GeologyRocks

Hi Merkinz,

The best way (I think) would be to classify them according to their structure and chemistry. By this I mean group minerals in large groups such as sheet silicates (e.g. micas),framework silicates (e.g. feldspars), ortho- and ring- silicates (e.g. olivine), and chain silicates (e.g. pyroxenes, amphiboles) as well as non-silicates e.g. sulphides (e.g. pyrite), oxides (e.g. hematite) etc. This may seem complicated, but this is the way most geologists classify minerals, and it will make sense (eventually! - it took me a long time). If you have a look at either http://www.minweb.co.uk/ - with 3D structures of minerals, and groupings as above - or use a textbook, such as Deer, Howie and Zussman - An introduction to the Rock Forming Minerals (a university standard textbook and VERY useful), then this will explain more about these classifications. Other ways of sorting are by optical and physical properties - look at http://webmineral.com/ and http://webmineral.com/determin.shtml for examples of this.

Hope this helps

thanks, i think i'll give it a try

I think that is the ONLY way to have any sucess Simon.

Another useful book is 'Glossary of Mineral Species' by Michael Fleischer & Joseph Mandarino (normally refered to as just 'Flischer'.)
Mine is 1995 Seventh Edition (must get an update!). There appears to be no ISBN but inside it says:

Order from: Glossary - Mineralogical Record, PO box 35565, Tucson, Arizona 85740, USA

Think I paid about £10 for it.
Anyway it gives minerals and varieties in alphabetical order - at random......"Mallardite Mn2+ SO/4.7H2O, mon, rose-coloured, Melanterite group" and 'Orthoclase, K Al Si/3 O/8, mon. with partially ordered Al - Si arrangements, diamorph. with Microline, forms series withCelsian and Hyalophane, feldspar group' So lots of information in note form.

At the back it gives the groups and all the minerals in that group with their chemical formula, then finally an appendix with the mineral names and what they are chemically ( e.g Muscovite - Potassium aluminosilicate hydroxide)

Pretty well all the mineral dealers and serious collectors use it as a 'bible'
John

That sounds an excellent book, John. I'll have to keep an eye out for that. I've always had trouble with minerals. I'm findthe only way to learn them is through hard work and exposure to the various minerals.

Jon

I find it very useful Jon. I agree the only way is hard work and exposure. Play with them or look at them long enough it and it might start to stick - if you have the interest.
But isn't that a bit like fossils? I'm not very good at them simply because past dating rocks I really don't have the same interest as other people. :?

John