Editing Mineralogy (section)

==Chemical elements==
{{See also|analytical chemistry}}
[[File:Portable Micro-X-ray fluorescence machine.jpg|thumb|upright|Portable Micro-X-ray fluorescence machine]]
A few minerals are [[chemical element]]s, including [[sulfur]], [[copper]], [[silver]], and [[gold]], but the vast majority are [[Chemical compound|compounds]]. The classical method for identifying composition is ''[[Wet chemistry|wet chemical analysis]]'', which involves dissolving a mineral in an acid such as [[hydrochloric acid]] (HCl). The elements in solution are then identified using [[Colorimetry (chemical method)|colorimetry]], [[Titration|volumetric analysis]] or [[gravimetric analysis]].<ref name=Manual/>{{rp|224&ndash;225}}

Since 1960, most chemistry analysis is done using instruments. One of these, [[atomic absorption spectroscopy]], is similar to wet chemistry in that the sample must still be dissolved, but it is much faster and cheaper. The solution is vaporized and its absorption spectrum is measured in the visible and ultraviolet range.<ref name=Manual/>{{rp|225&ndash;226}} Other techniques are [[X-ray fluorescence]], [[electron microprobe]] analysis [[atom probe]] tomography and [[Atomic emission spectroscopy|optical emission spectrography]].<ref name=Manual/>{{rp|227&ndash;232}}