Non-Silicate Minerals

Using primarily a structural approach, the non-silicate minerals are examined. The chapter discusses the minerals with the simplest structures and follows the order of the Dana and Strunz systems toward the more complex mineral structures. Key to understanding these structures is the concept of close packing of oxygen anions; first described in Chapter 8, it is reviewed at the beginning of this chapter.

 Topics covered in Chapter 23 include:

Close Packing, Revisited
Native Elements
Sulfides and Related Structures
Oxides
Carbonates
Borates
Sulfates
Phosphates
Anhydrous Tungstates
Salts of Organic Acids