Examining and Classifying Minerals
Use the following link to identify the mineral samples listed in the table:
http://profharwood.x10host.com/GEOL101/Labs/Minerals/index.htm
Sample
Number
Luster
Hardness
Cleavage/
Fracture
Streak
Other Properties (e.g. Color,
Crystal Form, Reaction to Acid)
Mineral Name
1
Non-
metallic
2
1 irregular fracture
white
White color, form not present, not reactive or magnetic
Gypsum
3
Metallic
6
0 cleavage, 1 irregular fracture
Dark Gray
Gold color, pyritohedron form, non-
reactive, weakly magnetic
Pyrite
4
Non-
Metallic
7
0 Cleavage, 1 Conchoidal fracture
white
Clear color, hexagonal form, Not magnetic or reactive
Quartz
6
Non-
Metallic
6
2 cleavage, 1 irregular fracture
white
Red/brown color, form not present, Not reactive or magnetic
Plagioclase
9
Non-
Metallic
6
2 Cleavage, 1 irregular fracture
white
Pink color, form not present, not reactive or magnetic
Orthoclase
10
Non-
Metallic
2
3 cleavage, 1 conchoidal fracture
white
Clear color, cubic form, strong salty taste, not magnetic or reactive
Halite
11
Non-
Metallic
2
1 cleavage, 1 irregular fracture
white
Clear color, form not present, not reactive or magnetic
Muscovite
13
Non-
Metallic
4
0 cleavage, 1 irregular Reddish brown
Red/brown color, form not present, not magnetic or reactive
Hematite
