The Most Popular Mineral, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the mineral you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:43
Minerals, each distinct in its form and function, play a crucial role in various industries and applications around the world, from technology to construction. Knowing the popularity and usefulness of each mineral can significantly impact economic and strategic decisions. Therefore, understanding which minerals are deemed most valuable by the public provides insight that could guide consumer behavior and industrial planning.
This online space enables individuals to cast their vote on which minerals they believe are superior, contributing to a constantly updated ranking based on collective opinions. By participating, users not only contribute to a broader understanding of mineral preferences but also influence the list which, in turn, could affect market trends and resource allocation in fields reliant on these minerals.
What Is the Most Popular Mineral?
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143votesQuartz is the most common mineral in the Earth's crust and is widely used in the production of glass, electronics, and jewelry. It is also used in watches and clocks due to its ability to vibrate at a precise frequency.Quartz is a mineral composed of silicon and oxygen atoms arranged in a continuous framework of tetrahedra. It has a hexagonal crystal structure and is one of the most abundant minerals in the Earth's crust. Quartz is known for its wide variety of vibrant colors and beautiful crystal formations, making it highly sought after in the world of gemstones.
- Chemical Formula: SiO2
- Hardness: 7 on the Mohs scale
- Crystal System: Hexagonal
- Transparency: Transparent to translucent
- Luster: Vitreous
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219votesFeldspar is a group of minerals that are essential components of many rocks and are widely used in the ceramics, glass, and construction industries.Feldspar is a group of rock-forming minerals that make up about 41% of the Earth's continental crust. It is one of the most abundant minerals in the world and has a wide variety of uses in various industries.
- Chemical Formula: Al2O3·SiO2·Na2O·K2O
- Hardness: 6 - 6.5 (Mohs scale)
- Color: Can be found in various colors, including white, pink, brown, gray, and green
- Luster: Vitreous, pearly on cleavage surfaces
- Crystal System: Triclinic or monoclinic
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315votesCalcite is a mineral that is widely used in construction and as a raw material in the production of cement, lime, and other industrial chemicals.Calcite is a widely recognized mineral that belongs to the carbonate mineral group. It has a chemical composition of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and occurs in a variety of forms, including rhombohedral, scalenohedral, and prismatic crystals. Calcite is usually colorless or white but can also appear in different colors due to impurities. It has a hardness of 3 on the Mohs scale and is known for its characteristic double refraction.
- Chemical Formula: CaCO3
- Crystal System: Trigonal
- Color: Colorless, white, various impurity colors
- Hardness: 3 on the Mohs scale
- Luster: Vitreous to pearly
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417votesMica is a group of minerals that are widely used in the electronics and electrical industries due to their excellent insulating properties.Mica is a mineral that belongs to the silicate group. It is characterized by its unique flaky structure and excellent thermal and electrical insulation properties. Mica minerals are commonly found in various rocks, such as granite and metamorphic rocks.
- Transparency: Transparent to translucent
- Luster: Vitreous to pearly
- Cleavage: Perfect in one direction
- Specific Gravity: 2.7-3.4
- Chemical Formula: Varied, usually a group of potassium aluminum silicates
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57votesTalc is a soft mineral that is widely used as a lubricant and in the production of cosmetics, ceramics, and paint.Talc is a naturally occurring mineral that is widely recognized for its softness and smoothness. It is a hydrated magnesium silicate mineral with the chemical formula Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂. Talc is known for its pearly luster and greasy feel. It is often found in metamorphic rocks and is commonly associated with soapstone.
- Chemical Formula: Mg₃Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂
- Hardness: 1 (Mohs scale)
- Color: White, gray, green, brown
- Luster: Pearly
- Streak: White
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616votesHalite, or rock salt, is a mineral that is commonly used as a seasoning and a de-icing agent on roads and walkways.Halite is a naturally occurring mineral that is commonly known as rock salt. It is a crystalline mineral composed primarily of sodium chloride (NaCl). Halite is typically colorless or white, with transparent to translucent crystals that are cubic in shape. It has a salty taste and is often found in sedimentary rocks.
