Mineral ID Table

Table IA: Minerals with Metallic or Submetallic Luster & Hardness of less than 2½: (Will readily
leave a mark on paper.)
Hardness Color Streak Cleavage Name System Habit

1+ Dark-red to Vermilion Rust-red HEMATITE Trigonal ocherous masses, granular, often
Fe2O3
1 to 1½ Steel-grey to Iron- Black one perfect cleavage GRAPHITE Trigonal may be in small
black C hexagonal plates
1 to 1½ Bluish-black Black to Greenish-black one perfect cleavage MOLYBDENITE MoS2 Trigonal usually in somewhat foliated ap
hexagonal plate
1 to 2 Iron-black Black PYROLUSITE Tetragonal may be splintery or in radiating
MnO2
1½ Lead-grey Lead-grey one perfect cleavage NAGYAGITE Orthorhombic usually platy masses, may be gr
Pb13Au2Sb3Te6S16 pseudo-
tetragonal
1½ Steel-grey Steel-grey one perfect cleavage TETRADYMITE Trigonal usually in foliated to bladed mas
Bi2Te2S rare
1½ to 2 Silvery-white Grey SYLVANITE Monoclinic usually granular or in bladed ag
(Au,Ag)Te2 forms on rocks, resembling writ
2 Grey-black to Lead- Black to Grey-black BISMUTHINITE Bi2S3 Orthorhombic in bladed crystals showing cross
grey
2 Grey-black Bluish-black to Silvery- one perfect cleavage STIBNITE Orthorhombic usually as bladed crystals showi
black Sb2S3
2 to 2½ Grey-black to Lead- Black ACANTHITE Isometric pseudo-cubic, usually massive
grey Ag2S
2 to 2½ Iron-black Iron-black STEPHANITE Orthorhombic usually massive, more rarely as
Ag5SbS4
2 to 2½ Bright-red Bright-red to Deep-red one perfect CINNABAR Trigonal usually in granular masses
HgS
2 to 2½ Brownish-red to PYRARGYRITE/ Trigonal
Scarlet or Vermilion
Deep Ruby-re d to PROUSTITE
Bright Ruby-red Ag3(Sb,As)S3
2 to 2½ Silvery-white Silvery-white with BISMUTH Trigonal usually in laminated granular m
decidedly reddish tones Bi reticulated, artificial crystals in
2½ Brass-yellow to Yellowish- to Greenish- CALAVERITE Monoclinic usually granular, rarely in distin
Silvery-white grey AuTe2
2½ Grey-black to Black Bluish-black to Lead-grey perfect cleavage in three GALENA Isometric usually in cubic crystals or mass
directions at 90o to each other PbS in granular masses.
2 to 3 Black Black one imperfect cleavage POLYBASITE Monoclinic, usually massive or in crude pseu
(Ag,Cu)16Sb2S11 pseudo-
hexagonal
Table of Contents Return to Step 2
Table IB: Minerals with Metallic or Submetallic Luster & Hardness greater than 2½, but less than
5½: (Will not easily mark paper, but can be scratched with a pocket knife.)

1 to 2 Iron-black Black PYROLUSITE Tetragonal may be splin
MnO2
1½ to 2 Silvery-white Grey SYLVANITE Monoclinic usually granu
(Au,Ag)Te2 appears as sk
writing (cune
1½ to 2 Metallic-blue, tarnishes to Black COVELLITE Trigonal platy masses
blue-black CuS
2 Bluish-black to Silvery-black Grey-black one perfect cleavage STIBNITE Orthorhombic usually as bl
Sb2S3
2 to 2½ Deep Ruby-red to Bright Brownish-red to Scarlet Trigonal Prismatic, py
Ruby-red or Vermilion
PYRARGYRITE/ PROUSTITE ; scalenohedra
Ag3(Sb,As)S3
2 to 2½ Grey-black to Lead-grey Black ACANTHITE Isometric pseudo-cubic

Ag2S

2½ Bluish-black to Lead-grey Grey-Black to Black perfect cleavage in three GALENA Isometric usually in cu
directions at 90o to each other PbS cleavage, als
2½ Brass-yellow to Silvery-white Yellowish to Greenish- CALAVERITE Monoclinic usually granu
grey AuTe2
2 to 3 Grey-black Black JAMESONITE Monoclinic usually in fib
Pb4FeSb6S14
2½ to 3 Grey-black Grey to Black BOURNONITE Orthorhombic usually in sto
PbCuSbS3 intergrown c
entrant angle
2½ to 3 Steel-grey, may tarnish to Grey to Black CHALCOCITE Monoclinic, usually in co
black on exposure Cu2S pseudo- prismatic, of
orthorhombic vertically str
2½ to 3 Dark metallic Blue to Black Black DIGENITE Isometric usually mass
Cu2S very rarely a
2½ to 3 Steel-grey, tarnishes metallic Dark steel-grey STROMEYERITE Orthorhombic, usually mass
blue AgCuS pseudo- hexagonal pr
hexagonal
2½ to 3 Lead-grey Brown to brownish-grey BOULANGERITE Monoclinic usually mass
Pb5Sb4S11 needle-like m
2½ to 3 Dark-red to Vermilion Dark-red CINNABAR Trigonal usually mass
HgS rhombohedra
2½ to 3 Copper-red on fresh surfaces, Coppery-red, shiny COPPER Isometric usually in irr
tarnishes to brown or black Cu crude dendri
and malform
forms
2½ to 3 Deep golden-yellow Golden-yellow, shiny GOLD Isometric usually mass
Au and "flakes,"
or as malform
2½ to 3 Silvery-white, Silvery-white, shiny SILVER Isometric usually mass
tarnishes black Ag and dendritic
3 Grey-black Black perfect and distinct cleavages at ENARGITE Orthorhombic usually in bla
angles to one another Cu3AsS4
3 Brownish-bronze on fresh Grey-black BORNITE Orthorhombic, crystals usua
surfaces, tarnishing to metallic Cu5FeS4 pseudo-
purple, iridescent ("peacock tetrahedral
ore")
3 to 3½ Brass-yellow Black, sometimes with a MILLERITE Trigonal usually in rad
greenish tinge NiS hair-like crys
3 to 3½ Steel-grey Steel-grey one indistinct cleavage ZINKENITE Hexagonal usually mass
Pb9Sb22S42 fibrous aggre
3 to 3½ Tin-white Silvery-grey, shiny ANTIMONY Trigonal usually mass
Sb pseudo-cubic
3 to 4½ Steel-grey, may tarnish dead Black (may be Brownish- TETRAHEDRITE- Isometric usually mass
black upon exposure black) TENNANTITE usually pseud
(Cu,Fe,)12Sb4S13 </SUB<
FONT>
3½ Tin-white, tarnishing to Dark- Grey-black ARSENIC Trigonal
usually found
grey As
3½ to 4 Brownish-bronze to Bronze- Black no cleavage but large grains PENTLANDITE Isometric usually mass
yellow exhibit an octahedral parting (Fe,Ni)9S8
3½ to 4 Brass-yellow, often iridescent Black CHALCOPYRITE Tetragonal usually mass
CuFeS2 wedge-shape
3½ to 4 Brown to Black Brown good cleavage in one direction, WURTZITE Hexagonal usually mass
poor in another direction ZnS more rarely a
3½ to 4 Dark-brown to black, Dark to Light-brown: perfect cleavage in six directions SPHALERITE Isometric usually in co
sometimes Olive-yellow or streak usually lighter than at angles to one another,three ZnS usually block
Red to Reddish-black the color of the sample directions usually prominent
3½ to 4 Ruby-red to Reddish-brown Brownish-red CUPRITE Isometric usually mass
Cu2O octahedrons
3½ to 4 Black Green one perfect cleavage ALABANDITE Isometric usually mass
MnS
4 Brownish-bronze to Bronze- Grey-black PYRRHOTITE Monoclinic usually mass
yellow Fe1-xS pseudo-
hexagonal
4 Steel-grey to Iron-black Black indistinct cleavage in two STANNITE Tetragonal usually mass
directions Cu2FeSnS4
4 Steel-grey to Iron-black Dark reddish-brown to MANGANITE Monoclinic, usually in rad
Black MnO(OH) pseudo- grouped in b
orthorhombic
4 to 4½ White to Steel-grey Grey, shiny PLATINUM Isometric usually mass
Pt crystals rare
Steel-grey Black GLAUCODOT Orthorhombic usually mass
5 (Co,Fe)AsS cruciform pe
5 Yellowish or reddish-brown Pale-brown to white cleavage variable, may be good MONAZITE Monoclinic usually mass
in one direction and poor to (Ce,La,Nd)PO4 crystals
good in another direction
5 to 5½ Dark-brown to Black: color Dark-brown to Black: one perfect cleavage FERBERITE- Monoclinic usually mass
black in ferberite brown in streak darkens with HUEBNERITE ("Wolframite" with vertical
huebnerite increasing Mn content series)
(Fe,Mn)WO4
5 to 5½ Pale Copper-red to Pinkish Black NICKELINE Hexagonal usually mass
silvery-white, tarnishing to NiAs often malform
Dark-grey or Black arborescent,
5 to 5½ Dark brown to black Yellow-brown or Yellow- GOETHITE Orthorhombic usually in rad
ocher (pronounced "Ger-ta-ite.") mammillary,
FeO(OH)
5½ Dark-brown to Black, Iron-black to Brownish- CHROMITE Isometric usually mass
black FeCr2O4
(Magnesiochromite is closely
related, S.G. 4.2, Rare.
Manganochromite, H. 6½, is even
rarer.)
5½ to 6½ Dark-brown to Steel-grey to Rust-red or Indian-red HEMATITE Trigonal usually mass
black Fe2O3 aggregates
Table IC: Metallic or Submetallic Luster and Hardness greater than 5½: (Can not be scratched by a
knife.)

