Welcome! Mindat.org has an enormous resource of educational articles and other content, and whether you're a beginner or an expert we have all the information you need. These have been divided into three sections:

Introductory Articles

These articles are suitable for everyone wanting to learn about rocks and minerals.

What is a Mineral?

Determining the Hardness of a Mineral

Determining Color and Streak

Determining Lustre

Determining Fracture and Cleavage

Determining the Specific Gravity of a Mineral

The Most Common Minerals on Earth

The Rocks and Minerals of Minecraft

Must-have Rockhounding Gear (video)

Intermediate Articles

These articles take some of the concepts further and explain more complex areas of mineralogy and earth sciences, you should understand the basic concepts explained in the introductory section before tackling these.

Crystallography: The Isometric System

Crystallography: The Hexagonal System

Crystallography: The Trigonal System

Crystallography: The Orthorhombic System

Crystallography: The Monoclinic System

Crystallography: The Tetragonal System

Crystallography: The Triclinic System

Miller Indices

Hermann-Mauguin Symmetry Symbols

Determining the Symmetry of Crystals

Advanced Articles

For the most experienced, or adventurous, student, these articles cover very advanced aspects of mineralogy and associated sciences.

Mineral Evolution

Further Information for Educators

More information for educators