.

15 Facts About Aluminum

13. Minerals Combine in Different Proportions to form Rocks

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Rocks come into existence because two or more minerals combine to form a single structure. The properties and characteristics of different types of rocks depend on the type of minerals that have combined to form the rock. Granite is an example of a rock that consists of minerals such as quartz, mica, and feldspar. Rocks have different textures, colors, luster, weights, and other physical properties depending on the minerals used in forming the rock.

14. Have you ever wondered how the Physical Properties of Minerals are differentiated? 

The Mohs scale was developed by Friedrich Mohs. The scale is calibrated from one to ten to measure the hardness of minerals. Different minerals score from one to ten indicating the level of hardness. According to the Mohs scale, Tac is the softest mineral with a score of one on the scale while diamond is the hardest mineral scoring ten on the scale.

15. Gemstones are the rarest group of minerals

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Diamond is one of the gemstones that scores high on all characteristics of gemstones. Diamonds are the rarest, most beautiful, and most durable gemstones. These minerals are cut into small sizes to enhance their beauty through polishing before they are placed on the market.

To sum up, there are more than five thousand minerals in the world possessing different properties. These numerous approved minerals come in different color, texture, luster, taste, and smell among other physical and chemical properties. These minerals vary in value due to their rarity, durability, quality, and beauty. Minerals vary from the most sought such as gold, to the hardest such as diamond and there is a mineral from every part of the world. The world would be a difficult place to live and people would die if minerals did not exist.