4 to 5½ Black or Pale yellowish or BETAFITE Isometric massive (metamict)
Dark greenish or yellowish- brownish (Ca,Na,U)2(Ti,Nb)2(OH)
brown
5 to 5½ Pale Copper-red to Pinkish Black NICKELINE Hexagonal usually massive, crystals rare a
Silvery-white, tarnishing to NiAs pyramidal, often malformed, m
Dark-grey or Black reticulated or arborescent
5 to 5½ Dark-brown to Black, Dark-brown to one perfect cleavage FERBERITE- Monoclinic usually massive, granular, cryst
color black in ferberite, brown Black HUEBNERITE ("Wolframite" to bladed with vertical striation
in huebnerite series)
(Fe,Mn)WO4
5 to 5½ Dark-brown to black Yellow-brown or GOETHITE Orthorhombic usually in radiating botryoidal a
Yellow-ocher (pronounced "Ger-ta-ite.") mammillary, or stalactic
FeO(OH)
5 to 5½ Dark-brown to Black, Dark Pale yellowish or MICROLITE Isometric usually massive,
yellowish-brown to greenish- brownish (Na,Ca)2Ta2O6(O,OH,F) granular, crystals octahedral
brown, Dark reddish-brown
5 to 5½ Brown to Black or Dark Light-brown to PYROCHLORE Isometric usually massive, granular, cryst
yellowish-brown Yellowish-brown (Na,Ca)2Nb2O6(OH,F).nH2O octahedral, modified by the cub

5 to 6 Black Black to Dark- ROMANECHITE Orthorhombic usually massive, botryoidal or s
brown BaMnMnO16(OH)4
5 to 6 Black to silvery-black Black to Dark- ILMENITE Trigonal usually as platy massive or gran
brown FeTiO3 crystals rare, thick tabular or ac
rhombohedral
5 to 6 Deep blood-red Black to Dark- perfect cleavages in two PYROPHANITE Trigonal usually in fine-grained, scaly, m
brown or Reddish- directions MnTiO3
brown
5½ Tin-white or Silvery-white Black one perfect cleavage COBALTITE/ Isometric usually massive, granular, cubi
GERSDORFFITE pyritohedral crystals (cobaltite)
(Co,Ni)AsS octahedral and pyritohedral cry
(gersdorffite)
5½ Tin-white or Silvery-white Black distinct cleavages at angles SKUTTERUDITE/ Isometric usually massive, crystals cubes
to one another, poor NICKEL- cubooctahedral
cleavage at a third angle SKUTTERUDITE: (Co,Ni)As2-
3
5½ Black Black to Dark- URANINITE Isometric usually massive

brown UO2
5½ Brownish-black Dark-brown CHROMITE Isometric usually massive, granular
FeCr2O4
5½ Pale copper-red Red-brown BREITHAUPTITE Hexagonal usually massive, crystals rare, t
NiSb
5½ to 6 Tin-white or silvery-white, Black one distinct cleavage ARSENOPYRITE Monoclinic usually massive, granular, cryst
tarnishing brown or bronzish FeAsS orthorhombic prismatic, usually
cruciform twins or star-shaped
5½ to 6 Dark-brown to Steel-grey to Rust-red or Indian- HEMATITE Trigonal usually massive in radiating, re
black red Fe2O3 micaceous aggregates, crystals
rhombohedral
6 Black Black MAGNETITE Isometric massive or in octahedral crysta
Fe3O4
6 Black Black to Dark- one distinct cleavage COLUMBITE- Orthorhombic usually massive platy, or as thic
brown TANTALITE crystals
(Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6
6 Brownish-black Dark-brown FRANKLINITE Isometric usually massive, granular, or as

(Fe,Zn,Mn)(Fe,Mn)2O4 crystals
6 to 6½ Brass-yellow Black (may be PYRITE Isometric massive or in striated cubic or p
greenish-black) FeS2 crystals, may be twinned
6 to 6½ Brass-yellow Black (may be MARCASITE Orthorhombic usually massive, granular, cryst
greenish-black) FeS2 "coxcomb" clusters or radiating
aggregates
6 to 6½ Dark-brown to Black Pale-brown RUTILE Tetragonal usually in prismatic crystals, ve
TiO2 striated, often needle-like as inc
silicate crystals, particularly qu
Note: The Betafite-Microlite-Pyrochlore Group and Subgroups are complex, species can be difficult to tell
apart. S.G. and radioactivity may be indicative for some species, but are rarely definitive.
Table IIA: Minerals with a Nonmetallic Luster, Definitely Colored Streak, and Hardness 1 to 6:
Streak Hardness Color Cleavage Name System Habit

Rust-red to Indian-red 1+ to 6½ Dark-brown to Steel-grey HEMATITE Trigonal
to black Fe2O3
Pink 1½ to 2½ Pale-pink to Red perfect cleavage ERYTHRITE Monoclinic usually as earthy crusts or powdery coatin
Co3(AsO4)2.8H2O minerals, may be reniform
Pale-pink to Light- 1½ to 2½ Apple-green , Grey, Pale- at least one cleavage, ANNABERGITE Monoclinic usually as coatings or crusts of tiny crysta
green rose perfect Ni3(AsO4)2.8H2O appearing, crystals bladed to acicular
Red 2 Red LITHARGE Tetragonal as alteration crusts on massicot (see below
PbO
Bright-Scarlet-red or 2 to 2½ Dark Ruby- PROUSTITE/ Trigonal
Vermilion to red or Bright Ruby-red PYRARGYRITE
Brownish-red Ag3(Sb,As)S3
Dark-red 2½ Dark-red to Vermilion one perfect cleavage CINNABAR Trigonal usually earthy or granular, commonly imp
HgS red or reddish-brown, bright-red and tran
transparent when pure, crystals rhombohe
tabular to short prismatic
Bright- to Deep-red 2½ to 3 Orange-yellow one distinct cleavage CROCOITE Monoclinic usually in prismatic crystals with an adam
PbCrO4 sub-vitreous luster, as parallel to jackstraw
may be hollow
Dark-red 3½ to 4 Ruby-red to Reddish- CUPRITE Isometric usually in octahedral or cubic crystals, ma
brown Cu2O slender crystals, may also be massive
Orange-or Reddish- 1½ to 2 Dark-red one good cleavage REALGAR Monoclinic usually massive, granular, coarse to fine,
yellow AsS
Orange-yellow 4 to 4½ Yellow to one ZINCITE Hexagonal usually massive as irregular grains or rou
Orange-yellow to Deep- perfect cleavage (Zn,Mn)O
red
Pale-yellow 1½ to 2½ Lemon-yellow one perfect cleavage ORPIMENT Monoclinic usually in foliated masses or grains
giving thin plates As2S3
Pale-yellow 1½ to 2½ Bright-yellow imperfect cleavage in SULFUR Orthorhombic usually imperfectly crystallized masses o
three directions S
Pale-yellow 2 Sulfur-yellow MASSICOT Orthorhombic usually earthy or scaly masses

PbO
Very Pale-yellow to 2 to 2½ Lemon-yellow to one perfect cleavage AUTUNITE/ Tetragonal/ usually as micaceous or scaly foliated agg
Yellowish-green Greenish-yellow and one distinct META-AUTUNITE Orthorhombic crystals thin or thick tabular
Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2.10-12H2O
/Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2.2-6H2O
Very Pale-Yellow, 2½ to 3 Orange-red to Ruby-red, VANADINITE (Apatite Hexagonal usually in barrel-shaped prismatic hexago
Yellowish-white (both Brownish-red to Group) either long or short, may be acicular in cl
rarely seen), White Brownish-yellow or pale Pb5(VO4)3Cl ("endlichite"), and as hollow prisms– "ho
Straw-yellow
Very Pale-green 2 to 2½ Emerald- to Grass-green, one perfect cleavage TORBERNITE/ Tetragonal usually as micaceous or scaly foliated agg
Apple-green, Leek-green and one indistinct METATORBERNITE crystals thin to thick tabular
Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2.11H2O /
Cu(UO2)2(PO4)2.8H2O
Light-green 3 to Dark to Bright Emerald- one perfect cleavage, ATACAMITE Orthorhombic usually in granular cleavable masses, crys
3½ green a second fair cleavage Cu2Cl(OH)3 and usually very small to microscopic
Light-green 3½ Dark Emerald-green one perfect cleavage, ANTLERITE Orthorhombic usually as mats of tiny acicular crystals, m
one poor cleavage Cu3(SO4)(OH)4 granular
Light-green 3½ to 4 Dark Emerald-green to BROCHANTITE Monoclinic usually as crusts or mats of tiny crystals,
Bright-green Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 be stout prismatic to acicular or tabular
Light-green 3½ to 4 Dark- to Bright-green one perfect cleavage MALACHITE Monoclinic as either radiating fibrous masses, botryo
Cu2(CO3)(OH)2 mammillary, or as slender to stout prisma
often poorly formed (and often psuedomo
azurite), may be crusts, or acicular stellat
Pale Bluish-white to 1½ to 2 Deep-blue or Deep one perfect cleavage VIVIANITE Monoclinic usually as flattened to bladed prismatic cr
White or Colorless Greenish-blue to Bluish Fe3(PO4)2.8H2O in stellate clusters or sprays, may also be
green crusts, or reniform masses
Very Pale-blue to 2 to 4 Pale- to Deep-blue, Blue- CHRYSOCOLLA usually in glassy, opaline, or porcellaneou
Grey or Tan green, Green Cu2H2[Si2O5](OH)4 crusts, often as mats of very fine acicular
be botryoidal
Light-blue 2½ Azure-blue to Bright- LINARITE Monoclinic usually as clusters or sprays of tiny elong
blue PbCu(SO4)(OH)2 or tabular crystals, bladed, may also be in
crudely formed crystals
Light-blue 3½ to 4 Deep Azure-blue one perfect cleavage AZURITE Monoclinic usually as small stout prismatic crystals, m
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2 sprays or radiating spherical groups
Bright-blue 5 to 5½ Deep-blue to Medium- one distinct cleavage LAZURITE Isometric usually massive, compact to granular, cry
Blue and Violet-blue Na3Ca(Al3Si3O12)S dodecahedral
Very Pale-blue to 5½ to 6 Light- to Medium-blue, one poor to distinct SODALITE Isometric usually massive granular, crystals rare, do
White Violet-blue, cleavage Na4(Al3Si3O12)Cl octahedral. Rare
Grey, or White
Brown 3½ to 4 Light-tan to Dark-brown perfect cleavages in SIDERITE Trigonal usually in cleavable masses, crystals usua
three directions FeCO3 rhombohedrons, faces curved
producing rhombic
fragments
Brown 3½ to 4 Dark-brown to Black one perfect cleavage FERBERITE/ Monoclinic usually massive, granular, crystals tabula
HUEBNERITE with vertical striations
("Wolframite" series)
(Fe,Mn)WO4
Light-brown 3½ to 4 Dark to Light-brown, perfect cleavage in six SPHALERITE Isometric usually in cleavable masses, granular, cry
Olive-brown, Reddish directions ZnS wedge-shaped
brown, Reddish-black
Yellow-brown to 5 to 5½ Dark-brown to Black one perfect cleavage GOETHITE (pronounced Orthorhombic usually in reniform or radiating fibrous m
Ocher-yellow "Ger-ta-ite" botryoidal or mammillary, also stalactic
FeO(OH)
Light-brown 6 to 6½ Reddish-brown to Black one distinct cleavage RUTILE Tetragonal usually in slender prismatic crystals with
TiO2 striated faces, as "elbow twins" (reticulate
"sixlings"
Brown to Black 6 to 7 Light-brown to greyish or one imperfect CASSITERITE Tetragonal usually as fibrous, reniform, or irregular m
white cleavage SnO2 stream-worn nuggets, with a dull to subm
crystals usually twined, with a submetalli
adamantine luster
Table IIB-1: Streak not colored, Cleavage Prominent, Hardness less than 2½: (Can be scratched with
a fingernail, Streak: white or none.)
Cleavage Hardness Luster Color Name System Habit

imperfect in four directions <1 (?) vitreous to sub- vitreous Colorless to White (may be SAL AMMONIAC: NH4Cl Isometric usually as pow
(octahedral) stained by impurities seams that hav
in skeletal; or d
dodecahedral(r
Perfect in one direction 1 waxy to pearly White to Grey, Sea-green, TALC Monoclinic usually as folia
impure material may be Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
Dark-green to Dark-grey,
almost Black
Perfect in one direction (rarely 1 White ULEXITE Triclinic usually as mass
seen)
vitreous to Colorless NaCaB5O6(OH).5H2O

