Dana's classification[1][2] is a mineral classification developed byJames Dwight Dana. It is based on thechemical composition and structure of minerals. It is mainly used in English-speaking countries, especially in the United States.
The mineral classification used by the International Mineralogical Association is theNickel-Strunz classification.[3][4]
The classification of minerals was based on chemical composition by Dana in the fourth edition (1854, in two volumes) of his book System of Mineralogy.[5][6] For the 20th century, this classification was completed thanks to scientific progress, particularly in the field ofcrystallography. In 1941,Karl Hugo Strunz used it to construct his classification. Dana's original classification was further developed, and a new classification was published in 1997.[7]
Minerals are arranged in a hierarchical system. Each mineral has a classification number, made up of four numbers separated by dots, enabling unambiguous identification even when minerals are known by several names (synonymy). The first number represents the mineral class. The second number represents the mineral type, in some cases taking into account its atomic structure. The third number represents a group of minerals of similar structure. The fourth number gives the unambiguous identification of the mineral.[8][9]
| Elements | Chemical element |
| Sulfides and sulfosalts | |
| Oxides and hydroxides |
|
| Halides |
|
| Carbonates, nitrates and borates |
|
| Sulfates, chromates and molybdates |
|
| Phosphates, arsenates and vanadates |
|
| Organic minerals | |
| Silicates and germanates | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
|
| Overview |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Common minerals | ||
| Related | ||
| "Special cases" ("native elements and organic minerals") |
|
|---|---|
| "Sulfides and oxides" |
|
| "Evaporites and similars" |
|
| "Mineral structures with tetrahedral units" (sulfate anion, phosphate anion, silicon, etc.) |
|
