Mineral Classes
Minerals are grouped into classes based on their dominant anion or anionic group. The classification below follows the Dana/Strunz system.
| Class | Dominant anion / group | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Silicates | SiO₄⁴⁻ | Quartz, feldspar, mica |
| Sulfides | S²⁻ | Pyrite, galena, sphalerite |
| Carbonates | CO₃²⁻ | Calcite, malachite, dolomite |
| Oxides | O²⁻ | Hematite, corundum, magnetite |
| Sulfates | SO₄²⁻ | Gypsum, barite, celestine |
| Halides | Cl⁻, F⁻ | Halite, fluorite |
| Phosphates | PO₄³⁻ | Apatite, turquoise |
| Native elements | — | Gold, silver, copper, sulfur |
| Hydroxides | OH⁻ | Goethite, gibbsite |
| Borates | BO₃³⁻ | Borax, ulexite |