<p>Yes, it is called X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is done by machines that look like this:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/01kRn.jpg" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/01kRn.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

<p>I'm not sure this is in the scope of your electronic engineering project.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-30T09:34:48.270Z
I am using a credit card sized development board and i need to do it sensors like these(geiger counter,rain sensor,moisture sensor etc): https://www.adafruit.com/category/35                     What is the most effective way to make a mineral identifier with these sensors ? And what other basic techniques can be used to identify minerals?
TechDinoKing
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-30T11:45:45.647Z
Michael is correct. If you want identification of all minerals, i.e. all crystalline substances, then XRD is what you need. It would be nice if there was some cheap, pocket sized gizmo to do this, but there just isn't.
Gordon Stanger
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-30T11:46:56.543Z
@TechDinoKing none of the sensors listed on that site are useful for mineral identification.
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-30T12:13:46.790Z
@Michael Not those sensors. Those were examples of the size of the sensors i can use. So what sensors can i use for mineral identification ?
TechDinoKing
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-30T19:35:32.147Z
None. If it was that easy someone would have made it long ago. You can have sensor that may give you hints, such as colour (not really helpful), magnetism (useful in some isolated cases), density (actually useful, but not sure such a sensor exists). That's why machines like XRD are there - to actually do it properly.
Gimelist
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-12-11T10:33:28.010Z
The closest you'll get to a portable device that can help you identify  minerals is probably: `Portable Infrared Mineral Analyser (PIMA)`
nmtoken
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-05T03:14:31.097Z
There are field-portable powder x-ray diffraction systems available now. Not lab quality but may be useful. However, application appears to be beyond the scope of the original question
haresfur
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-29T21:34:11.957Z
2016-11-29T21:34:11.957Z
Gimelist
<p>Are there any mineral identification techniques that work for all minerals(non-metallic/metallic), so that an electronic device could be made to distinguish between all minerals?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-29T16:42:49.427Z
Could you clarify what you are asking?
arkaia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-11-29T16:52:11.753Z
@aretxabaleta I want to make a electronic engineering project with my development board which identifies minerals, and different types of minerals are identified in different ways. Is there a mineral identification technique that works for all mineral ?
TechDinoKing
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-04T03:06:16.597Z
Terraspec Halo Mineral Identifier uses a spectrometer. Used by mining geologists.
Tom
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-05T03:12:22.167Z
I think you are being overly-ambitious. I suggest you find a technique and sensor that can help you identify one mineral or help you distinguish between two similar minerals. What sensors to you have to work with?
haresfur
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-07-05T03:22:12.357Z
Do you have access to a high-temperature furnace or could you build one? In that case you could use a combination of thermocouples inside and outside a sample to do differential thermal analysis to distinguish between clay minerals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_thermal_analysis
haresfur
<geology><mineralogy><minerals>
Is there any mineral identification techniques that works for all minerals?
TechDinoKing
# Is there any mineral identification techniques that works for all minerals?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-11-29)

Are there any mineral identification techniques that work for all minerals(non-metallic/metallic), so that an electronic device could be made to distinguish between all minerals?

**Tags:** geology, mineralogy, minerals

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Could you clarify what you are asking?  
> **username_0**: @aretxabaleta I want to make a electronic engineering project with my development board which identifies minerals, and different types of minerals are identified in different ways. Is there a mineral identification technique that works for all mineral ?  
> **username_2**: Terraspec Halo Mineral Identifier uses a spectrometer. Used by mining geologists.  
> **username_3**: I think you are being overly-ambitious. I suggest you find a technique and sensor that can help you identify one mineral or help you distinguish between two similar minerals. What sensors to you have to work with?  
> **username_3**: Do you have access to a high-temperature furnace or could you build one? In that case you could use a combination of thermocouples inside and outside a sample to do differential thermal analysis to distinguish between clay minerals. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Differential_thermal_analysis  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_4 on 2016-11-29. Score: 4

Yes, it is called X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is done by machines that look like this:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/01kRn.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/01kRn.jpg)

I'm not sure this is in the scope of your electronic engineering project.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I am using a credit card sized development board and i need to do it sensors like these(geiger counter,rain sensor,moisture sensor etc): https://www.adafruit.com/category/35                     What is the most effective way to make a mineral identifier with these sensors ? And what other basic techniques can be used to identify minerals?  
> **username_5**: Michael is correct. If you want identification of all minerals, i.e. all crystalline substances, then XRD is what you need. It would be nice if there was some cheap, pocket sized gizmo to do this, but there just isn't.  
> **username_4**: @username_0 none of the sensors listed on that site are useful for mineral identification.  
> **username_0**: @Michael Not those sensors. Those were examples of the size of the sensors i can use. So what sensors can i use for mineral identification ?  
> **username_4**: None. If it was that easy someone would have made it long ago. You can have sensor that may give you hints, such as colour (not really helpful), magnetism (useful in some isolated cases), density (actually useful, but not sure such a sensor exists). That's why machines like XRD are there - to actually do it properly.  
> **username_6**: The closest you'll get to a portable device that can help you identify  minerals is probably: `Portable Infrared Mineral Analyser (PIMA)`  
> **username_3**: There are field-portable powder x-ray diffraction systems available now. Not lab quality but may be useful. However, application appears to be beyond the scope of the original question  

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