Perfect in one direction, good in 1½ to 2 luster vitreous to sub-vitreous Colorless to White or Grey NITRATINE Trigonal usually massiv
one direction, poor (Nitratite, Soda-Niter):
in one direction (rhombohedral) NaNO3
Imperfect in three directions 1½ to 2½ resinous to sub-vitreous, may Bright-yellow SULFUR Orthorhombic usually imperfe
(rhombic) appear somewhat earthy S
when massive or as crusts
Perfect in one direction 2 to 2½ sub-vitreous to dull. Green, pale to dark almost CLINOCHLORE-CHAMOSITE Monoclinic usually as aggr
black, may be other colors, (Chlorite Group) compact masse
but rarely (Mg,Fe)5Al(Si3Al)O10(OH)8
Perfect in one direction, 2 vitreous Colorless to White or NITER Orthorhombic usually as thin
imperfect in one direction good Grey (Saltpeter): powdery, mass
in one direction (prismatic) KNO3 delicate
acicular crystal
Perfect in one direction 2 waxy luster. White to Grey, PYROPHYLLITE: Monoclinic usually as aggr
darker when impure, may be Al2Si4O10(OH)2
Greenish
Perfect in one direction, good in 2 sub-vitreous to pearly (on Colorless to White or Grey GYPSUM Monoclinic may be in com
two directions cleavage faces) to silky or (may be stained CaSO4.2H2O fibrous masses
(prismatic) dull other colors by impurities) twinned ("selen
Perfect in three directions 2 vitreous to sub-vitreous Colorless HALITE Isometric usually as gran
(cubic) to White (may be stained by (Common Salt)
impurities) NaCl
Perfect in three directions 2 vitreous to sub-vitreous Colorless to White (may be SYLVITE Isometric usually as gran
(cubic) stained by impurities) (Potassium Salt)
KCl
Perfect in one direction 2 to 2½ pearly on cleavage White, may be Pale- MUSCOVITE Monoclinic, usually in "boo
surfaces green or Pale-yellow (Mica Group) pseudo- thin scales, cry
Kal2(Si3Al)O10 (OH,F)2 hexagonal hexagonal or "d
Perfect in one direction 2 to 2½ pearly on cleavage surfaces White to Greenish- PHLOGOPITE Monoclinic, usually as aggr
white or Yellowish-brown (Mica Group): pseudo- sheets, crystals
KMg3(Si3Al)O10(F,OH) hexagonal
Perfect in one direction 2 to 2½ pearly on cleavage Black to Brownish- ANNITE Monoclinic, usually in "boo
surfaces black ("Biotite Mica Group) pseudo- thin scales; cry
K(Fe,Mg)(Si3Al)O10(OH,F)2 hexagonal
Perfect in one direction (rarely 2 to 2½ earthy White KAOLINITE Triclinic usually as com
seen) to Tan, may be Greyish Al2Si2O5(OH)4
Perfect in three directions 2 to 2½ vitreous Bright-red VILLIAUNITE Isometric usually as smal
(cubic) to Pale-rose, white streak NaF by an octahedr
Perfect in one direction 2½ pearly on cleavage surfaces White, Grey, or Greenish- BRUCITE Trigonal usually as folia
white Mg(OH)2 micas)
Perfect in one direction 2½ sub-vitreous to waxy, may be White to Colorless, COOKEITE Monoclinic usually as aggr
dull Greyish, to Yellowish or (Chlorite Group): rosettes or sphe
Tannish LiAl4(Si3Al)O10(OH)8 botryoidal look
Table IIB-2: Streak NotColored, Cleavage Not Prominent, Hardness less than 2½: (Can be scratched
with a fingernail; Streak: white or none; Cleavage absent or not obvious.)
Hardness Color Luster Cleavage Name System Habit

<1 (?) Colorless to White vitreous to sub- vitreous imperfect in four directions (octahedral), SAL AMMONIAC: Isometric usually as powdery
(may be stained by may not be seen NH4Cl in coal seams that h
impurities) trapezohedral, tiny,
aggregates
1 White to Perfect in one direction, may not be seen ULEXITE Triclinic usually as masses o
Colorless NaCaB5O6(OH).5H2O rounded
1½ to 2 Colorless to White or vitreous to sub-vitreous Perfect in one direction, good in one NITRATINE (Nitratite, Trigonal usually massive, gr
Grey direction, poor in one direction Soda-Niter)
(rhombohedral), may not be apparent NaNO3
1½ to 2½ Bright-yellow resinous to sub- vitreous, may Imperfect in three directions (rhombic), SULFUR: Orthorhombic usually imperfectly
appear somewhat earthy when may not be apparent S
massive or as crusts
2 Colorless to White or vitreous to sub-vitreous Perfect in one direction, imperfect in one NITER (Saltpeter) Orthorhombic usually as thin crus
Grey direction, good in one direction KNO3 massive, or column
(prismatic), may not be apparent delicate acicular cry
2 to 2½ White to Tan, may be earthy luster Perfect in one direction, may not be seen KAOLINITE Triclinic usually as compact
Greyish Al2Si2O5(OH)4
2 to 2½ Bright-red to Pale- vitreous to sub-vitreous Perfect in three directions (cubic), may VILLIAUNITE: Isometric usually as small to
rose not be seen NaF modified by the oct
(small?), granular
2½ White to vitreous to waxy luster, may Perfect in one direction, may not be seen COOKEITE Monoclinic usually as aggregat
Colorless, Greyish, to be dull. (Chlorite Group): in tiny rosettes or s
Yellowish or Tannish LiAl4(Si3Al)O10(OH)8 somewhat botryoid
scales elastic
Note: There are very few common to rare non-metallic species less than 2½ in hardness which do not have
at least one good cleavage. Any sample that keys out to this point and is not one of the above listed
minerals needs to be re-examined. It probably either has a prominent cleavage or is harder than 2½. Or it is
a very rare to extremely rare species not covered here.
Table IIC-1: Streak not colored, Cleavage prominent, Hardness 2½ to 3: (Can not be scratched by a
fingernail, can be scratched by a copper penny, streak white or one.)
Cleavage Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Perfect in one 2½ to 4 Lilac, Lavender, pearly luster on LEPIDOLITE Monoclinic, usually as aggregates of tiny flakes
direction (basal) Greyish- cleavage surfaces (Mica Group) pseudo-hexagonal distorted hexagonal shaped crystals
to Greenish-white K(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2
Perfect in one 3½ to 5 Deep to pale Lilac, pearly on cleavage MARGARITE Monoclinic usually as flaky aggregates or cross
direction (basal) Grey to surfaces (Mica Group) amphibolite schist
White CaAl2(Al2Si2)O10(OH)2
Perfect in three 2 Colorless to White vitreous to sub- HALITE Isometric usually as granular crystalline mas
directions (cubic) (may vitreous (Common Salt)
be stained by NaCl
impurities)
Perfect in three 2 Colorless to White vitreous to sub- SYLVITE Isometric usually as granular crystalline mas
directions (cubic) (may vitreous luster (Potassium Salt)
be stained by KCl
impurities)
Distinct in one 2½ to 3 Colorless or White adamantine to sub- ANGLESITE Orthorhombic usually in crystalline masses, cryst
direction to Greyish-white or adamantine, may be PbSO4 prismatic
(prismatic), good in Greyish-brown vitreous to resinous
a second direction
(basal) and fair to
poor in a third on some surfaces
direction (rhombic
overall)
Perfect in three 3; but may be 2 across usually Clear or vitreous to sub- CALCITE Trigonal may be in cleavable masses produc
directions, corners the top surface of White to Tan or vitreous CaCO3 marble),scalenohedral ("dogtooth")
120o or 60o prismatic crystals with Grey, but may be
(rhombic) a flat termination tinted many colors
rhombohedral ("nailhe
related shapes; The m
make this one of the s
crystal form alone. Fe
forms it takes. (there
this species to date…)
Perfect in two 3 Colorless, White, or vitreous to sub- KERNITE: Monoclinic usually in cleavable crystalline ma
directions Grey (may be vitreous Na2B4O6(OH)2.3H2O
(prismatic) and fair stained other colors)
in a third
imperfect in one 3 to 3½ Colorless to White vitreous to sub- WITHERITE (Aragonite Orthorhombic, usually as stout prismatic twinned
direction (basal), or Greyish-white, vitreous Group) pseudo-hexagonal terminations on both ends, more ra
distinct in another may BaCO3 and granular
direction be tinted other
(rhombic), may not colors
be seen
Perfect in two 3 to 3½ Colorless to White vitreous and/or ANHYDRITE Orthorhombic usually in coarsely crystalline mass
directions, imperfect or Greyish-white, pearly CaSO4 cleavage, or in granular masses wit
to good in a third may be tinted other usually equant or thick tabular
(rhombic) colors
Distinct in one 3 to 3½ Colorless to White vitreous, pearly on BARITE Orthorhombic usually in clusters or
direction or Greyish-white, basal cleavage BaSO4 aggregates of platy to tabular cryst
(prismatic), good in may be tinted other surfaces
a second direction colors
(basal) and fair to
poor in a third
direction (rhombic
overall)
Distinct in one 3 to 3½ Colorless to White vitreous, pearly on CELESTITE (Celestine) Orthorhombic usually in clusters or aggregates of
direction or Greyish-white, basal cleavage SrSO4
(prismatic), good in Blue, may be tinted surfaces
a second direction other colors
(basal) and fair to
poor in a third
direction (rhombic
overall)
Note: The above three members of the Barite Group are most easily told apart by their S.G.s Anglesite is
noticeably heavier than the other two, barite may feel heavier than celestite.
Table IIC-2a: Nonmetallic Luster; Streak Not Colored; Hardness 2½ to 3; Cleavage Not Prominent;
Splinter Will Fuse in a Candle Flame.
Fusibility Color Hardness Luster Name System Habit

swells and fuses to Usually Snow-white;Colorless to 2 to 2½ vitreous to resinous BORAX: Monoclinic usually in crystallin
a glassy White or Greyish-white, may be Na2B4O5(OH)4.8H2O short
globule in a candle tinted other colors prismatic to somew
flame
Small splinters Colorless to White, may be tinted 2½ vitreous to greasy, has an unusual greasy CRYOLITE: Na3AlF6 monoclinic usually massively
fusible in a candle other colors translucence crystalline to coarse
flame usually pseudo-cubi
Small splinters Colorless to White or Greyish- 3 to 3½ adamantine to vitreous, may be resinous CERUSSITE (Aragonite orthorhombic usually as crystallin
fusible in a candle White, may be tinted other colors on cleavage surfaces, may also appear Group) usually tabular in pl
flame submetallic when dark colored PbCO3 be prismatic, rarely
Table IIC-2b: Nonmetallic Luster; Streak Not Colored; Hardness 2½ to 3; Cleavage Not Prominent;
Infusible in a Candle Flame.
Color Hardness Luster Name System Habit

