mineralogists
Crystal structure experts
Mineralogists are scientists who study minerals—their composition, structure, properties, and formation.
The field combines chemistry, geology, and crystallography.
Mineralogists identify mineral specimens, analyze crystal structures, and investigate how minerals form in various geological environments: The mineralogists examined core samples from the volcanic region.
Scientific study of rocks
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
- graniteIgneous rock, quartz-rich
basalt · schist · limestone · gneiss · quartzite · outcrop · geode · vein
Study of atomic lattices
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- habitSettled regular tendency
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
quartz · amethyst · hexagonal · trigonal · isometric · twinning · prismatic · tabular
Scientific study of gems
- lapidaryWorker of precious stones
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
- semi-preciousModerately valuable, mineralogically
- gemstonesPolished ornamental minerals
diamonds · rubies · sapphires · emeralds · opal · jade · turquoise · garnet
Tool for striking nails
- samplingExtracting subset for study
- collectingGathering items over time
- expeditionsOrganized journeys for exploration
- outcropsProtruding rock formations
mines · quarries · specimens · cataloging · localities · museums · prospecting · exploration
Resistance to penetration
- streakUnbroken series
- lusterSoft reflected light
- cleavageTendency to split cleanly
- fractureSplit in hard material
spectroscopy · fluorescence · phosphorescence · magnetism · radioactivity · blowpipe · loupe · tenacity
Silicon-oxygen bonded minerals
- oxidesOxygen-bonded compounds
- sulfidesCompounds with element sixteen
- carbonatesDissolves CO2 into liquid
- phosphatesSalts of a certain acid
halides · sulfates · hydroxides · borates · species · varieties · polymorphs · isomorphism
petrology
Scientific study of rocks
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- sedimentaryFormed from deposited material
- metamorphicUndergoing structural change
granite · basalt · schist · limestone · gneiss · quartzite · outcrop · geode · vein · host-rock
crystallography
Study of atomic lattices
- latticeOpenwork of crossed strips
- symmetryInvariance under transformation
- habitSettled regular tendency
morphology · quartz · amethyst · hexagonal · trigonal · isometric · twinning · prismatic · tabular · acicular
gemology
Scientific study of gems
- lapidaryWorker of precious stones
- preciousHighly esteemed, greatly valued
- semi-preciousModerately valuable, mineralogically
gemstones · diamonds · rubies · sapphires · emeralds · opal · jade · turquoise · garnet · peridot
hammer
Tool for striking nails
- samplingExtracting subset for study
- collectingGathering items over time
- expeditionsOrganized journeys for exploration
outcrops · mines · quarries · specimens · cataloging · localities · museums · prospecting · exploration · assaying
hardness
Resistance to penetration
fracture · spectroscopy · fluorescence · phosphorescence · magnetism · radioactivity · blowpipe · loupe · tenacity
silicates
Silicon-oxygen bonded minerals
- oxidesOxygen-bonded compounds
- sulfidesCompounds with element sixteen
- carbonatesDissolves CO2 into liquid
phosphates · halides · sulfates · hydroxides · borates · species · varieties · polymorphs · isomorphism · nomenclature
- earth scientistsgeologists, geophysicists, geochemists, geoscientists, seismologists
- Mars mission jobsmission planners, astrobiologists, orbital mechanics
- mining workersminers, coal miners, gold miners, diamond miners, mine workers
mineralogistsbiologists
Scientists studying living things
botanists · zoologists · microbiologists · ecologists · marine biologists
mineralogistsmeteorologists
Atmospheric science professionals
oceanographers · climatologists · hydrologists · paleontologists · volcanologists
mineralogistsindustrial designers
Creators of manufactured object forms