Process of Formation of Minerals

• Crystallization from magma


  Molten rock cools down, causing atoms to arrange into orderly patterns, forming crystals
• Minerals that form in crystallization from magma Igneous minerals
• Precipitation


  Dissolved ions in a solution come together to form solid mineral crystals
• Minerals that form in precipitation Sedimentary minerals
• Pressure and temperature (metamorphism)


  Formation of new minerals directly from the elements within existing minerals under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure
• Minerals that form in pressure and tempersture Metamorphic minerals
• Hydrothermal solutions


  Hot mixture of water and dissolved substances
• Minerals that form in hydrothermal solutions Hydrothermal minerals
• Other ways for mineral formation

  • Weathering
  • Organic formation
  • Opal