mineralfamilies

Mineral families, also known as mineral groups, are classifications of minerals based on their dominant anion or anionic group. This organizational system is fundamental in mineralogy, allowing for a systematic understanding of the vast number of known minerals. The primary organizing principle is the presence of a specific negatively charged ion or group of ions that binds to positively charged cations.

The most common mineral family is the silicates, characterized by the [SiO4]4- tetrahedron. These minerals constitute over 90% of the Earth's crust and are further subdivided based on how these tetrahedra are linked. Other significant mineral families include oxides, where oxygen is the dominant anion, and sulfides, where sulfur is the dominant anion. Carbonates, characterized by the [CO3]2- group, and sulfates, with the [SO4]2- group, are also important categories. Halides, containing halogens like chlorine or fluorine, and native elements, minerals composed of a single element, represent further classifications. Understanding these families helps predict a mineral's physical and chemical properties, as minerals within the same family often share similarities.