Explore the fundamental concepts of mineral structures in this comprehensive 30-minute video lecture. Delve into crystal structures, coordination numbers, and various types of coordination polyhedra. Learn about Pauling's rules and their impact on crystal formation, including the electrostatic valency principle and the principle of parsimony. Examine different types of chemical bonds in minerals, such as covalent, ionic, metallic, and van der Waals bonds, with examples of minerals exhibiting each type. Discover how atomic radius influences coordination numbers and overall mineral structure. Investigate silicate structures, including chains, sheets, and frameworks, and their relationship to mineral properties. Gain insights into atomic substitution and solid solution in mineral structures. Practice identifying coordination numbers and polyhedra, and enjoy a brief preview of upcoming content along with some lighthearted bloopers at the end.