National Geographic: Minerals, Gems Information
More than 4,000 naturally occurring minerals—inorganic solids that have a characteristic chemical composition and specific crystal structure—have been found on Earth. They are formed of simple molecules or individual elements arranged in repeating chains, sheets, or three-dimensional arrays. Minerals are typically formed when molten rock, or magma, cools, or by separating out of mineral-rich water, such as that in underground caverns. In general, mineral particles are small, having formed within confined areas such as lava flows or between grains of sediments. Large crystals found in geodes and other rocks are relatively rare.
Crystals
Properties: Although not a crystal, abalone shell has been used for centuries in jewelry and carvings. Nicknamed the sea ears, the Abalone's flattened, oval shape with iridescent interior was used by the Native Northwest American Indians as a natural vessel for cleansing, offerings and prayers. Embracing the colors of the ocean, the shell displays iridescent colors in its blues, greens, purples and yellows. This unique shell embodies all the aspects of the water element including love, beauty, gentleness, caring, comfort, peacefulness, delight and solace It is soft to the touch from repeated tumbling in the sand and water.
Information about Types of Rocks & Minerals
Minerals are naturally occurring substances formed by geological processes. They are usually solid and feature a crystal structure as well as specific physical properties and chemical composition. Physical properties of minerals include crystal structure, hardness (Mohs scale), lustre (how it reflects light) and color, as well as more complicated properties such as streak, fracture, cleavage and density. Mohs scale of hardness measures the ability of minerals to scratch each other.
Comment naissent les montagnes
Comment naissent les montagnes ? Les montagnes naissent, vivent et meurent. Ce sont des ensembles dynamiques et non des structures immobiles…
Rock Types
"Colour: Grey or pink but with dark streaks and layers. Texture: Medium- to coarse grained. Characterized by discontinuous, altering light and dark layers, the former usually having a coarsely granular texture while the latter, which often contains mica, may be foliated. Structure: In addition to the gneissose texture described above, gneisses tend to be banded on a large scale with layers and streaks of darker and lighter coloured gneiss. Granite and quartz veins and pegmatites are common.
What Is A Mineral?
What is a mineral? These are the characteristics of minerals followed by a brief explanation of each characteristic. Remember minerals have a different definition than rocks.
Géologie et mines
À l’instar des historiens qui utilisent les constructions, vieilles de plusieurs siècles, pour retracer l’histoire récente de nos territoires, les géologues interrogent les roches et les paysages, âgés de plusieurs millions d’années, pour relater l’histoire de nos montagnes. Autour de Briançon, les roches les plus variées se juxtaposent, se superposent, se télescopent en un joyeux charivari que les géologues savent débrouiller pour vous faire découvrir l’histoire des Alpes, celle d’un océan aujourd’hui disparu… En quelques dizaines de kilomètres, on passe de roches formées dans un milieu continental à des roches résultant d’une sédimentation océanique de plus en plus profonde. La plus grande partie du Briançonnais est constituée par des terrains, vieux de 300 millions d’années.
Crystals
Azeztulite is among the highest vibrations in the Mineral Kingdom. It has been said that it stimulates the three 'ascension points', at the base of the spine, the middle of the abdomen, and the center of the brain. These points are believed to be important for people choosing to consciously enter higher vibrational realms while in the physical body. Azeztulites are stones which have been engineered etherically to carry the energies and communications of a group soul called the' Azez'.
What are minerals?
Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a definite chemical composition and a regular atomic structure. From this basis come all their physical properties. Some of the most obvious physical properties of a mineral are hardness (resistance to scratching), tenacity (resistance to impact), specific gravity (relative density), cleavage (the tendency of some crystals to split along planes of weakest atomic bonding), magnetism, conductivity of electricity, reactibility to acids etc.
Rocks: Igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary. (n.d.). Retrieved from by libs605odu Mar 1