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Building a house ...

Minerals used to make cement
Calcite Different minerals make up cement. Limestone (containing the mineral calcite) and clay make up a lot of the bulk. Gypsum helps it to harden.

Together they make cement:

Easy to shape when wet
Quick to set (or harden)
Strong and rigid when set
Impermeable when set

Gypsum Illite
Calcite (top right), gypsum and illite are used to make cement

Learn more about the minerals we use in building

Find out about the minerals we use every day...
Krystal the quartz
Building a house
In the kitchen
Around the home
Transport and technology
Neat and tidy
Health and medicine

Finish by playing Mineral mix and match! or return to the Homepage