How many different minerals exist?
There are between 2,500 and 3,000 known mineral species. New minerals continue to be discovered at a slow rate, and some existent minerals are periodically discredited—typically they are found to be identical to a previously described mineral. The vast majority of minerals are very rare and are of little more than scientific interest. An average amateur mineral collector might encounter no more than 200 distinct mineral species in their lifetime. A serious amateur mineralogist might be able to amass a collection of about 600 mineral species. The interest of many amateur mineral collectors involves collecting specimens from different geographic localities or minerals possessing various “habits” or forms.
