Minerals
Minerals are natural compounds formed through geological processes. A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. A rock is an aggregate of one or more minerals. Erals range in composition from pure elements and simple salts to very complex silicates with thousands of known forms. The study of minerals is called mineralogy. Chemistry and crystal structure define together a mineral. In fact, two or more minerals may have the same chemical composition, but differ in crystal structure.
Structure
Crystal structure greatly influences a mineral’s physical properties. There are currently just over 4,000 known minerals. Some minerals in rock form with a particularly attractive and unusual appearance are cut and polished and set in precious metals as jewellery. These fine gems are categorized as precious or semi-precious stones. The most sought after and treasured of these is the diamond. With a score of 10 on the Mohs scale, it is the hardest known mineral. Roughly half of the world’s diamonds are mined in Central and Southern Africa.
Uncover pictures of minerals in their finest! In photography, minerals are one of the most picture-perfect subjects. They are made of crystalline structures that are developed from a naturally occurring chemical compound. There are thousands of kinds of minerals with unique compositions. These compositions come in different forms and range from pure elements, simple sales, or complex silicates. A mineral is primarily defined by its crystal structure and chemistry. There are even some that have a different crystal structure with the same chemical composition. The physical property of a mineral which includes the spatial compact of its atoms as well as ions, and molecules is called Crystal structures. Most of the minerals that have already been discovered come in unique and delicate forms. Minerals are even categorized as either precious or semi-precious stones depending on its availability or rarity. The most popular stone is the Diamond. It’s known not only for its beauty but also for its solidity and rigidity.
There are hundreds of other minerals that are just as beautiful as the diamond. Here are a few:
BISMUTH – Bismuth is commonly identified only as the 83rd element in the Periodic Table of Elements. What you might not be familiar with is how it actually looks. It has the metallic form of arsenic and antimony with a hint of pink and blue. Generally, it looks like a staircase made of a metallic rainbow. Furthermore, it may have a metallic look but it is definitely magnet-resistant.
TITANIUM QUARTZ -This crystal structure is most famous for its beauty. Its breathtaking iridescent color makes it ideal to use as an accessory. This mineral looks much prettier up close rather than afar. On the photograph, it will reflect a classy and refined structure like you’ve never seen before.
FLOURITE – This is the mineral form of Calcium Flouride that crystallizes into an isometric cube. Although complex forms are not uncommon, we normally see it in cubic form. This mineral has a hard exterior and can easily be identified as it glows when exposed to ultra-violet light. Thus, this element can be photographed strikingly in either bright or dim light.
AZURITE – This is one of the minerals that are known for its deep and attractive blue color. It’s named Azurite because of its beautiful and head-turning blue appearance. Regarded as one of the finest masterpieces in nature, one can take spectacular photos with this mineral.
CROCOITE -This mineral was first found in Europe in small crystals. The mineral is known for its aesthetic and stunning deep red-orange color. Accordingly, it was the Tasmanians who discovered a wide abundance of this Crocoite. Additionally, its crystals are prismatic and drawn-out. Under your camera lenses, it will look like a fiery ball of fire.
There are thousands of other minerals that are extremely gorgeous. Some are most common to you like birthstones and gems. Some are elegant and refined while others look wild but impresses a sense of adventure. A mineral can charm anyone in a lot of ways.
CHARMED WITH A PHOTOGRAPH
A mineral’s charm is calming yet mysterious. Taking a photo of it can be quite a challenge though. Most minerals deflect light which would make it difficult to capture all of its details.
A mineral’s charm is outstanding in person so you would want to translate that into your photos for sharing. Below are a few tricks on handling a photoshoot with minerals.
REPRESENTATION – How do you want the stone to look like? Which parts do you intend to highlight? Are you aiming to highlight its structure, color, and intensity? You will need to consider how to accurately represent the mineral especially if you want to display its most magnificent points.
FOCUS AND ANGLE – In shooting minerals, the focus and angling are of utmost importance. This defines the clarity of the mineral’s structure and features. The camera needs to be extremely steady and the focus fixed. You’d also have to decide on the positioning of your mineral and its backdrop. Insist on a dark backdrop for lighter-colored minerals or white backdrop for metallic-looking ones. It is essential that the backdrop aids in fully featuring the specimen.
REFLECTION AND LIGHTING – It’s imperative to first determine your lighting when shooting minerals. As mentioned previously, some deflect light and some reflect images. It might be best to use light diffusers to avoid black-outs and burn-outs of the shots. Also, there are a lot of minerals that are very reflective. Ensure that you have a good balance in lighting so you don’t show up in the picture you’re taking.
There are a lot of different things to consider when taking a picture of your mineral specimen. These depend highly on the mineral you chose. However difficult it is to take those pictures, though – it’s worth it. The satisfaction you get from reviewing and posting those photos will definitely make up for your troubles. If you want to continually be enchanted with photos of minerals, feel free to click here.