This course provides a detailed description of chemical, physical and structural characteristics of minerals and their identification and classification. A knowledge of mineral names and mineral groups, of their chemical composition, their genesis and associations, is of major importance for a better understanding of geological, petrological, geochemical and ore depositing processes on our planet. The cource covers a wide range of chapters that include the physico-chemical properties of minerals, as well as, a detailed description of all minerals groups. Laboratory exercises include mineral identification both macroscopically and microscopically. The field exercise aims to identify and collect minerals in the field.
Introduction to Systematic Mineralogy. Μineral definition. Nomenclature of minerals. Habit and growth of crystals. αντοχή, Physical properties of minerals: color, streak, hardness, luster, transparency, cleavage and fracture, density and specific gravity, magnetic and electrical properties, fluoresence, radioactivity; Chemical composition, structure and chemical properties of minerals: chemical elements, bonding, coordination polyhedra, ionic structures, isomorphism, solid solution, polymorphism, exsolution, pseudomorphism. Calculation of structural formula and nomenclature of a mineral from the electron probe microanalysis; Mineral formation and growth of minerals. Stability fields of minerals. Mineral assemblages. Paragenesis. Geological environments of mineral formation. Minerals in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Bowen’s reaction series. Inclusions in minerals; Classification and description of minerals: Native elements, Sulfides, Antimonides, Arsenides, Selenides, Tellurides, Sulfoarsenides, Sulfosalts, Halides, Carbonates-Borates-Nitrates, Sulfates, Chromates-Tungstates-Molybdates, Phosphates-Arsenates-Vanadates, Oxides-Hydroxides, Nesosilicates, Sorosilicates, Cyclosilicates, Inosilicates, Phyllosilicates, Tectosilicates; Minerals of Greece and conditions of their genesis. Visit to the Mineralogy-Petrology Museum and description of the mineral groups through the museum's collections.