The study of minerals encompasses a wide range of topics, including mineralogy, crystallography, petrology, geochemistry, and mineral physics. Mineralogists study the crystal structure, composition, and properties of minerals, and classify them based on their chemical and physical characteristics.

Crystallographers use X-ray and spectroscopic techniques to determine the crystal structure of minerals, which provides insight into their 3D arrangement of atoms and their symmetry properties.

Petrologists study the origin, composition, and evolution of rocks, which are composed of minerals. They use mineralogical and geochemical data to reconstruct the geological history of geological units.

Geochemists investigate the distribution and behavior of chemical elements in minerals, rocks, soils, oceans, and the atmosphere. They use various analytical techniques, including mass spectrometry, to trace the movement and transformation of elements in Earth’s systems.

Minerals have numerous applications in various fields of science and industry. For example, metallic minerals such as copper, gold, and iron are used in the production of consumer products, such as electronics, jewelry, and automobiles. Other minerals such as graphite, quartz, and feldspar are used in the production of industrial materials such as pencils, glass, and ceramics.