White to Tan, may be 2 to 2½ earthy KAOLINITE Triclinic usually as compact earthy masses
Greyish Al2Si2O5(OH)4
Colorless to White or 3 to 3½ vitreous and/or ANHYDRITE Orthorhombic usually in coarsely crystalline masses exhibiting
Greyish-white, may be pearly CaSO4 cleavage, or in granular masses with no cleavag
tinted other colors crystals rare and usually equant or thick tabular
Colorless to White or 3 to 3½ vitreous to sub- WITHERITE Orthorhombic, usually as stout prismatic twinned crystals with
Greyish-white, may be vitreous (Aragonite Group): pseudo- cross section, often with pyramidal terminations
tinted other colors BaCO3 hexagonal more rarely as globular to botryoidal clusters, co
aggregates, and granular
Colorless to White or Grey, 3½ to 4 vitreous to sub- STRONTIANITE Orthorhombic usually in granular or fibrous aggregates, may b
may be tinted other colors vitreous, silky (Aragonite Group) crystals short prismatic to acicular, often pseud
when fibrous SrCO3 cross- section (Ca-rich)
Shades of Green, olive, 2½ to 4; rarely 5 to sub-vitreous to ANTIGORITE/ Monoclinic, usually in crystalline masses, often platy or colu
apple, dark to blackish, often 6 in dense massive greasy luster, feels LIZARDITE/AMESITE Orthorhombic and
mottled material greasy (Serpentine Group) Triclinic
Generally
(Mg,Al)3(Si,Al)2O5(OH)4
White to Grey, Pale-green to 2 to 3 silky CLINOCHRYSOTILE/ Monoclinic & usually in fine fibrous aggregates,
Olive-green, Golden-yellow ORHTOCRYSOTILE/ Orthorhombic fibers often very long and "weaveable,"
to Brown PARACHRYSOTILE
(Serpentine Group):
Mg3Si2O5(OH)4
Orange-red to Ruby-red, 2½ to 3 luster sub-vitreous VANADINITE Hexagonal usually in barrel- shaped prismatic hexagonal cr
Brownish-red to Brownish- to sub-resinous (Apatite Group): Pb5(VO4)3Cl long or short, may be acicular in clusters or mat
yellow or pale and as hollow prisms - "hopper" crystals
Straw-yellow
Dark-green to Yellow-green, 3½ sub-vitreous to PYROMORPHITE (Apatite Hexagonal usually in barrel- shaped, prismatic hexagonal c
Yellow to Orange-Yellow, resinous Group): also be spindle- shaped, hollow – "hopper cryst
Brown, White, even Pb5(PO4)3Cl tabular or pyramidal, crystals may exhibit conce
Colorless structural zones due to zoned variations in comp
Pale-yellow to Yellowish- 3½ to 4 luster sub-vitreous MIMETITE Hexagonal usually in simple barrel-shaped prismatic crysta
brown, Orange-yellow to to resinous (Apatite Group): or acicular, may be botryoidal or globular
Orange-red, White Pb5(AsO4)3Cl
to Colorless
Green to Yellow, Greenish- 3½ to 4 vitreous to WAVELLITE: Orthorhombic usually in radiating fibrous aggregates or stellat
white, Yellowish-Brown to pearly, sometimes Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)3.5H2O crusts, may be stalactic
Brown, rarely other hues resinous
Note: The above three members of the Apatite Group are difficult to tell apart when they have the color(s)
of vanadinite, though usually the colors in vanadinite are deeper, more intense, than the other two.
Vanadinite has lower S.G. than the other two as well.
Table IID-1: Nonmetallic Luster, Hardness Greater Than 3 but Less Than 5½, and Prominent
Cleavage: (Can not be scratched by a copper penny, can be scratched by a knife, streak white or none.)
imperfect in one direction 3 to 3½ Colorless to White or vitreous to sub- WITHERITE Orthorhombic, usually as sto
(basal), may be distinct in Greyish-white, may be vitreous (Aragonite Group) pseudo- hexagonal with a hexag
another direction tinted other colors BaCO3 pyramidal te
(rhombic)but usually not rarely as glo
seen coarse fibrou
Distinct in one direction 3½ to 4 Colorless to White or vitreous to sub- ARAGONITE Orthorhombic usually in pr
(prismatic) Grey, may be tinted vitreous or resinous (Aragonite Group) flattened, oft
other colors CaCO3 producing a
section, may
stellate aggre
Perfect cleavage in one 3½ to 4 Colorless to White, may vitreous, pearly on STILBITE-(Ca) Monoclinic usually as fla
direction (prismatic) be Yellow, Brown, and cleavage surfaces (Zeolite Group) crystals, ofte
other colors (Ca0.5,Na,K)9[Al9Si27O72].28H2O ("bowties")
Perfect cleavage in one 3½ to 4 Colorless to White, may vitreous, pearly on HEULANDITE-(Ca) Monoclinic commonly ta
direction (prismatic) be Grey, Yellow, Pink, cleavage surfaces (Zeolite Group) be long-prism
and other colors (Ca0.5,Na,K)9[Al9Si27O72].~24H2O
Perfect cleavage in one 3½ to 4 Colorless to White vitreous, pearly on CLINOPTILOLTE-(Ca) Monoclinic usually as pl
direction (prismatic) cleavage surfaces (Zeolite Group) flattened lon
(Ca0.5,Na,K)6[Al6Si30O72].~20H2O grained, mas
Perfect cleavage in one 4½ Colorless to White, may vitreous to sub- STELLERITE Orthorhombic usually in sp
direction (prismatic) be Pink or Brown vitreous (Zeolite Group) tabular cryst
Ca[Al2Si7O18].7H2O scaly to platy
Perfect in one direction 4½ to 5½ Colorless to White, Pale- vitreous, pearly on BREWSTERITE-Sr/ Monoclinic & usually as sm
(prismatic), may have a poor pink, Pale-yellow to some cleavage BREWSTERITE-Ba Triclinic blocky or pri
(pinacoidal) cleavage in Pale-brown surfaces (Sr,Ba)2[Al4Si12O32].10H2O –
another direction (Ba,Sr)2[Al4Si12O32].10H2O
Perfect cleavage in one 5 to 5½ Pale-pink, Colorless to usually vitreous to NATROLITE Orthorhombic usually as lo
direction (prismatic) White, may be Grey or silky in finer acicular (Zeolite Group) clusters or ra
other colors aggregates, but may be Na2[Al2Si3O10].2H2O jackstraw clu
dull or even greasy
Poor in one direction, may 5 to 5½ Colorless to White, may vitreous ANALCIME Polymorphous usually in cu
not be seen be Yellow, Pink, or other (Zeolite Group) (Iso., Tet., Orth., fine-grained
colors Na[AlSi2O6].H2O Mon., Tric., Trig.) crystal forms
Perfect in one direction (may 4 to 4½ Colorless to white or vitreous to sub- COLEMANITE Monoclinic usually in dr
have a distinct cleavage in a Grey, may be tinted adamantine Ca2B6O11.5H2O acicular to p
second direction) other colors
Perfect in one direction (may 4½ to 5 Colorless to White or vitreous to sub- FLUORAPOPHYLLITE- Tetragonal crystals usua
have an imperfect cleavage in Grey, Pale-green, may vitreous, pearly on HYDROXYLAPOPHYLLITE stout tabular
a second direction) also be other tints cleavage surfaces KCa4Si8O20F.8H2O - commonly st
KCa4Si8O20(OH).8H2O
Perfect in one direction ( may 4½ to 5 parallel Blue most common, also vitreous to subvitreous KYANITE Triclinic most often a
have a good cleavage in to the length of Green, may be Grey, Al2SiO5 crystals, usu
another direction) the crystal, 7 to even Black, due to terminated, m
7½ across the inclusions randomly ori
crystal
Two Directions 3½ to 4 Colorless to White or vitreous to sub- STRONTIANITE Orthorhombic usually in gr
Perfect in one direction Grey, may be tinted vitreous, silky when (Aragonite Group) may be colum
(prismatic), good in another other colors fibrous SrCO3 acicular, ofte
direction (prismatic) section (Ca-r
Two Directions 4½ Bluish-grey to Greenish- vitreous to sub- TRIPHYLITE- Orthorhombic usually in cle
Perfect in one direction, Grey (triphylite), white vitreous, may be dull LITHIOPHILITE crystals rare
imperfect in a second (both to greyish-white streak, in granular massive LiFePO4 – LiMnPO4 surfaces, sto
prismatic) Clove-brown to material
Yellowish-brown,
Salmon (lithiophilite)
Two Directions: perfect in 4½ to 5 Colorless to White, may vitreous, pearly on HEMIMORPHITE Orthorhombic usually in ra
one direction (prismatic), be Pale-yellow, Pale- some cleavage Zn4Si2O7(OH)2.H2O somewhat fla
good in a second direction green, Sky-blue, Pale- surfaces may also be
(cleavages rarely seen) brown thick to almo
Two Directions: perfect in 4½ to 5 White, Pale-pink, Pale- vitreous to silky in PECTOLITE Triclinic usually in ac
both directions (prismatic & tan, Pale-blue fibrous material (Wollastonite Group) aggregates
pinacoidal) NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
Two Directions: perfect in 4½ to 5 White to Greyish-white, vitreous luster to WOLLASTONITE-1A Triclinic usually in co
one direction (prismatic), may also be Pale-green somewhat pearly in (Wollastonite Group) masses, mor
good in a second fibrous material CaSiO3
(pinacoidal), may exhibit a
poor to good third cleavage
(rarely seen)
Two Directions: perfect in 4½ to 5 Orange to Pinkish- vitreous, pearly on SERANDITE Triclinic usually as sli
two directions (prismatic & orange to Rose cleavage surfaces (Wollastonite Group) crystals in pa
pinacoidal) Na(Mn,Ca)2Si3O8(OH)
Two Directions: perfect in 5 to 5½ Yellowish-brown to vitreous to sub- TITANITE ("SPHENE") Monoclinic usually in cr
one direction, imperfect in a Greenish-brown vitreous, may be CaTiSiO5 crystals, wed
second direction (both somewhat resinous or
prismatic) oily
Two Directions: perfect in 5½ to 6½ Pink to Rose-red, vitreous to sub- RHODONITE Triclinic usually mass
both directions at nearly 90o Brownish-red, usually vitreous, may be (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca)SiO3 crystals
to one another (prismatic) coated with black somewhat pearly on
manganese oxides cleavage surfaces
Two Directions: perfect in 5½ to 6 Dark Greenish- black to vitreous, splendant. BABINGTONITE Triclinic usually as eq
two directions Black Ca2(Fe,Mn)FeSi5O14(OH) tabular cryst
Two Directions: perfect in 4 to 4½ Colorless to White, may silky to vitreous DACHIARDITE-Ca Monoclinic usually fibro
both directions (prismatic be Pink to Orange-red (Zeolite Group) crystals in ra
and pinacoidal) (Ca0.5,K,Na)4-5[Al4-5Si20-19O48]
.
~13H2O
Two Directions: distinct in 4 to 4½ Colorless to White, may vitreous PHILLIPSITE-Ca Monoclinic usually as sm
one direction, indistinct in be Pink to Red, Yellow (Zeolite Group) orthorhombi
another (both prismatic) (Ca0.5,K,Na,Ba0.5)4-7[Al4-7,Si12-9O32]
.
12H2O
Two Directions: good in one 4½ to 5 Colorless to White or vitreous HARMOTOME Monoclinic usually as bl
direction, fair in another Greyish-white, may be (Zeolite Group) twinned, pse
(both prismatic), fair tinted other colors (Ba0.5,Ca0.5,K,Na)5[Al5Si11O32] crystals
.
cleavage may not be seen 12H2O
Two Directions: 4½ to 5½ Colorless to White, Pale- vitreous, pearly on BREWSTERITE-Sr/ Monoclinic & usually as sm
perfect in one direction pink, Pale-yellow to some cleavage BREWSTERITE-Ba Triclinic blocky or pri
(prismatic), poor in another, Pale-brown surfaces (Sr,Ba)2[Al4Si12O32].10H2O -
(pinacoidal), second may not (Ba,Sr)2[Al4Si12O32].10H2O
be seen
Two Directions: perfect in 5 Colorless to White, may silky when fibrous, MESOLITE Orthorhombic usually in fib
both directions (both be Pink to Red, vitreous when acicular (Zeolite long slender
prismatic) Yellowish or Green Group)Na16Ca16[Al48Si72O240].64H2O clusters, or j
fibrous tufts
Two Directions: 5 to 5½ Colorless to White, Pink vitreous, silky in SCOLECITE Monoclinic usually as th
perfect in both directions to Red or Salmon, Green fibrous material (Zeolite Group) stellate to rad
(both prismatic) Ca[Al2Si3O10].3 H2O fibrous radia
Two Directions: 5 to 5½ Colorless to White, Pale- vitreous, silky in more NATROLITE Orthorhombic usually as lo
perfect in one direction pink to Pale-red, may be fibrous aggregates, (Zeolite Group) crystals (nea
(prismatic), good to distinct other colors more rarely greasy or Na2[Al2Si3O10].2H2O pseudo-tetra
in a second direction dull stellate or jac
(actually a parting, but
distinct – prismatic)
Two Directions 5 to 5½ Colorless to White, may vitreous to pearly THOMSONITE Orthorhombic usually in gr
perfect in one direction, good be tinted other colors, (Zeolite Group) from thin rec
in another (both prismatic), white streak Ca2Na[Al5Si5O20]. 6H2O prismatic
may not be seen
Two Directions at ~56o and 5 to 6 Grey to Lavender-blue or vitreous, silky in GLAUCOPHANE - Monoclinic usually in lat
~124o , prismatic – Pale-blue asbestiform varieties FERROGLAUCOPHANE striated along
Amphibole Group; good to Na2(Mg3Al2)Si8O22(OH)2 - Na2(Fe3Al2) ("asbestiform
perfect in both directions Si8O22(OH)2
o
Two Directions at ~56 and 5 to 6 Light-blue to Blue-black vitreous, silky in MAGNESIORIEBECKITE - Monoclinic usually in lat
~124o , prismatic – asbestiform varieties RIEBECKITE striated along
Amphibole Group; good to Na2(Mg3Fe2)Si8O22(OH)2 - ("asbestiform
perfect in both directions Na2(Fe3Fe2)Si8O22(OH)2
Two Directions at ~56o and 5 to 6 White to Light-Green to vitreous, silky in TREMOLITE-ACTINOLITE Monoclinic usually in bl
~124o , prismatic – Dark-green asbestiform varieties Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 – also be some
Amphibole Group; perfect in Ca2(Fe,Mg)5Si8O22(OH)2 asbestiform (
both directions ("mountain l
Two Directions at ~56o and 5 to 6 Brown to Greenish- vitreous, silky in CUMMINGTONITE - Monoclinic usually in bl
~124o , prismatic – brown to Green or fibrous varieties GRUNERITE asbestiform,
Amphibole Group; good to Greyish-green Mg7Si8O22(OH)2–
perfect in both directions Fe7Si8O22(OH)2
Cleavage Habit Color Luster Name System Habit
Two Directions at ~56o and 5½ to 6 White to Grey or Pale- vitreous, silky in ANTHOPHYLLITE - Orthorhombic usually colum
~124o , prismatic – green to Clove-brown or asbestiform varieties FERROANTHOPHYLLITE radiating, or
Amphibole Group; perfect in Dark-brown Mg7Si8O22(OH)2 – Fe7Si8O22(OH)2
one direction, imperfect in
the second
Two Directions at ~56o and 5½ to 6 Pale Greenish-grey to vitreous, silky when GEDRITE-FERROGEDRITE Orthorhombic usually in lam
~124o , prismatic – Greenish-brown and fibrous Mg5Al2[Si6Al2O22](OH)2 –
Amphibole Group; perfect in Brown Fe5Al2[Si6Al2O22] (OH)2
one direction, imperfect in
the other
Two Directions at ~56o and 5 to 6 Black to Greenish-black vitreous MAGNESIOHORNBLENDE - Monoclinic usually in co
~124o , prismatic – or Dark-green FERROHORNBLENDE masses, also
Amphibole Group; perfect in Ca2[Mg4(Al,Fe)]Si7AlO22(OH)2 - aggregates w
both directions Ca2[Fe4(Al,Fe)]Si7AlO22(OH)2 a crudely pse
otherwise rec
asbestiform
Two Directions at ~56o and 5 to 6 Pale-green to Dark- vitreous, silky in RICHTERITE - Monoclinic usually in cle
~124o , prismatic – green, Greyish-brown to asbestiform varieties FERRORICHTERITE aggregates o
Amphibole Group; perfect in Brown, Yellow-brown to Na(Ca,Na) Mg5Si8O22(OH)2- crystals, also
both directions Reddish-brown or Rose- Na(Ca,Na)Fe5Si8O22(OH)2
red
Two directions at nearly 90o, 5 to 6 Pale-to Medium-green, vitreous to sub- ENSTATITE/ Orthorhombic & usually granu
prismatic – Pyroxene Group. Pale-yellow to light vitreous, may be sub- CLINOENSTATITE Monoclinic prismatic cry
good to perfect in both Yellowish-brown, Pale- metallic in the Mg2Si2O6
directions bronze ("bronzite") "bronzite" and
"hypersthene" varieties
Two directions at nearly 90o, 5 to 6 Greenish-brown or vitreous to sub- FERROSILITE/ Orthorhombic & usually granu
prismatic – Pyroxene Group. Brown to nearly Black vitreous, may be dull, CLINOFERROSILITE Monoclinic rare
good in both directions may be pearly to sub- (Fe,Mg)2Si2O6
metallic on cleavage
surfaces
Two directions at nearly 90o, 5½ to 6 Pale- to Dark-green, may vitreous to sub- DIOPSIDE Monoclinic usually as eq
prismatic – Pyroxene Group: be White or Greenish- vitreous, may be dull CaMgSi2O6 slender prism
good to perfect in both white to Greyish-white tabular, also
directions
Two directions at nearly 90o, 5½ to 6 Pale- to Dark-green, vitreous to sub- HEDENBERGITE Monoclinic usually as m
prismatic – Pyroxene Group: Brownish-green to vitreous, may be dull CaFe Si2O6 fillings in ro
good in both directions Brownish- or Greenish- prismatic, sle
black more rarely t

