Ions coalesce into a regular repeating arrangement. As the process continues, the cubes of salt become bigger and bigger until eventually there is no more water and all the salt has precipitated. As soon as all the salt cubes have formed, your salt is completely crystallized . Mineral Classes One way to classify minerals is by the dominant compounds which make them up. The silicates are the most abundant mineral type in the crust.
Calcite is calcium carbonate.
Oxides Made of oxygen combined with other elements like iron, titanium, etc. Many economically important metals are mined as oxide ores. Sulfides Made of sulfur combined with other elements like copper, iron, zinc, etc. Many economically important metals are mined as sulfide deposits. Gypsum is a common sulfate which can be found all over the ground in various parts of the Anza-Borrego Desert east of San Diego.