Mineral and Human Being
Life and Mineral
We live our lives and unconsciously use objects or materials that are made of minerals. Minerals are used in every-day products such as baby powder for children, cosmetics for women, pharmaceuticals, and papers.
Industry and Mineral
Various minerals are used as raw materials in metal, chemical, plastic, cement, glass, and energy industries, civil engineering, agriculture, ceramics, water quality, housing, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
Natural gold and gold necklace
Talc and baby powder
Kaolinite and porcelain
Quartz and quartz clock
Gems and Gem Minerals
Gem minerals are cut and polished to be used as ornaments. Gems require beauty, rarity, durability, popularity and portability. Among these, beauty and durability are the most important factors. Diamond, emerald, ruby and sapphire are the most coveted gems that meet these requirements. The representative gem minerals in Korea are amethyst and nephrite.
Most gems are minerals but some, like pearl or coral, are not minerals. Recently, synthetic gems are widely used. Diamond has been the most coveted gem through history. In the late seventeenth century, the brilliant cutting method was developed in Italy. After that, diamond held its status more firmly. The value of diamond depends on color, clarity, cut and carat weight.
1. Ruby
2. Turquoise
3. Amethyst
4. Citrine
5. Malachite
6. Smoky Quartz
