Minerals

Minerals

International standards and resources

The International Mineralogical Association (IMA) has a Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification that provides comprehensive information on mineral names (including spelling).

Australian conventions and resources

For minerals, the Geological Society of Australia is a member of the IMA, and Australian scientists follow the IMA classification.

See also Australia’s identified mineral resources and Australia’s mineral resource assessment, both published by Geoscience Australia.

Did you know? There are nearly 5,000 known minerals; the names of about 4,600 of these have been approved by the IMA.

Minerals are naturally occurring substances found on Earth, and are stable at room temperature. Minerals are different from rocks – for example, they have a specific chemical composition. Use lower case for mineral names:

diamond     gold     quartz     sapphire     

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