Mineralogji

Mineralogji is the science that studies minerals, the naturally occurring inorganic solids with definite chemical compositions and crystalline structures. It encompasses the identification, classification, distribution, formation, properties, and transformations of minerals, as well as their practical uses and environmental interactions. Mineralogji sits at the intersection of geology, chemistry, physics, and materials science, and it informs resource exploration, environmental assessment, and the study of planetary bodies.

Subfields include crystallography, which examines crystal structures and symmetry; optical mineralogy, which uses optical properties under polarized light to identify minerals; chemical mineralogy, which analyzes composition and phase relations; and economic mineralogy (or ore geology), which focuses on minerals of economic value and ore deposits. Additional areas include experimental mineralogy and environmental mineralogy, which study mineral processes in soils and waters.

Common methods range from field identification and petrographic microscopy to advanced instrumental analyses such as X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, and scanning or transmission electron microscopy. Classification systems reflect mineral chemistry and structure, including silicates, carbonates, oxides, sulfides, sulfates, phosphates, and halides. Major mineral groupings include native elements (e.g., gold, copper); silicates (e.g., quartz, feldspar); carbonates (e.g., calcite); oxides (e.g., magnetite); sulfides (e.g., pyrite); and sulfates (e.g., gypsum).

Historically, mineralogji has evolved from ancient observations to modern crystallography and analytical techniques, with contributions from early natural philosophy, 19th-century classification schemes, and 20th-century instrumentation. It remains essential for understanding Earth's crust, resource management, and advanced materials development.