Mineralogy is the systematic study that deals with the characteristics of minerals.

The mineralogy has

more scientific branches such as the following:

1.

Crystallography studies crystal forms, i.e. forms in which the minerals crystallize, as well as their internal
structure, relations and distribution of atoms, ions or ionic groups in the crystal lattice

2.

Physical mineralogy is the study of physical properties of minerals, such as cohesion (hardness, cleavage,
elasticity, and density; refer Table 1.1), optical, thermal and magnetic properties, electrical conductivity,
and radioactivity, and so on.

3.

Chemical mineralogy is the study of chemical formula (Table 1.1) and chemical properties of the
minerals.

4.

Environmental mineralogy studies complex and very different conditions of the origin of minerals,
understand element behavior in echo-systems, natural and industrial effects of minerals, and mitigates
potential contamination problems.

5.

Descriptive mineralogy deals with the classification of minerals into groups based on their common
properties, mostly chemical and structural properties.