Native element mineral

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