Gems and minerals have fascinated people for thousands of years.
Rocks, minerals and gemstones surround us in our daily lives. We use minerals to construct our homes, bridges, buildings, artistic sculptures and decoration. Metallic minerals, especially gold, have been our primary source of currency since the dawn of modern man. Precious gemstones such as diamonds, emerald and rubies are considered very valuable in almost every society and are often given as gifts or tokens of affection.
Popular Metallic Minerals
In addition to their many structural uses, metallic minerals are also decorative.
The most commonly recognized metallic mineral is probably gold. It has been used as currency, decoration and jewelry for centuries. The mineral copper is used in our homes for pipes and electrical wires. Titanium is used for jewelry and also in surgical instruments and implants because of its strength. Iron, zinc, nickel and aluminum are all used for construction projects around the world.
Non-Metallic Minerals
Sandstone, often made of the mineral quartz, is used as a building material.
Decades ago, few people knew that a naturally occurring mineral with useful qualities, such as being virtually fireproof, was also a heavy carcinogen: asbestos. Bismuth is another non-metallic mineral that is often used in pharmaceuticals and chemicals. Feldspar is an important rock-forming mineral used to make decorative porcelain and even soap. Lead pencils aren't really made of lead; they use the mineral graphite, which can also double as a dry lubricant in manufacturing. Gypsum and quartz sandstone are also commonly found in buildings and construction.
Gemstones
Diamonds, made of pure carbon, are the hardest mineral on Earth.
Gemstones are used for much more than making jewelry. Varieties of quartz, such as amethyst and citrine, are often used in jewelry and in glass, paints and abrasives. Clean specimens of garnet are also used in jewelry, while less-than-perfect garnets might be used in electronics or filtration devices. Corundum, one of the hardest minerals next to diamond, is also known as a ruby or a sapphire depending on its color. Diamonds are also used for other purposes besides jewelry, including in tools and drill bits, and as an excellent polishing grit.
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