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Properties of Minerals

Properties of Minerals. Luster. Appearance of a fresh mineral surface in reflected light. 1. Metallic Luster. 2. Vitreous Luster- glassy luster. 3. Resinous Luster. Pyrite Quartz Orpiment Muscovite Satin Spar Gypsum. 4. Pearly Luster. 5. Silky luster. Color.

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Properties of Minerals

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  1. Properties of Minerals

  2. Luster • Appearance of a fresh mineral surface in reflected light 1. Metallic Luster 2. Vitreous Luster- glassy luster 3. Resinous Luster Pyrite Quartz Orpiment Muscovite Satin Spar Gypsum 4. Pearly Luster 5. Silky luster

  3. Color • The wavelength of light that is reflected off of a freshly broken surface of a mineral. • Clear • Red • Orange • Yellow • Blue • Green • Indigo • Violet • Brown • Black • White

  4. Hardness • A mineral’s resistance to abrasion (being scraped) • Mohs scale of hardness

  5. Cleavage • The tendency of minerals to break along definite planes of weakness that exist in the internal structure of the mineral Gypsum

  6. Fracture • Conchoidal- Fracture- surface is smooth and has concentric ridges Fibrous- Breaks into long filaments • How a mineral breaks Obsidian Asbestos

  7. Streak • The color of the powder of a mineral after is has been scraped across a hardened ceramic surface

  8. Specific Gravity • Ratio of a minerals weight to the weight of an equivalent volume of water. Higher Specific Gravity= Higher Density

  9. Diaphaneity • The ability of a thin slice of mineral to transmit light Translucent- light passes through but is bent and you cannot resolve images Transparent- allows most light to pass through undistorted Opaque- no light passes through even the thinnest slice Calcite Muscovite Cinnabar

  10. Crystal Form • The assemblage of faces that reflect the internal molecular structure of the mineral

  11. Magnetism • Is the mineral attracted to a magnet? • Magnetite is the most common mineral that will do this. Hematite

  12. Double Refraction • Images appear doubled when viewed through the mineral specimen- Calcite

  13. Taste • Most minerals will not have this property. Never taste a sample unless directed to do so. Halite

  14. Odor • A characteristic smell from a mineral- Kaolinite smells musty or dank when moistened.

  15. Feel • Surface texture of a mineral. Greasy, slick, smooth, rough, soapy, veined Graphite- Greasy

  16. Chemical Reaction HCl acid on Calcite

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