Pyrite

Pyrite is the most common sulfide found in many environments. It is a common accessory mineral in igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. It also is abundant in most hydrothermal deposits. Only the most significant occurrences …

Quartz

Formula: SiO2 Hexagonal Description: Quartz is the most abundant mineral. It is an essential component of granitic igneous rocks, of sedimentary rocks such as sandstone and chert and of metamorphic rocks such as quartzites. It is a …

Serpentine

Formula: Mg3Si2O5(OH)4 Monoclinic, orthorhombic, hexagonal Description: Serpentine is a family of polymorphs that include the flaky to platy antigorite, massive lizardite and fibrous clinochrysotile, orthochrysotile and parachrysotile. The polymorphs are often intimately intergrown in a particular rocks, …

Stilbite

Formula: NaCa4[Al9Si27O72].nH2O Monoclinic Description: Stilbite is a member of the zeolite family. It often forms vein and amygdule fillings in basaltic igneous rocks. ASHLAND COUNTY: Brownish plates of stilbite about 1 cm. in diameter are found in …

Zircon

Formula: ZrSiO4 Tetragonal Description: Zircon in tabular crystal from the Nine Mile Pluton near Wausau in Marathon County, Wisconsin. Scanning electron microscope image. (Photo by Al Falster.) Zircon is a common accessory mineral found in many different …