Nickel–Strunz classification


Nickel–Strunz classification is a scheme for categorizing minerals based upon their chemical composition, introduced by German mineralogist Karl Hugo Strunz in his Mineralogische Tabellen. The 4th and the 5th edition were also edited by Christel Tennyson. It was followed by A.S. Povarennykh with a modified classification.
As curator of the Mineralogical Museum of Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität, Strunz had been tasked with sorting the museum's geological collection according to crystal-chemical properties. His book Mineralogical Tables, has been through a number of modifications; the most recent edition, published in 2001, is the ninth. The IMA/CNMNC supports the Nickel–Strunz database.

Nickel–Strunz code scheme

The Nickel–Strunz code scheme is NN.XY.##x, where:
  • NN: Nickel–Strunz mineral class number
  • X: Nickel–Strunz mineral division letter
  • Y: Nickel–Strunz mineral family letter
  • ##x: Nickel–Strunz mineral/group number; x an add-on letter

    Nickel–Strunz mineral classes

The current scheme divides minerals into ten classes, which are further divided into divisions, families and groups according to chemical composition and crystal structure.
  1. element mineral|element]s
  2. sulfides and sulfosalts
  3. halides
  4. oxides, hydroxides and arsenites
  5. carbonates and nitrates
  6. borates
  7. sulfates, chromates, molybdates and tungstates
  8. phosphates, arsenates and vanadates
  9. silicates
  10. organic compounds

    IMA/CNMNC mineral classes

IMA/CNMNC proposes a new hierarchical scheme, using the Nickel–Strunz classes this gives: