This course is for anyone interested in the study of minerals, their properties, and their significance in Earth's systems. It covers fundamental concepts such as the mineral life cycle, the chemical and physical properties, crystallography, mineral classification, and testing. To pass this course, you must successfully complete a written test and a practical exam, which involves the correct identification of 5 minerals.
Units & Lessons
Unit 1:Introduction To Mineralogy
How do scientists define a mineral? Learn what the composition of minerals, the difference between gemstones and minerals, and the life cycle of minerals.
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Unit 2:Optical Properties of Minerals
Color, streak, transparency, luster, and other surface optical phenomena originate from optical physics, so the first properties we will study are the minerals’ optical properties.
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Unit 3:Physical Properties of Minerals
Learn about physical properties of minerals, like cleavage, fracture, hardness, specific gravity, enabling you to understand literature and tables for quick mineral identification.
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Unit 4:Other Mineral Properties
To fully understand minerals, it is also important to understand other mineral properties like magnetism, electrical conductivity, and luminescence.
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Unit 5:Introduction to Crystallography
Minerals like order and symmetry. Let’s find out how inner structure and composition influence the appearance of crystals. Explore the difference between crystal habit, form, and systems.
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Unit 6:Crystal Systems
Explore the main crystal systems: triclinic, monoclinic, orthorhombic, tetragonal, hexagonal, and isometric.
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Unit 7:Classification of Minerals
After learning about mineral properties, it is important to learn how minerals are classified and the common properties found in each mineral class.
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Unit 8:Mineral Testing
Some types of tools and mineral tests are more commonly used in mineralogy as opposed to gemology. Mineralogists don’t necessarily face the same restrictions that gemologists do when testing finished gemstones. Destructive tests are more common. Let’s review some important destructive tests and how to perform them safely.
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