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Identifying Minerals. Section 2 Page 70. Determine if each of the following is a mineral or a nonmineral , and explain your answers: helium, gold, water, ice. Color. Color by itself IS NOT sufficient to identify a mineral The same mineral can be found in a variety of colors
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Identifying Minerals Section 2 Page 70
Determine if each of the following is a mineral or a nonmineral, and explain your answers: helium, gold, water, ice.
Color • Color by itself IS NOT sufficient to identify a mineral • The same mineral can be found in a variety of colors • Things that change color • Impurities • Exposure to air or water (other elements)
Luster- How the material reflects light 3 main types of luster • Metallic-shiny, bright and reflective • Example : silver, copper, etc • Sub metallic: having the look of a metal that is dulled by weathering or corrosion; and dull , reflective • Example: Euxenite
Luster (Nonmetallic) Pollucite • Vitreous (glassy) – • example: quartz, tourmaline • Resinous (like resin or sap from a tree) – • example: sphalerite • Greasy or waxy – • example: turquoise Sphalerite Nepheline and cancrinite
Luster (Nonmetallic) • Pearly – having the iridescent look of mother-of-pearl (though usually just barely); • example: talc • Silky – having the look of silk, fine parallel fibers of mineral • example: asbestos Stellerite Gypsum
Streak • The color of powder form of the mineral left on a porcelain plate called a streak plate (must be softer than the porcelain) • The streak color is not effected by environment so it more reliable than color
Cleavage • The way the mineral splits along flat surfaces or tendency to break smooth • Determined by the arrangement of the atoms • Not all minerals have cleavage
Fracture • The tendency to break unevenly along curved or irregular surfaces • These minerals do not have planes of weakness and break irregularly.
Hardness • Hardness • How easily the mineral can be scratched • Can be compared to the hardness of other minerals by using the Mohs scale
Log: Dec. 7th What do geologist uses to determine how hard a mineral is? What are the 3 types of luster? What things can I use to identify minerals?