Difference between Metallic and Non-metallic Minerals: What’s the Difference?

Main Difference

Metallic minerals are the ones that have metal as the main constituent within them and have a surface which is hard. On the other hand, Non-metallic minerals are the ones that do not have any metals within the composition and a softer surface.

Comparison Chart

Metallic Minerals

They are more commonly found in the European regions as the area becomes one of the leading producers. At the same time, most of these minerals come from other parts of the world, especially the ones that have more usage. Only a few countries in the world have active mines from where raw material comes but have made up with the introduction of synthetic materials. These kinds of minerals have high melting and boiling point along with the active presence of another metallic luster. It also has a higher specific gravity than other substances. Some of the main kinds of metallic minerals include Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), a copper press sulfide, is the most across the board copper mineral, and a standout amongst the most important wellsprings of that metal. Gold (Au) is a valuable metal utilized as a part of adornments. It has numerous mechanical and medicinal applications. The photograph on the left contains an example of gold in quartz vein is from an obscure area in Newfoundland. This specimen is possessed by the Provincial Museum. Hematite (Fe2O3) is an iron oxide, and it is the most vital and generally utilized source mineral for iron. Great quality examples are likewise used as a semi-valuable gemstone, Alaska Black Diamond. The photo demonstrates micaceous hematite from Wabush, Labrador. It is from the MUN Collection, 0241.

Non metallic Minerals

Such types of metals usually have their presence as igneous rocks or sedimentary stones and have a hard and shiny structure of their own due to the presence within the system. These are called common minerals since they are utilized as a part of the making of a wide range of items. For instance, glass is produced using sand, silica, and limestone. Each kind of mineral has a utilization for modern means, for example, scraped area, ability to maintain the shape and resilience, that makes it fundamental in industry. Non-metallic mineral usually come from earth and other minerals such as; synthetic minerals; salt mines; mines of quartz, gypsum, natural diamond stones and rest of non-metallic minerals other than coal and oil. The nonmetallic minerals do not have the properties of the metallic minerals, for example, surface structure, hardness, thickness, and high conduction of heat and power. They are not recyclable because they cannot be reshaped substantially or repurposed. An exception is a concrete since cement is regularly utilized from a blend of non-metallic minerals that have been pulverized or ground into little, fine pieces. They have lower melting and boiling points as compared to metallic minerals and therefore used for simple to complex applications.

Key Differences

• The structure of metallic minerals is such as that they have a shiny surface and at the same time has a harder tinge on them. On the other hand, the structure of non-metallic minerals does not have any shine and have a structure that may become rigid but not that hard.
• Metallic minerals mostly are found in igneous rocks, on the other hand, non-metallic minerals mostly are found in sedimentary rocks.
• Some of the main kinds of metallic minerals include Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2), a copper press sulfide, Gold, Hematite (Fe2O3) which is an iron oxide. On the other hand, non-metallic minerals mostly include carbon, precious stone, fuels, bitumen, black-top, boron, sulfur, shake salt, etc.
• Metallic minerals have a flexible nature and therefore have a high melting and boiling point along with the temperatures, on the other hand, Non-Metallic minerals are less malleable in nature and have lower melting and boiling points.
• Metallic minerals become useful for higher industrial purposes that require a lot of power, on the other hand, non-metallic minerals required for smaller level industrial uses and takes less power.

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