mineral identification vocabulary 1221676566494722 8

Mineral Identification Vocabulary... Mohs Scale of Hardness• a scale comparing the hardness of 10 common minerals... Vitreous • appears to shine like glass... Resinous • appears to be co

Mineral Identification

Vocabulary

• 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

• 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

• 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