Through this series of three lessons, students will gain an understanding of the basics of mineral science. In their investigation they will also work through the scientific process as they practice their observation skills, form...

Instructional module focusing on the Silicate minerals. Discussion includes the most common minerals on Earth such as quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links...

In this geology course, students learn about the use of the polarizing microscope, the primary tool for examining the structure of mineral samples such as cleavage, density, fracture, color, and the like.

Descriptions and pictures of over thirty minerals are available at this website. Documents describing the properties of minerals and how to use the properties for identification templates to make models, and dichotomous keys make up the...

Use this resource to look up any mineral by name to see its picture along with history, class, uses, related minerals, and physical properties. Just choose from this alphabetically sorted list of minerals.

Overview of minerals with definitions, how to identify them, what they are used for, and crystals.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Learn about the process of mineral formation.

Here are step-by-step instructions on how to create crystals. This is a great experiment for students to use in learning about the structure and formation of crystals.

Though rock candy seems to be a simple enough treat, it is also pretty interesting to make. Crystallized sugar that can be grown from a sugar-water solution is just how rock candy is made. In this experiment, you will learn to make your...

After explaining the difference between cleavage and fracture, this resource discusses various types of cleavage and their importance in identifying minerals.

An explanation of the Mohs Hardness scale is followed by illustrations of crystal structures and cleavage.

This is a detailed reference list of minerals and mineral classes.

Search for mineral formulas and crystal structures by entering the keywords or mineral names on this mineral database.

Students can carry out an investigation using sugar and water to determine whether heating or cooling a substance may cause changes that can be observed. This activity reinforces the ideas that the properties of materials can change when...

A college course featuring mineral image galleries, labs, and instructor's notes on the topics of crystalline structure, crystal chemistry, and bonding in rock-forming minerals.

This lesson will present how to identify and classify crystals. It is 2 of 3 in the series titled "Geology: Crystals."

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Defines the properties of a mineral.

[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Defines the properties of a mineral.

This set of lesson plans was developed to accompany Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future, a documentary film created by Caterpillar and Science North. They introduce young scholars to the various phases involved in mining,...

This resource provides a description of the mineral quartz, including physical characteristics and color images.

Information on the dietary and nutritional significance of selenium from an authoritative source.

This lesson will present how to identify and classify crystals. It is 1 of 3 in the series titled "Geology: Crystals."

This lesson will present how to identify and classify crystals. It is 3 of 3 in the series titled "Geology: Crystals."

A detailed description of amethyst, including its physical properties and the more noteworthy locations it is mined.