Identifying Minerals

Stuff youll want to know to master the mineral identification lab!

Minerals have certain physical properties that can be used to identify them!

Color
The color of a mineral is an easily observed physical property. Only a few minerals have a single characteristic color. Many minerals come in a variety of colors.

Name two reasons why color alone is not a reliable way to identify minerals:
1. Many minerals can come in more than one color, which can be confusing.

2. The color of some minerals can change due to temperature, exposure to air or water, pollution, etc.

LUSTER
The luster of a mineral describes the way a mineral reflects light. There are two terms to describe luster: METALLIC: looks and seems like its metal (may be shiny OR not). NONMETALLIC: does NOT look or appear to be a metal.

HARDNESS
Definition: the ability of a mineral to resist being scratched. Hardness is related to atomic structure and bond strength. Harder minerals will scratch softer ones.

Mohs scale of hardness

1. Talc 2. Gypsum 3. Calcite 4. Fluorite 5. Apatite 6. Feldspar 7. Quartz 8. Topaz 9. Corundum 10. Diamond

STREAK
The color of the powder left by a mineral when it is rubbed on an unglazed porcelain plate.

Cleavage/Fracture: the way a mineral breaks.

Cleavage: When a mineral breaks with smooth surfaces. Fracture: When a mineral breaks unevenly.

CRYSTAL SHAPE
Most minerals form crystals that have a definite crystal shape:

DENSITY: the amount of matter per unit volume.

Geologists use the term specific gravity to describe density. Specific gravity is the comparison of the density of a mineral to the density of water. The density of water is 1gram/ml.

Other properties
Magnetism: some minerals, such as magnetite, are attracted to a magnet. Odor: some minerals have a distinct odor. For example, minerals with sulfur in the chemical formula give off a rotten egg odor when scratched

Other Properties
Feel: some minerals, such as talc, have a soapy or greasy feel when rubbed with your fingers. Taste: its a diagnostic property for a few minerals. For example, halite has a salty taste.

Other properties
Reaction to hydrochloric (HCl) acid: some minerals will effervesce (fizz) when in contact with dilute HCl.

THE END