Flashcards
Mineral identification tests: luster, hardness, streak, cleavage
Cards in this deck (12)
- 1MineralsInorganic, naturally occurring substances that have a characteristic chemical properties, distinctive physical properties, and crystalline structure.
- 2Identifying MineralsWe use a series of tests, and scales to identify what the mineral is.
- 3Test 1: Luster(Visual)
We determine whether the mineral is metallic, or non-metallic based off the reflection of light. If there is no sheen, or simply does not look metallic, then the luster is non-metallic. If there is a sheen, it is metallic. - 4Test 2: HardnessWe use tools containing different hardness levels, and Moh's Hardness scale. When scratching the mineral against tools, we record the effectiveness of the tool's hardness in conjunction with the scale in order to determine which mineral we tested.
- 5Moh's Hardness Scale
- 6Test 3: StreakWe use a streak plate, and rub the mineral onto it so a visible streak is created. With this, we can also determine which mineral we have. FYI, the color of the streak does not always match the color of the mineral. This is why the test is performed.
- 7Test 4: Cleavage(Visual)
We can determine whether the rock has cleavage, or a fracture by simply looking at the planes of the rock. - 8CleavagePlanes that repeat throughout the mineral. FYI if you can peel cleavage off of a mineral like Mica.
- 9FractureNo planes; rounded, or irregular breaks. FYI Quartz are typically fractured unless they are in crystal form.
- 10Test 5: OtherSpecific gravity (density), smell (Sulfur after scratching), taste (salty), effervescence (fizzing from Calcite, Dolomite fizzes in powdered form), magnetism (Magnetite), striations (knife marks, found in Plagioclase), and veins (Exsolution Lamellae, found in Potassium Feldspar)
- 11Potassium Feldspar Colors:Pink, Green, White
- 12Quartz Colors:Rose Quartz (Pink), White Quartz, Clear Quartz, Amythest (Purple), Grey Quartz
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- Flashcards on Untitled, created by Isaac Sanchez on 14/10/2016.
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