| A mineral is a naturally occurring solid formed | | | | Others love the thrill of the hunt - the challenge |
| through geological processes that has a | | | | the find the perfect mineral - mineral species, |
| characteristic chemical composition, a highly | | | | location, size, colour, aesthetics, price. |
| ordered atomic structure, and specific physical | | | | Others collect minerals purely because they think |
| properties. | | | | they are beautiful, and are entranced by the |
| It's an element or chemical compound that is | | | | colours, the forms, the combination that Mother |
| normally crystalline and that has been formed as | | | | Nature has produced. |
| a result of geological processes. A crystal | | | | But what ever the reason, all collectors have one |
| structure is the orderly geometric spatial | | | | thing in common they are passionate about the |
| arrangement of atoms in the internal structure of | | | | minerals they collect. |
| a mineral. | | | | The collector has to use their best judgment to |
| There are currently more than 4,000 known | | | | make the decision. Some of the criteria that |
| minerals, according to the International | | | | collectors use are: |
| Mineralogical Association, which is responsible for | | | | 1. Size |
| the approval of and naming of new mineral | | | | 2. Color |
| species found in nature. Of these, perhaps 100 | | | | 3. Luster and transparency |
| can be called "common," 50 are "occasional," and | | | | 4. Damage, repairs and reconstruction |
| the rest are "rare" to "extremely rare." | | | | 5. Rarity of the species |
| There are many reasons that people get into | | | | 6. Associated minerals |
| Mineral Collecting. Some people are born with the | | | | 7. Locality |
| 'collecting gene' whilst others love the science | | | | I hope this article which briefly talks about |
| behind the minerals - their chemistry, mineralogy, | | | | collecting minerals helps you but best of all i hope |
| the geological settings that they form in, the | | | | you enjoy your minerals. |
| mineral associations that form together. | | | | |