Describe in as much detail the mineral on your

table!!!

Characteristics of a Mineral1. It occurs naturally2. It is a solid3. It has a definite chemical structure4. Its atoms are arranged in an orderly

pattern5. It is inorganic (was never alive)

Mineral Identification»Color»Luster»Hardness»Cleavage/Fracture»Other Characteristics»Streak

HardnessDefinition: The resistance of a mineral to scratching.

Example: What will happen if I take a steel file to quartz?

How hard is the mineral that you have at your table?

Color

Calcite Halite

Why is color not always a good identification?

Knowing this, is the color of your mineral a good

indication of your mineral?

LusterDefinition: The property of a mineral that describes the quality or appearance of light

reflected from its surface

Metallic Non-metallic

What type of luster is your mineral?

• Metallic• Non-metallic–Waxy–Brilliant–Pearly–Dull/Earthy

Cleavage/Fracture

Cleavage Fracture

Does your sample have cleavage or is it

fractured?

S t reakDefinition: The property of a mineral that describes its color in powdered form.

Example: Pyrite is metallic gold in color, but its streak is black. While gold is metallic yellow in color and its streak is yellow.

Let’s take a look at your mineral and write down

what color it streaks. Does it streak the same color as the

mineral?