By: Nolan and Jenna

By: Nolan

Minerals are solid compounds (two or more elements combined).

Minerals are inorganic, which means they’re not alive.

Minerals are naturally occurring and have a fixed structure.

http://www.jewelinfo4u.com/Differentiating_Diamond_and_its_Imitation.aspx

Mineral crystals come in different systems. Hexagonal-example: graphite Tetragonal-example: chalcopyrite Cubic-example: halite (rock salt) Orthorhombic-example: topaz Monoclinic-example: talc Triclinic-example: kaoliniteThese systems each have a fixed pattern in

the form of a geometric shape.

These are ways to identify minerals. Luster-The luster of a mineral is the way

light reflects off the surface. Minerals with a metallic luster are shiny. Minerals with a nonmetallic luster look dull.

Streak-Streak is the color of the powder left when it is rubbed against a hard, rough surface.

Cleavage-Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces.

Hardness-Hardness is the measure of how well a mineral resists scratching. http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/mineral/

mica/peel.htm

Minerals and crystals form in different ways.

Crystals form when magma cools and the molecules fall into a certain pattern or when water rich in dissolved minerals evaporates and leaves the minerals behind.

Diamonds are formed when the weight of other rocks pushing down and heat from below makes a “pressure cooker”.

http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/mineral/quartz/quartz1.htm

Silicates are minerals that contain silicon, oxygen (the two most common elements), and usually one or more other elements.

http://www.hardwaresphere.com/2009/03/02/silicon-power-unveils-64gb-flash-drive/

Asbestos is a threadlike mineral.

Asbestos has high heat-resistance capabilities and is used in insulation and fire-proof clothing.

Asbestos has been known to cause lung cancer if inhaled and is being removed from many buildings.

http://www.readaboutmesothelioma.com/asbestos.html

Minerals are used in many things.

Some minerals called gems are used in jewelry. Some examples are rubies and sapphires.

Gems are also used to mark special occasions, such as weddings.

http://www.ultimatearticleauthority.com/a-guide-to-buying-loose-gemstones/

By: Jenna Breitenfeldt

Rock Cycle: A rock cycle is a process that takes many years. It changes back and forth among magma, igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks that is a never ending series.

Rock: A rock is a naturally formed solid in the crust made up of one or more minerals.

Rocks are changed by processes of weathering, erosion, compaction, cementation, melting, and cooling.

http://keep3.sjfc.edu/students/acn00433/e-port/MSTI260/Virtual%20Learning/Volcanoes/Volcanoes.html

Other common rock-forming minerals include feldspar, hornblende, and mica.

http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=12001

Sedimentary rocks can be changed by heat and pressure to form Metamorphic rock.

It also can be changed into Igneous rock by heat, pressure, heating, and cooling.

Metamorphic rocks can melt and cool to form Igneous rock.

To change Metamorphic rock to Sedimentary rock, it must go through weathering, erosion, compaction, and cementation.

Igneous rocks then weather and erode and the fragments from it might form another sedimentary rock.

Heat and pressure can also change igneous rocks into metamorphic rocks.

http://www.oasisdesign.net/design/gallery/balance.htm