- Chemical Formula: NaCl
- Crystal System: Cubic
- Hardness: 2.5
- Luster: Vitreous
- Transparency: Transparent to Translucent
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79votesMagnetite is a mineral that is widely used in the production of steel and as a raw material in the production of magnets.Magnetite is a naturally occurring mineral and is known for being one of the most magnetic minerals found on Earth. It is a black or brownish-black metallic mineral with a chemical formula of Fe3O4.
- Color: Black or brownish-black
- Chemical Formula: Fe3O4
- Crystal System: Isometric
- Density: 5.18 g/cm3
- Hardness: 5.5-6.5 (Mohs scale)
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83votesBauxite is a mineral that is the primary source of aluminum and is widely used in the production of aluminum products.Bauxite is a sedimentary rock that is the primary ore of aluminum. It is formed through weathering and laterization of various aluminum-bearing rocks, such as anorthosite, gabbro, and shale. Bauxite typically consists of a mixture of aluminum hydroxides, minerals such as gibbsite, boehmite, and diaspore, and various impurities.
- Chemical Formula: Al₂O₃·nH₂O (Hydrated aluminum oxide)
- Hardness: 1-3 on Mohs scale
- Color: Pale to dark brown, reddish-brown, or white
- Luster: Dull to earthy
- Streak: White
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94votesGypsum is a mineral that is widely used in the construction industry as a building material and in the production of plaster, drywall, and other building products.Gypsum is a soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate. It is widely used as a building material and can be found in sedimentary rocks. Gypsum has a white, gray, or colorless translucent appearance and typically occurs in crystal form. The name 'gypsum' is derived from the Greek word 'gypsos', meaning plaster.
- Chemical Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
- Crystal System: Monoclinic
- Hardness: 2 on the Mohs scale
- Density: 2.31 g/cm³
- Cleavage: Perfect on {010} and {100}
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101votesPyrite is a mineral that is commonly known as fool's gold due to its metallic luster and yellow color. It is widely used in the production of sulfuric acid and as a raw material in the production of iron and steel.Pyrite, also known as fool's gold, is a brassy yellow mineral with a metallic luster. It has a cubic crystal system and a Mohs hardness of 6-6.5. Pyrite is composed of iron disulfide (FeS2) and is commonly found in sedimentary rocks, metamorphic rocks, and hydrothermal veins. It was first described by German naturalist Georgius Agricola in 1549.
- Chemical Formula: FeS2
- Color: Brassy yellow
- Luster: Metallic
- Crystal System: Cubic
- Hardness (Mohs): 6-6.5
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Ranking factors for popular mineral
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AbundanceThe overall amount of the mineral present on Earth, as well as its distribution across different regions. A popular mineral is usually one that is commonly found and easily accessible.
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Economic valueMinerals that have significant economic value, such as those used in the manufacturing industry, construction, or in the production of jewelry, tend to be more popular.
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Uses and applicationsMinerals with a wide range of uses and applications across various industries will generally be more popular.
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Aesthetic appealThe color, crystal structure, and overall appearance of a mineral can contribute to its popularity, particularly among collectors and those who use minerals for decorative purposes.
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RarityWhile abundance is a key factor, some minerals are popular due to their rarity, making them valuable and sought after by collectors and enthusiasts.
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Cultural or historical significanceSome minerals may be more popular due to cultural or historical associations, such as those used in traditional medicine or as part of spiritual practices.
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Research interestMinerals that are of scientific interest, such as those with unique chemical compositions or other properties, may be more popular among researchers and academics.
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Public awareness and educationMinerals that are well-known and widely taught in schools or featured in popular media will generally be more popular among the general public.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular mineral. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or mineral is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1377 views
- 134 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each mineral once every 24 hours. The rank of each mineral is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular mineral
Minerals are naturally occurring substances that are found in rocks, soils, and the Earth's crust. They are composed of chemical elements and have a distinct crystal structure. There are over 5,000 known minerals, each with its own unique set of properties and characteristics. Some of the most common minerals include quartz, feldspar, mica, and talc.
The popularity of minerals can vary depending on a variety of factors, including their aesthetic appeal, rarity, and practical uses. For example, diamonds are one of the most popular minerals due to their beauty and value, while minerals such as iron and copper are essential for industrial and technological purposes.
Determining the most popular mineral can be subjective and dependent on individual interests and preferences. However, through polls and rankings on StrawPoll, we can gain insight into the opinions and preferences of a diverse community of users. So, let's find out which mineral is the most popular!
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