Physical Properties

Color Streak Hardness Crystalline Structure Tenacity Magnetism Luster Odor Cleavage or Fracture Taste Specific Gravity

Color
The most easily observed property, but usually the

least useful. A mineral's color can be changed by the impurities that are found in the mineral.

Streak
Streak is the color of the mineral in powdered form.

Hardness
Hardness is one of the

better properties of minerals to use for identifying a mineral.

Crystalline Structure
Mineral crystals occur in various shapes and sizes.

Some minerals form crystals, if there is time and room for the crystals to form. The crystal pattern of a mineral is controlled by the internal arrangement of the atoms that make up the mineral.

Tenacity
Brittle - Breaks or powders easily.
Malleable - can be hammered into thin sheets. Sectile - can be cut into thin shavings with a knife.

Ductile - Able to be deformed without losing

toughness. Flexible - Capable of bending easily without breaking. Elastic - Able to resume its normal shape spontaneously after contraction, dilatation, or distortion.

Magnetism
Magnetism is the characteristic that allows a mineral

to attract or repel other magnetic materials.

Luster
Luster is the property of minerals that indicates how

much the surface of a mineral reflects light.

Odor
Most minerals have no odor unless they are acted upon

in one of the following ways: moistened, heated, breathed upon, or rubbed.

Taste
The sensation of flavor perceived in the mouth and

throat on contact with a substance. Only soluble minerals have a taste, but it is very important that minerals not be place in the mouth or on the tongue.

Specific Gravity
Specific Gravity of a mineral is a comparison or ratio of

the weight of the mineral to the weight of an equal amount of water. The weight of the equal amount of water is found by finding the difference between the weight of the mineral in air and the weight of the mineral in water.

Polymorphism
Polymorphism- substance of the same chemical

composition are capable of crystalling in more than one class of symmetry. Ex. Aragonite and Calcite 1. Biology The occurrence of different forms, stages, or types in individual organisms or in organisms of the same species, independent of sexual variations. 2. Chemistry Crystallization of a compound in at least two distinct forms. Also called pleomorphism.

Isomerism
Isomerism- two element have about the same atomic

radius may displace other in crystal lattice. ex. Calcium and sodium to feldspar lattice. are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas. 1. (Chemistry) the existence of two or more compounds having the same molecular formula but a different arrangement of atoms within the molecule. 2. Crystal lattice - The symmetrical three-dimensional arrangement of atoms inside a crystal.

Stability
minerals had limited ranges in stability and if

subjected to change in temperature and pressure, they will either breakdown or change in phase. ex. diamond to granite. Tendency of a material to resist change or decomposition due to internal reaction, or due to the action of air, heat, light, pressure, etc.