Two directions at nearly 90o, 5½ to 6 Greenish-black to Black, vitreous to sub- AUGITE Monoclinic usually granu
prismatic – Pyroxene Group: Light- to Dark-brown vitreous, may be dull (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al,Ti)(Si,Al)2O6 flattened sho
good in both directions
Two directions at nearly 90o, 5½ to 6 Dark-green or Reddish- vitreous to sub- AEGIRINE (ACMITE) Monoclinic usually as sle
prismatic – Pyroxene Group: brown to Black vitreous, may be dull NaFeSi2O6 crystals, eith
good to perfect in both acicular aggr
directions
Three cleavage directions, 3, may be 2 across usually Clear or White to vitreous to sub- CALCITE Trigonal may be in cle
rhombohedral – Trigonal the top surface of Tan or Grey, but may be vitreous luster, may be CaCO3 rhombs, gran
Carbonates: perfect in all prismatic crystals tinted many colors waxy or dull on marble), scal
three directions with a flat weathered crystals, crystals, rhom
termination pearly on cleavage rhombohedra
surfaces wide variety
over 800 cry
species to da
Three cleavage directions, 3½ to 4½ White to Grey, may be vitreous to sub- MAGNESITE Trigonal usually mass
rhombohedral – Trigonal tinted Yellowish to vitreous, may be (Calcite Group) rhombohedra
Carbonates: perfect in all Brownish pearly on cleavage MgCO3
three directions surfaces
Three cleavage directions, 3½ to 4 White to Tan or Pink, usually vitreous to DOLOMITE Trigonal usually as m
rhombohedral – Trigonal Grey, Greenish, tends sub-vitreous, but may CaMg(CO3)2 rhombohedra
Carbonates: perfect in all towards Brown with be pearly shape, druze
three directions increasing Fe, Red with "saddleback"
Mn
Three cleavage directions, 3½ to 4 White to Tan or Brown usually vitreous to ANKERITE Trigonal usually mas
rhombohedral – Trigonal subvitreous, but may (Dolomite Group) rhombohedra
Carbonates: perfect in all be pearly Ca(Fe,Mg,Mn)(CO3)2
three directions
Three cleavage directions, 3½ to 4 White to Pale-rose vitreous to sub- KUTNOHORITE Trigonal usually mas
rhombohedral – Trigonal vitreous, but may be (Dolomite Group) rhombs, mor
Carbonates: perfect in all pearly Ca(Mn,Mg,Fe) (CO3)2 crystals
three directions
Three cleavage directions, 3½ to 4 Pink to Red, in various vitreous to sub- RHODOCHROSITE Trigonal usually in co
rhombohedral – Trigonal shades, also more rarely vitreous, may be (Calcite Group) masses, crys
Carbonates: perfect in all Yellow-grey or Tan to pearly on cleavage MnCO3 botryoidal an
three directions Brown surfaces banding, and
Three cleavage directions, 4 to 4½ Greyish-white to Dark- vitreous to sub- SMITHSONITE Trigonal usually in bo
rhombohedral – Trigonal grey, Greenish- or vitreous, may look (Calcite Group) masses, rhom
Carbonates: perfect in all Brownish-white, may be somewhat porcelain- ZnCO3 usually crude
three directions Green to Apple-green, like rough surfac
Blue to Blue-green,
Yellow, Pink or Brown
Three cleavage directions, 3½ to 4 Dark-brown to Tan to vitreous to sub- SIDERITE Trigonal usually in cle
rhombohedral – Trigonal Cream, may be Blackish- vitreous, may be oily (Calcite Group) masses, thou
Carbonates: perfect in all brown due to weathering to resinous on FeCO3 crystals rhom
three directions weathered, oxidized very rarely p
surfaces
Three cleavage directions – 3 to 5 Colorless to White, may vitreous to sub- CHABAZITE Triclinic, pseudo- usually as di
perfect to distinct in all three be tinted various colors vitreous (Zeolite Group) trigonal rhombohedra
directions, rhombohedral (Ca0.5,K,Na)4[Al4Si8O22].12H2O of six triclini
tabular, then
("phacolitic"
Three cleavage directions – 4 to 4½ Colorless to White, may vitreous to subvitreous LEVYNE Trigonal usually as sm
perfect to distinct in all three be tinted various colors (Zeolite Group) crystals
directions, rhombohedral (Ca0.5,Na,K)6[Al6Si12O36].~17H2O
Three cleavage directions – 3 to 4 White usually tinted vitreous, pearly on LAUMONTITE Monoclinic usually as sim
Perfect in two directions, other colors cleavage surface, (Zeolite Group) square cross
imperfect in a third, all chalky when Ca4[Al8Si16O48].18H2O crystals
prismatic dehydrated
Three cleavage directions – 3 to 3½ Colorless to White, vitreous to sub- ANHYDRITE Orthorhombic usually in co
one cleavage perfect, one usually tinted other vitreous, may be CaSO4 showing pse
imperfect, both prismatic, colors pearly on cleavage or fibrous, cr
one good, basal surfaces equant or thi
Three cleavage directions – 3 to 3½ Colorless to White or vitreous, pearly on BARITE Orthorhombic usually in clu
Perfect in two directions, Greyish-white, may be basal cleavage surfaces BaSO4 tabular cryst
basal and prismatic, tinted other colors, streak
imperfect in a third, prismatic white
(rhombic overall)
Three cleavage directions – 3 to 3½ White to Greyish-white, vitreous, pearly on CELESTITE (Celestine) Orthorhombic usually in clu
Perfect in one direction, Blue, may be tinted other basal cleavage (Barite Group) tabular cryst
basal, good in a second and colors, streak white surfaces, SrSO4
fair to poor in a third, both
prismatic (rhombic overall)
Three cleavage directions – 2½ to 3 Colorless to White or adamantine to sub- ANGLESITE Orthorhombic usually in cr
one distinct (prismatic), Greyish-white to adamantine, may be (Barite Group) usually smal
second direction good Greyish-brown vitreous to resinous on PbSO4
(basal), and fair to poor in a some surfaces
third, (prismatic); rhombic
overall – may be difficult to
see all three
Three cleavage directions – 3 to 3½ Colorless to White or vitreous and/or pearly. ANHYDRITE Orthorhombic usually in co
perfect in two directions, Greyish-white, may be CaSO4 exhibiting ps
prismatic, good to imperfect tinted other colors granular mas
in a thrid, basal crystals rare
tabular
Four cleavage directions - 4 Colorless, Green, Purple, vitreous FLUORITE Isometric usually in cu
perfect in all four directions, Blue, Yellow, Pink CaF2 crystalline m
octahedral cleavage, cry
Four cleavage directions - 5 to 6 White to Grey, vitreous to MARIALITE-MEIONITE Tetragonal usually mass
imperfect to distinct in two Yellowish, Brownish, subvitreous, may be (Scapolite series) with column
directions, good in two Orange, Purple dull also 3NaAlSi3O8.NaCl – surfaces, also
directions, all prismatic 3CaAl2Si2O8.CaCO3 crystals with
usually some

