Native Elements
Native elements are minerals that contain only atoms of one type of element. The elements
are not combined with other elements. In nature most elements are combined with other
elements to form chemical compounds. So, the native elements mineral group contains
a relatively small number of minerals. Some of the minerals in this group are rare and
valuable. Gold, silver, sulfur, and diamond are examples of native elements.
Carbonates
From the name “carbonate,” what would you guess carbonate minerals contain? If you
guessed carbon, you would be right! More specifically, all carbonates contain one carbon
atom bonded to three oxygen atoms. Carbonates may include other elements, such as
calcium, iron, and copper.
Carbonate minerals are often found in areas where ancient seas once covered the land. Some
carbonate minerals are very common. Calcite is one such mineral. Calcite contains calcium,
carbon, and oxygen. Have you ever been in a limestone cave or seen a marble tile? Calcite
is in both limestone and marble. Azurite and malachite are also carbonate minerals, but
they contain copper instead of calcium. They are not as common as calcite, as you can see
inFigure3.8, they are very colorful.
Figure3.8: Azuriteisadeepbluecarbonatemineral. Malachiteisanopaquegreencarbonate
mineral. ( 20 )
Halides
Halide minerals are salts that can form when salt water evaporates. This mineral class
includes more than just table salt. It includes minerals that contain the elements fluorine,
chlorine, bromine, or iodine. These elements combine with metal elements. Halite is a halide
mineral that contains the elements chlorine and sodium. Fluorite is another type of halide