Minerals: Oxides
Minerals are defined by five criteria: 1. Naturally Occurring, 2. Inorganic, 3. Solid, 4. Defined Chemical (Atomic) Formula, and 5. A unique set of physical properties.
Oxides
-are composed of elements combined with oxygen. A particularly common example is the iron oxide hematite, which is iron combined with oxygen. Oxides form a variable group, occurring in many geological environments, and in most rock types.
Magnetite crystals
Magnetite mass
Chromite
Corundum white
Corundum red
Corundum blue
Hollandite
Pyrolusite
Ramsdellite
Hematite
Hematite (botryidal)
Hematite
Rutile in Quartz
Rutile in Quartz
Rutile mass
Zincite
Franklinite
Opal in fossil
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Data: Pellant, Chris. Smithsonian Handbooks: Rocks and Minerals, The clearest recognition guides avaiable. A Dorling Kindersley Book.