Six cleavage directions - 3½ to 4 Brown to Black, Yellow- resinous, but may be SPHALERITE Isometric usually in co
perfect in all six directions, brown to Greenish- oily or sub-metallic on (Zn,Fe)S masses exhib
dodecahedral, but difficult to yellow-brown, may also cleavage surfaces and cleavage sur
produce in some of them be Red in small crystals adamantine in small (wedge-shap
crystals ball-shaped)
be somewha
aggregates
Six cleavage directions - 5½ to 6 Medium-Blue to Violet- vitreous to SODALITE Isometric usually as gr
poor to distinct in all six blue, Greyish-white to subvitreous, may be Na8Al6Si6O24Cl2 matrix, some
directions, dodecahedral, White, more rarely somewhat dull in crystals rare,
may not be seen Greenish- or Yellowish- massive material dodecahedra
white
Six cleavage directions - poor 5 to 5½ Deep-blue to Medium- dull to vitreous LAZURITE Isometric, usually as co
to distinct in all six Blue or Violet-blue, may (Sodalite Group) Triclinic, and grains, crysta
directions, dodecahedral, be Greenish-blue, (Na,Ca)7-8(Al,Si)12(O,S)24[(SO4),Cl2, Monoclinic dodecahedra
may not be seen Colorless (OH)2] polytypes
Notes:
Single and double cleavage direction Zeolites can be difficult to tell apart. Hardness may help to distinguish
the harder and softer species from one another, and crystal habit and form may help to tell some species
apart. In general, habits and forms taken with hardnesses are the best indicators.
Amphiboles are a large and difficult group to tell apart. The best bet is site-specific knowledge.
Pyroxenes can be difficult to distinguish from one another. Locality information is usually the best bet for
determining what you have.
Table IID-2: Nonmetallic Luster; Hardness greater than 3 but less than 5½, Cleavage not prominent:
(Can not be scratched by a copper penny, can be scratched by a knife, streak white or none.)
Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

2½ to 3 Bright-yellow, Orange- sub-adamantine to WULFENITE Tetragonal, usually as thin platy to thin tabular
yellow, Orange, Red, Grey, vitreous, may be greasy PbMoO4 pyramidal, more rarely prismatic
Green, White
2½ to 3 Orange-red to Ruby-red, sub-vitreous to sub- VANADINITE Hexagonal usually in barrel-shaped hexagonal
Brownish-red to Brownish- resinous (Apatite Group) prismatic, may be acicular in cluste
yellow or pale Straw-yellow Pb5(VO4)3Cl and as hollow prisms – "hopper" cr
2½ to 4, rarely 5 to 6 Apple-green to Yellow-green, sub-vitreous to greasy ANTIGORITE/LIZARDITE/ Monoclinic, usually as crystalline masses, often
in dense massive Dark-green to Dark Grey- AMESITE Orthorhombic and
material green, Greenish-black, White, (Serpentine Group) Triclinic
often mottled Generally
(Mg,Al)3(Si,AL)2O5(OH)4
3, but may be 2 across usually Clear or White to Tan vitreous to sub-vitreous CALCITE Trigonal may be in banded masses or stalact
the top surface of or Grey, but may be tinted (certain massive forms) masses (limestone and marble), or
prismatic crystals with many colors CaCO3
a flat termination
3 to 3½ Colorless to White or vitreous to sub-vitreous WITHERITE Orthorhombic, in coarse fibrous aggregates, may b
Greyish-white, may be tinted (certain massive forms - Aragonite pseudo-hexagonal more rarely as globular to botryoid
other colors Group)
BaCO3
3½ Bright-green to Yellow- sub-vitreous to resinous PYROMORPHITE Hexagonal usually in barrel-shaped hexagonal
green, Yellow to Orange- (Apatite Group) spindle-shaped, hollow – "hopper"
yellow, Brown, White, Pb5(PO4)3Cl tabular or pyramidal, crystals may
colorless or structural zones due to zoned va
3½ to 4 Pale-yellow to Yellow- sub-vitreous to resinous MIMETITE Hexagonal usually in simple barrel-shaped cry
brown, Orange-yellow to (Apatite Group) acicular, may be botryoidal or glob
Orange-red, White or Pb5(AsO4)3Cl
Colorless
3½ to 4 Colorless to White or Grey, vitreous to sub-vitreous ARAGONITE Orthorhombic in columnar, radiating or stellate ag
may be tinted other colors or resinous (certain massive forms)
CaCO3
3½ to 4 Colorless to White or Grey, vitreous to sub- STRONTIANITE Orthorhombic in granular or fibrous aggregates, m
may be tinted other colors vitreous, silky when (Aragonite Group) short prismatic to acicular, often ps
fibrous SrCO3 section (Ca-rich)
3½ to 4½ White to Grey, may be tinted vitreous to sub- MAGNESITE Trigonal usually massive, granular, crystals
Yellowish to Brownish vitreous, may be pearly (Calcite Group) prismatic but are rare
on cleavage surfaces MgCO3
3½ to 4 White to Greyish-white, dull to sub-vitreous ALUNITE Trigonal usually massive, granular to dense,
Reddish to Reddish-brown, KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6 kaolinite, etc
Yellowish
3½ to 4 Yellowish-green, Green to vitreous to pearly or WAVELLITE Orthorhombic usually stellate or hemispherical ra
Yellow, Yellow-brown, resinous Al3(PO4)2(OH,F)3.5H2O crystals
Brown, more rarely Blue,
White, Colorless
4 to 4½ Greyish-white to Dark-grey, vitreous to sub- SMITHSONITE Trigonal usually in botryoidal, reniform, and
Greenish- or Brownish-white, vitreous, may look (Calcite Group) rhombohedral crystals rare and usu
may be Green to Apple-green, somewhat porcelain- ZnCO3 somewhat curved and rough surfac
Blue to Blue-green, Yellow, like
Pink or Brown
4½ to 5 Colorless to White, may be vitreous, pearly on HEMIMORPHITE Orthorhombic usually in radiating clusters of acic
Pale-yellow, Pale-green, Sky- some cleavage surfaces Zn4Si2O7(OH)2.H2O flattened long prismatic crystals, m
blue, Pale-brown botryoidal crusts of thick to almost
4½ to 5 White to Colorless, Pale- vitreous to adamantine SCHEELITE Tetragonal usually as grains or flakes, crystals
yellow, Pale-green, Pale- CaWO4 platy to thin tabular or short-prisma
orange
4½ to 5 White, Pale-pink, Pale-tan, vitreous to silky in PECTOLITE Triclinic usually in acicular sprays or radial
Pale-blue fibrous material (Wollastonite Group)
NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
5 to 5½ Pale-pink, Colorless to White, usually vitreous to silky NATROLITE Orthorhombic usually as long slender needles in s
may be Grey or other colors in finer acicular (Zeolite Group) aggregates, may also be in jackstra
aggregates, but may be Na2[Al2Si3O10].2H2O
dull or even greasy
5 to 5½ Colorless to White, may be vitreous ANALCIME Polymorphous (Iso., usually in cubic or trapezohedral cr
Yellow, Pink, or other colors (Zeolite Group) Tet., Orth., Mon., masses, more rarely in other crysta
Na[AlSi2O6].H2O Tric., Trig.)
5 to5½ White, usually tinted Pale- vitreous to greasy DATOLITE Monoclinic may be either platy to short prisma
green, may be Pale-blue (Gadolinite Group) more rarely as spherical aggregates
Ca2B2Si2O8(OH) compact
5 to 6 White, Yellow, Red, Brown, OPAL Amorphous glassy massive material, as fracture
Black SiO2.nH2O "nodules," etc.
5 to 6 White to Grey, Yellowish, vitreous to subvitreous, MARIALITE-MEIONITE Tetragonal usually massive, either columnar o
Brownish, Orange, Purple may be dull (Scapolite series) masses may exhibit prismatic cleav
3NaAlSi3O8. NaCl - short to medium prismatic crystals
3CaAl2Si2O8.CaCO3 terminations, usually somewhat cru

5 White to Colorless, Greens, vitreous to sub- FLUORAPATITE Hexagonal variable, may be massive, compact
Blues, Lavender, Yellows, vitreous, may be dull in (Apatite Group) in short- to long-prismatic crystals
Purples massive material Ca5(PO4)3F habits, the hexagonal prism with py
being the most common, but may a
and even bipyramidal without the p
acicular
5 to 5½ Yellowish- or Reddish-brown resinous to waxy MONAZITE Monoclinic usually in crude blocky to tabular c
to Brown, Pale-green to (Ce,La,Y,Th)PO4 also as rounded grains
nearly White

5 to 5½ Light-green to Yellow-green, vitreous, occasionally WILLEMITE Trigonal usually massively crystalline or gra
Yellow-brown to Reddish- resinous Zn2SiO4 hexagonal crystals
brown, Colorless
5½ to 6 Medium-Blue to Violet-blue, vitreous to subvitreous SODALITE Isometric usually as granular masses or grain
Greyish-white to White, more Na8Al6Si6O24Cl2 crudely cleavable, crystals rare, usu
rarely Greenish- or cubo-dodecahedral, rarely octahedr
Yellowish-white
5 to 5½ Deep-blue to Medium-Blue LAZURITE Isometric, Triclinic, usually as compact massive materi
or Violet-blue, may be (Sodalite Group) and Monoclinic usually well-formed dodecahedral
Greenish-blue, Colorless (Na,Ca)7-8(Al,Si)12(O,S)24[(SO4),Cl2, polytypes
(OH)2]

Table IIIA-1: Hardness greater than 5½ but less than 7; Cleavage prominent (Can not be scratched by
a knife, can be scratched by quartz.)

Perfect in one direction 4 to 5 parallel to Blue, Green, Grey, White, very Vitreous to sub-vitreous KYANITE Triclinic Usually in
(prismatic) cleavage and rarely Black Al2SiO5 radiating,
crystal faces, 6 to crystals
7 across crystal
and cleavage
faces
Perfect in one direction 5 to 6½ Light-brown to Black Resinous or pitchy/ ALLANITE-(Ce) Monoclinic usually in
(prismatic) submetallic (Epidote Group) crystals no
(Ce,Ca,Y)2(Al,Fe,Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH) grained w
Perfect in one direction 6½ to 7 Green to Yellow-green, Yellow, vitreous to sub-vitreous , EPIDOTE Monoclinic usually in
(prismatic) Grey, Brownish-green, dull in weathered crystals Ca2(Fe,AL)3(SiO4)3(OH) also be th
Greenish-black, Black and massive materials coarse to

Perfect in one direction 6 to 7 Grey, Green to Yellowish-green, vitreous, may be pearly on ZOISITE Orthorhombic usually in
(prismatic) Pinkish, Brown, Blue, Purple, cleavage surfaces (Epidote Group) with verti
Colorless Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH) as well-fo
singly
Perfect in one direction 6½ to 7 Colorless to White, Grey, Pale- vitreous to subvitreous, silky SILLIMANITE Orthorhombic usually as
(prismatic) brown to Pale-yellow, more in fibrous material, may be Al2SiO5 square cro
rarely Pale-blue to Pale-green dull on weathered surfaces fibrous ag
Two cleavage directions at 6½ to 7 White to Greyish-white, vitreous to sub-adamantine, DIASPORE Orthorhombic usually in
or nearly 90o. Perfect in one Colorless, Pinkish-white to Pale- "brilliant" AlO(OH) crystals th
direction (prismatic) lavender, more rarely Greenish acicular, r
to Yellowish, Brown, Rose-red
to Dark-red
Perfect in two directions 6 Brown to Greenish-brown, Vitreous PIGEONITE Monoclinic Usually as
(prismatic) Colorless, Black (Pyroxene Group) cooled lav
(Mg,Fe,Ca)(Mg,Fe)Si2O
Perfect in two directions 6½ to 7 Grey to White, Colorless, Tan, vitreous to sub-vitreous SPODUMENE Monoclinic usually in
(prismatic) Yellow, Pale-green to Bright- (Pyroxene Group) wedge-sh
green ("hiddenite"), Pink to LiAlSi2O6 triangle no
Lilac to Violet ("kunzite") flattened c
perfect in two directions 6 to 7 Dark-green to Medium-Green to vitreous to sub-vitreous, JADEITE Monoclinic usually in
(prismatic), (more rarely) Pale-green, White may be dull in granular (Pyroxene Group) or short fi
often not apparent to Grey or Bluish-grey, material Na(Al,Fe)Si2O6
Lavender to Violet

Perfect in one direction, 6 to 6½ White to colorless, Cream to vitreous to sub-vitreous, MICROCLINE Triclinic usually as
good in the second Tan and Pale-yellow, Salmon- may exhibit opalescence (Feldspar Group) masses or
(prismatic) pink to Red, Green to Blue- ("adularia") KAlSi3O8 of meters
green prismatic
Perfect in one direction, 6 to 6½ White to colorless, Cream to vitreous to sub-vitreous, ORTHOCLASE Monoclinic usually m
imperfect in the second Tan to Pale-yellow, Pink to may be dull in granular (Feldspar Group) granular,
(prismatic) Brownish-red masses, may exhibit pale KalSi3O8 blocky, of
blue to white opalescence
("moonstone")
Perfect in one direction, 6 to 6½ White to Light-grey and vitreous, labradorite exhibits ALBITE – ANORTHITE Triclinic usually m
good in the second Colorless, in albite, may be opalescence/ (Plagioclase Series) lamellar h
(prismatic) tinged blue or green, darkening "labradorescence" NaAlSi3O8 – CaAl2Si2O8 randomly
to Dark-grey to Black in anorthite e
anorthite, intermediate members labradorit
medium to darker greys (rarer twinned in
than end members) twinned in
intermedi
Perfect in one direction 5½ to 6½ Pink to Rose-red to Brownish- vitreous to sub-vitreous, RHODONITE Triclinic usually m
(prismatic), good in the red, may also be Orangish-red in may be dull in massive (Mn,Fe,Mg,Ca) SiO3 crystals ta
other (pinacoidal) some weathered material material
Perfect in one direction 5½ to 6 vitreous to splendant Black to dark Greenish- BABINGTONITE Triclinic usually as
(prismatic), imperfect in black (Rhodonite Group)
the other (pinacoidal) Ca2(Fe,Mn)FeSi5O14(OH)
Perfect in one direction, 5 to 5½ Yellowish-brown to Greenish- vitreous to sub-vitreous, TITANITE ("SPHENE") Monoclinic usually in
imperfect in the second brown may be somewhat resinous CaTiSiO5 crystals, w
direction (both prismatic) or oily.
Perfect in two directions 6½ Pale Yellowish-grey to vitreous to sub-vitreous CLINOZOISITE Monoclinic usually as
(prismatic and pinacoidal) Yellowish- (Epidote Group) prismatic,
green, Colorless, Pale-rose to Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH)
Red
perfect in one direction 5½ to 6 White to Milky- or Cream- vitreous to greasy AMBLYGONITE- Triclinic usually as
(prismatic), imperfect in white, Grey, Yellowish to Tan MONTEBRASITE crystals, m
another (pinacoidal), or Beige, Salmon-pink, may also LiAl(PO4)F – LiAl(PO4)(OH) and as ma
distinct in a third be Greenish or Bluish, Colorless granular
(prismatic), and may have a
fourth, good, direction
(prismatic)
Note: Two cleavage directions at ~56o and ~124o = Amphibole Group. A number of the Amphiboles have
hardnesses in the 5 to 6 range, spanning previous sections and this one, and may key out to this point. See
IID-1.
Table IIIA-2: Nonmetallic Luster; Hardness Greater Than 5½ and Less Than 7; Cleavage not
prominent. (Can not be scratched by a knife blade, but can be scratched by quartz)

