mineral identification vocabulary 1221676566494722 8

Mineral Identification
Vocabulary


Appearance
• what a mineral looks like
(color, shape, size)
• NOT A VERY RELIABLE
TEST


Hardness
• a measure of how easily a
mineral scratches


Mohs Scale of Hardness
• a scale comparing the
hardness of 10 common
minerals.
• Has values of 1-10


Luster
• the way a mineral reflects
light


Metallic
• shines like metal

Non-metallic
• Non-metallic luster contains 5
different lusters. They are:
1. Vitreous
2. Resinous
3. Pearly
4. Greasy
5. Adamantine


Vitreous
• appears to shine like glass


Resinous
• appears to be covered in
resin (plastic)


Pearly
• having the iridescent
appearance of a pearl


Greasy
• looks like it is covered in
thin grease

Adamantine
• having the brilliant shine
like a diamond


Streak
The color of a mineral in
powder form. The streak test
is done on a streak plate.
• The mineral must be softer
than the streak plate to leave
a streak
•


Cleavage
• a break along a smooth flat
surface


Fracture
• a break with an uneven,
rough, or jagged surface


Other Properties
• interesting aspects of a
mineral that no other
mineral has