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 was 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. James A. Ferraiolo was responsible for it at Mindat.org. The IMA/CNMNC supports the Nickel–Strunz database.

Classifications

;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. elements
  2. sulfides and sulfosalts
  3. halides
  4. oxides, and arsenites
  5. carbonates and nitrates
  6. borates
  7. sulfates, s, s and s
  8. phosphates, arsenates and
  9. silicates
;IMA/CNMNC mineral classes
IMA/CNMNC proposes a new hierarchical scheme, using the Nickel–Strunz classes this gives: