Definition and Classification of Native Element Minerals
- Native element minerals occur in nature in uncombined form with a distinct mineral structure.
- They include metals, intermetallic compounds, alloys, metalloids, and nonmetals.
- The Nickel-Strunz classification system also includes naturally occurring phosphides, silicides, nitrides, carbides, and arsenides.
- Native element minerals are classified according to the Classification of Nickel-Strunz.
- The classification system uses abbreviations such as discredited and questionable to indicate the status of certain minerals.
Examples of Native Element Minerals
- Native copper is a common native element mineral.
- Native gold is another well-known native element mineral.
- Native silver is a valuable native element mineral.
- Native sulfur is a yellow native element mineral.
- Diamond, composed of native carbon, is a highly prized native element mineral.
Native Element Minerals in Nickel-Strunz Classification
- Aluminofluorides, borates, and vanadates are included in the Nickel-Strunz classification system.
- Silicates are further divided into neso, soro, cyclo, ino, phyllo, and tecto structures.
- The classification scheme provides a code for each mineral category.
- The IMA-CNMNC List of Minerals and other references are used to determine the classification.
- The classification system is periodically updated to incorporate new findings.
Special Cases in Native Element Minerals
- Native elements and organic minerals are considered special cases.
- Native elements are assigned ID 1 in the classification system.
- Organic minerals are assigned ID 10.
- Sulfides and oxides are other important categories in native element minerals.
- Various subcategories exist within sulfides, sulfosalts, oxides, and other mineral structures.
Other Mineral Categories in Nickel-Strunz Classification
- Evaporites and similars include carbonates, nitrates, and borates.
- Halides are another category in the classification system.
- Mineral structures with tetrahedral units are classified separately.
- Monomeric minerals, including sulfates, thiosulphates, and chromates, have their own categories.
- Inosilicates, phyllosilicates, and other non-monomeric minerals are also classified.
Native element mineral Data Sources
| Reference | URL |
|---|---|
| Glossary | https://harryandcojewellery.com.au/blogs/glossary/native-element-mineral |
| Wikipedia | http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_element_mineral |
| Wikidata | https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q723127 |
| Knowledge Graph | https://www.google.com/search?kgmid=/m/0g9_3m1 |