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Identifying Minerals

Identifying Minerals. Minerals can be identified by looking at their physical properties including: color, luster, streak, cleavage or fracture, and hardness. Color. Minerals can come in a variety of colors Colors can be influenced by impurities Not the best way to identify minerals. Luster.

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Identifying Minerals

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  1. Identifying Minerals

  2. Minerals can be identified by looking at their physical properties including: color, luster, streak, cleavage or fracture, and hardness

  3. Color • Minerals can come in a variety of colors • Colors can be influenced by impurities • Not the best way to identify minerals

  4. Luster • The way a surface reflects light • Minerals can have metallic luster, shiny • Minerals can have nonmetallic luster, dull

  5. Streak • Color of a mineral in powdered form • Less impurities so it is a better way to identify a mineral

  6. Cleavage and Fracture • Cleavage – Tendency to break along smooth, flat surfaces • Fracture – Tendency to break along unevenly curved or irregular surfaces

  7. Hardness • Resistance to being scratched • Minerals are rated 1 to 10 • 10 is the hardest and 1 is the softest

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