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Current affairs is an important component of several competitive exams such as the UPSC Civil Services Examination, SSC CGL, Bank PO & PSU entrance tests, etc. Therefore, understanding the terms/concepts/events that make news is critical for aspirants. We at PaGaLGuY bring you series of articles explaining some of these important concepts/events.

In this article we are discussing minerals. 

Listed below are some of the major minerals & their characteristics.

1) Feldspar

a) Silicon & oxygen are common elements in all types of feldspar 

b) Other elements like sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminium etc. are found in specific feldspar variety.

c) Half of the Earth’s crust is made up of feldspar. 

d) Feldspar is light cream to salmon pink in colour.

e) It has been used in ceramics & glass making.

2) Quartz

a) It is the most important element in sand & granite. It consists of silica.

b) It is hard in nature and virtually insoluble in water.

c) It is either white or colourless.

d) It is used in making digital watches & computer microprocessors.

3) Pyroxene

a) It consists of aluminium, magnesium, iron & silica.

b) It forms almost 10% of the Earth’s crust.

c) It is commonly found in meteorites.

d) It is green or black coloured.

4) Amphibole

a) Amphibole consists of elements like aluminium, silica, calcium, iron & magnesium. 

b) It forms 7 % of the Earth’s crust.

c) It is in green or black in colour.

d) It is mostly used in asbestos industry.

5) Mica

a) It consists of potassium, aluminium, magnesium, iron, silica, etc. 

b) It forms 4% of total Earth’s crust.

c) This can be commonly found in igneous & metamorphic rocks. 

d) It is mostly used in industrial instruments.

6) Olivine

a) The major elements in olivine are magnesium, iron & silica. 

b) It is usually in green colour and can be found in basaltic rocks.

c) It is mostly used in the jewellery industry.

Beside these major minerals, there are other minor minerals present in the Earth’s crust. For example: Chlorite, calcite, magnetite, bauxite, etc.

Based on their metallic characteristics, minerals can be subdivided into the following 2 groups:

Metallic minerals: These minerals contain metal content. They can be sub-divided into these following groups:

a) Precious metals : gold, silver, platinum

b) Ferrous metals : iron, cast iron, steel

c) Non-ferrous metals : copper, lead, zinc, tin

Non-metallic minerals: These minerals do not contain metal content. For example: sulphur, prosperous & nitrates.