mineralogie

Mineralogy is the science that studies minerals, the inorganic substances that make up rocks and the Earth's crust. It concerns their chemical composition, crystal structures, physical properties, and occurrence. Mineralogists identify minerals in rocks, describe their properties, and interpret their origins and distribution in geological settings.

The field has deep historical roots in mineral classification and crystallography. Early observers noted consistent crystal forms, and in the 18th and 19th centuries scientists advanced systematic classification and the understanding of crystal structures. Modern mineralogy integrates analytical techniques to reveal composition, structure, and phase relations at micro- and nano-scales.

Subfields include descriptive mineralogy, which catalogs minerals and their properties; optical mineralogy, which uses polarized light microscopy to study crystal optics; and chemical or physical mineralogy, which analyzes composition, solid solutions, and lattice structure. Crystallographers examine symmetry and crystal lattices, while mineral chemists study how substitutions and reactions affect mineral stability and formation.

Methods used in mineralogy include optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, and spectroscopic techniques such as Raman and infrared spectroscopy. Microanalysis determines elemental composition, and X-ray diffraction identifies crystal structures. Mineral identification relies on properties such as hardness, cleavage, luster, color, and streak, often complemented by instrumental data.

Applications span mineral resource exploration, petrology, environmental science, and materials research. Mineralogy informs ore genesis, mineral stability under varying conditions, and the sourcing of industrial minerals. It also supports planetary science by interpreting minerals found in meteorites and on planetary surfaces. In English-language contexts, the field is commonly referred to as mineralogy.