Changes

A large class of [[minerals]] includes [[compounds]] of [[metallic]] [[elements]] with the '''[[phosphate]]''', '''[[arsenate]]''', and the '''[[vanadate]]''' radicals. Several members of this class, including [[apatite]] and [[monazite]], are [[primary minerals]], but most are [[secondary minerals|secondary]] and are formed through alteration of metallic-ore minerals, such as [[sulfides]] of [[copper]], [[iron]], [[lead]], and [[zinc]]. In general, most of these minerals are soft and [[brittle]], and often occur in small inconspicuous masses or [[crystals]]. Many are brightly colored and yield very colorful [[specimens]]. Chesterman, p. 471

A large class of [[minerals]] includes [[compounds]] of [[metallic]] [[elements]] with the '''[[phosphate]]''' ([[phosphorus|P]][[oxygen|O]]₄^3-), '''[[arsenate]]''' ([[arsenic|As]][[oxygen|O]]₄^3-), and the '''[[vanadate]]''' ([[vanadium|V]][[oxygen|O]]₄^3-).  radicals. Several members of this class, including [[apatite]] and [[monazite]], are [[primary mineral]]s, but most are [[secondary mineral|secondary]] and are formed through alteration of metallic-ore minerals, such as [[sulfide]]s of [[copper]], [[iron]], [[lead]], and [[zinc]]. In general, most of these minerals are soft and [[brittle]], and often occur in small inconspicuous masses or [[crystals]]. Many are brightly colored and yield very colorful [[specimens]].  

=Sources=

==Sources==

*Chesterman, Charles W. ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf: New York (1987)

*Chesterman, Charles W. ''The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals'', Alfred A. Knopf: New York (1987), ''p. 471''

[[category:geology]]

[[category:Mineralogy]]