5 to 5½ Colorless to White, usually vitreous to greasy DATOLITE Monoclinic may be either platy to short-prismatic o
tinted Pale-green, may be (Gadolinite Group) crystals, more rarely as spherical aggre
Pale-blue Ca2B2Si2O8(OH)2 massive, granular to compact
5 to 6 White, Yellow, Red, Brown, glassy OPAL amorphous massive, as fracture fillings, coatings,
Black SiO2.nH2O "nodules," etc.
5 to 5½ Azure-blue to Sky-blue, more vitreous to sub-vitreous LAZULITE-SCORZALITE Monoclinic usually as finely crystalline crusts or gr
rarely Bluish-white to Bluish- MgAl2(PO4)2 (OH)2 – crystals rare and usually millimeter siz
green FeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2 pyramidal, tabular
5 to 6 Sky-blue to Bluish-green to vitreous to sub-vitreous TURQUOISE Triclinic usually massive in crusts and fracture f
Apple-green, Green-grey CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8.4H2O dense to finely crystalline, crystals rare
prismatic
5 to 6 White to Grey, Yellowish, MARIALITE-MEIONITE Tetragonal usually massive, either columnar or fib
Brownish, Orange, Purple (Scapolite series) (columnar masses may exhibit prismat
3NaAlSi3O8.NaCl – cleavage surfaces), also as short to med
3CaAl2Si2O8.CaCO3 prismatic crystals with bipyramidal
terminations, usually somewhat crude
5½ Light-green to Yellow-green, vitreous, to resinous WILLEMITE Trigonal usually massively crystalline or granul
Yellow-brown to Reddish- (Phenakite Group) in prismatic hexagonal crystals
brown, Colorless Zn2SiO4
5½ to 6 Greyish-white to White, vitreous to sub-vitreous, may be LEUCITE Tetragonal and usually massive, granular, disseminated
Colorless dull K(AlSi2O6) Isometric crystals equant or blocky (soccer ball s
often multiply twinned
5½ to 6 White, often tinted yellowish vitreous to greasy NEPHELINE Hexagonal usually as crystalline grains or massive
or greenish, Grey, Reddish- (Na,K)AlSiO4 crystalline, crystals rare, hexagonal pri
brown pinacoidal or pyramidal terminations
5½ to 6 Black to Light-brown resinous or pitchy, may appear sub- ALLANITE-(Ce) Monoclinic usually massive, may be platy, metami
metallic (Epidote Group) crystals extremely rare or unknown?
(Ce,Ca,Y)2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH)
5½ to 6½ Colorless to White or Greyish- vitreous EUCRYPTITE Trigonal usually coarsely crystalline, granular o
white, Pale-tan (Phenakite Group) compact, crystals equant
LiAlSiO4
5 to 6½ Green or Chartreuse, Yellow vitreous to sub-vitreous VESUVIANITE Tetragonal usually as stout prismatic crystals
to Yellow-green to Yellow- ("Idocrase")
Brown to Brown, Pink to Red, Ca10Mg2Al4(SiO4)5(Si2O7)2(OH)4
Black, White, Purple, Blue
6 to 6½ Pale-yellow, Brownish-red to vitreous to greasy CHONDRODITE Monoclinic usually in equant crystalline grains, cry
Reddish- or Greenish-brown, (Humite Group) equant, blocky
Pale-orange (Mg,Fe)5(SiO4)2(F,OH)2
6 to 6½ Yellow to Dark-orange, vitreous to sub-vitreous HUMITE Orthorhombic usually in equant crystalline grains, cry
Reddish-orange (Mg,Fe)7(SiO4)3(F,OH)2 extremely rare, also equant, blocky
6 to 6½ Pale- to Medium-green, Pale- vitreous to sub-vitreous, may be PREHNITE Orthorhombic usually botryoidal to mammillary aggr
yellow, Tan to Pinkish-tan, somewhat pearly on freshly broken Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2 encrusting matrix, also stalactic and as
Grey to White exposures "bowtie" or "hourglass" aggregates, cry
extremely rare, short-prismatic to tabul
6 to 6½ Dark Reddish-brown to Black usually sub-adamantine to RUTILE Tetragonal usually as prismatic to acicular crystals
adamantine, but may also be TiO2 reticulated, may be vertically striated
metallic
6½ Black metallic to submetallic PYROLUSITE Tetragonal usually in earthy masses with a much l
(Rutile Group) hardness (2), but actual crystals are 6½
MnO2 short-prismatic to equant, usually in dr
small crystals
6 to 7 Black to Dark-brown, may adamantine to metallic in crystals, CASSITERITE Tetragonal usually massive as botryoidal crusts or
also be Yellowish-grey, more greasy on fracture surfaces, may be (Rutile Group) concretions ("wood tin"), crystals usua
rarely Red, White or Colorless earthy or submetallic in botryoids, SnO2 prismatic and complexly twinned prod
concretions, and massive forms unusual shapes ("knees," stubby five-p
"stars," etc.)
6½ to 7 Grey to Bluish-grey, Brown to vitreous to sub-vitreous FERRO-AXINITE – Triclinic usually as thin wedge-shaped "axhead"
Honey-brown or Yellow to MANGANAXINITE often arranged in rosettes
Golden-brown, more rarely Ca2FeAl2BSi4O15(OH) –
Green or Violet Ca2MnAl2BSi4O15(OH)
6½ to 7 Pale-yellow to Olive-green to vitreous to sub-vitreous (forsterite) FAYALITE – FORSTERITE Orthorhombic usually as crystalline massive or granu
Olive-brown, Black or submetallic to dull (fayalite) (Olivine Group) crystals short-prismatic
Fe2(SiO4) – Mg2(SiO4)
Table IIIB-1: Nonmetallic Luster; Hardness 7 to 10; Has a Prominent Cleavage. (Can not be
scratched by quartz.)
One cleavage direction: perfect 6 to 7 Grey, Green to Yellowish-green, Pinkish, vitreous, may be pearly on ZOISITE Orthorhombic usually in
(prismatic) Brown, Blue, Purple, Colorless cleavage surfaces (Epidote Group) vertical str
Ca2Al3(SiO4)3(OH) formed pri
One cleavage direction: perfect 6½ to 7 Green to Yellow-green, Yellow, Grey, vitreous to sub-vitreous, dull EPIDOTE Monoclinic usually in
(prismatic) Brownish-green, Greenish-black, Black in weathered crystals and Ca2(Fe,Al)3(SiO4)3(OH) thick tabul
massive materials known), m
One cleavage direction: perfect 6½ to 7 Colorless to White, Grey, Pale-brown to vitreous to subvitreous, silky SILLIMANITE Orthorhombic usually as
(prismatic) Pale-yellow, more rarely Pale-blue to Pale- in fibrous material, may be Al2SiO5 cross-secti
green dull on weathered surfaces muscovite
("fibrolite"
One cleavage direction: perfect 6½ to 7 White to Greyish-white, Colorless, vitreous to sub-adamantine, DIASPORE Orthorhombic usually in
(prismatic) Pinkish-white to Pale-lavender, more "brilliant" AlO(OH) thin, platy,
rarely Greenish to Yellowish, Brown,
Rose-red to Dark-red
One cleavage direction: perfect 8 Colorless to Milky-white, Yellowish, to vitreous, may be somewhat TOPAZ Orthorhombic usually as
(pinacoidal, basal) Brownish, Pinkish, Bluish, Greenish greasy on fracture surfaces Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 without py
Two cleavage directions: perfect 6 to 7 Dark-green to Medium-Green to (more luster vitreous to sub- JADEITE Monoclinic usually in
in both directions (prismatic) rarely) Pale-green, White to Grey or vitreous, may be dull in (Pyroxene Group) fibrous, wi
Bluish-grey, Lavender to Violet granular material Na(Al,Fe)Si2O6
Two cleavage directions: perfect 6½ to 7 Grey to White, Colorless, Tan, Yellow, vitreous to sub-vitreous SPODUMENE Monoclinic usually in
in both directions (prismatic) Pale-green to Bright-green ("hiddenite"), (Pyroxene Group) shaped cro
Pink to Lilac to Violet ("kunzite") LiAlSi2O6 developed
terminatio
Two cleavage directions: one 6½ to 7 Colorless to White, more rarely Pale- vitreous BERTRANDITE Orthorhombic usually as
perfect (basal) and one good yellow, Pale-ping or Pale-brown Be4Si2O7(OH)2 aggregates
(prismatic)
Three parting directions: fair 9 Dark-grey to Light-grey to Blue-grey to vitreous to sub-vitreous and CORUNDUM Trigonal usually ma
rhombohedral and basal (looks Blue (sapphire), Red (ruby), and Yellow, dull Al2O3 prismatic h
like cleavage on a small scale) Brown and Green in sapphire
Four cleavage directions: perfect 10 Colorless to Yellow, Brown or Grey, may adamantine DIAMOND Isometric typically in
in four directions (pyramidal) be Pink, Red, Blue, Green, and Black due C somewhat
to inclusions tetrahedral
somewhat
Table IIIB-2: Nonmetallic Luster; Hardness 7 to 10; Cleavage not prominent.. (Can not be scratched
by quartz.)

6 to 7 Black to Dark-brown, may adamantine to metallic in CASSITERITE Tetragonal usually massive as botryoidal crus
also be Yellowish-grey, crystals, greasy on fracture (Rutile Group) usually short prismatic and comple
more rarely Red, White or surfaces, may be earthy or SnO2 ("knees," stubby five-pointed "star
Colorless submetallic in botryoids,
concretions, and massive
forms
6½ to 7 Grey to Bluish-grey, Brown vitreous to sub-vitreous FERRO-AXINITE – Triclinic usually as thin wedge-shaped "axh
to Honey-brown or Yellow MANGANAXINITE rosettes
to Golden-brown, more Ca2FeAl2BSi4O15(OH) – Ca2MnAl2BSi4O15(OH)
rarely Green or Violet
6½ to 7 Pale-yellow to Olive-green vitreous to sub-vitreous FAYALITE – Orthorhombic usually as crystalline massive or g
to Olive-brown, Black (forsterite) or submetallic FORSTERITE
to dull (fayalite (Olivine Group)
Fe2(SiO4) – Mg2(SiO4)
6½ to 7 Color: Colorless to White, vitreous BERTRANDITE Orthorhombic usually as tiny to micro tabular cry
more rarely Pale-yellow, Be4Si2O7(OH)2
Pale-pink or Pale-brown
7 Colorless, Milky, Smoky- vitreous QUARTZ Trigonal usually in pyramidaly terminated p
grey to Black, Amethyst, (Crystalline) massive, "rock crystal," "smoky" a
Rose, Yellow to Brownish- SiO2 large, "citrine" usually small to me
yellow, may be tinted other small to micro-scale
shades by inclusions
7 Colorless, Milky, Grey to vitreous to waxy to dull QUARTZ Trigonal "Chalcedony" as cryptocrystalline
Black, Red, Yellow to (Crypto- and Non-crystalline) masses, un-banded or un-patterned
Brownish-yellow, Brown, SiO2 red, "chrysoprase" is green due to
Green, Blue, may be tinted green with small red jasper flecks
other shades by inclusions sub-variety agate" in circular, conc
patterned masses with considerabl
waxy to vitreous luster; "chalcedon
layers instead of concentric ones (
black layers).
7 Colorless, Milky-white, vitreous CRISTOBALITE Tetragonal usually as micro-spherical aggrega
Pale-grey, Yellowish, and SiO2 (pseudo crystals very rare, usually micro-o
Brownish Isometric)
7 Colorless, Milky-white vitreous TRIDYMITE Orthorhombic & usually as thin to thick tabular or t
SiO2 Hexagonal
7 to 7½ Black to Bluish-black or vitreous to sub-vitreous, SCHORL – UVITE Trigonal schorl usually in stout long-prisma
Brownish-black or may appear somewhat oily (Tourmaline Group) triangular cross-section, uvite usua
Greenish-black on fracture surfaces NaFe3Al6 (BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH)4 – (Ca,Na) sometimes appearing almost pyram
(Mg,Fe)3Al5Mg(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH,F)4 identical habits, both may also be
7 to 7½ Black to Brownish-black or vitreous to sub-vitreous, DRAVITE Trigonal usually as stout prismatic hexagon
Brown may appear oily on (Tourmaline Group) termination at one end and a pedia
fracture surfaces NaMg3Al6(BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH)4
7 to 7½ Dark Emerald-green to vitreous, may appear oily CHROMEDRAVITE Trigonal usually as small to tiny nearly equ
Greenish-black to Black on fracture surfaces (Tourmaline Group)
NaMg3(Cr,Fe)6 (BO3)3 (Si6O18)(OH)4
7 to 7½ Light- to Medium-green, vitreous to oily ELBAITE Trigonal usually in slender prismatic hexag
Pink to Red, Light- to (Tourmaline Group) cross-section, often appearing som
Medium-blue to Dark-Blue, Na(Li,Al)3Al6 (BO3)3(Si6O18)(OH)4 pyramidal or pedial, or both at diff
more rarely Light-brown to
Yellow, Colorless

7 to7½ Deep-green to "Rusty"- vitreous UVAROVITE Isometric usually as small to tiny dodecahed
green (Garnet Group)
Ca3Cr2(SiO4)3
7 to7½ Pink to Red, Brownish- vitreous GROSSULAR Isometric usually as small dodecahedral crys
orange to Orange, (Garnet Group)
Cinnamon, Yellow to Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
Yellow-green, Pale-green to
Grass-green to Emerald-
green, Colorless
7 to7½ Brown, Brownish-red to vitreous ANDRADITE Isometric usually as small to medium sized d
Brownish-yellow, Yellow to (Garnet Group)
Yellow-green, Greyish- Ca3Fe2(SiO4)3
green to Medium- or Deep-
green, Black
7 to 7½ Black to Brownish-black vitreous SCHORLOMITE Isometric usually as small dodecahedral crys
(Garnet Group)
Ca3Ti2(Fe2Si)O12
7 to 7½ Dark-red to Violet Red or vitreous PYROPE Isometric usually as small to tiny dodecahed
deep Rose-Red, also (Garnet Group)
Reddish-orange Mg3Al2(SiO4)3
7 to 7½ Brown to Brownish-red to vitreous ALMANDINE Isometric usually as dodecahedral crystals

Red, Violet-red or (Garnet Group)
Orangish-red Fe3Al2(SiO4)3
7 to 7½ Orangish-red to Reddish- vitreous SPESSARTINE Isometric usually as medium to tiny dodecah
orange, Rose-red to Ruby- (Garnet Group)
red or Hyacinth-red, Mn3Al2(SiO4)3
Reddish-brown, Pale-yellow
7 to 7½ Medium- to Dark-brown, vitreous to sub-vitreous, STAUROLITE Monoclinic usually as either short- to long-pris
Reddish-brown may also be dull (Fe,Mg,Zn)2Al9(Si,Al)4O22(OH)2 pseudo. ("fairy crosses"), with twining at e
Orthorhombic
7 to 7½ Greyish-blue to Blue, Grey, vitreous to oily CORDIERITE Orthorhombic usually granular or massively crys
Greenish-blue, Violet (Beryl Group?) prismatic
(Mg,Fe)2Al3[AlSi5O18] . H2O
7½ Reddish-brown to Pale-Pink vitreous to sub-vitreous, ANDALUSITE Orthorhombic usually as prismatic crystals with a
to Deep-pink/Flesh-colored, may be dull Al2SiO5 tapered in both directions from the
White to Grey to Bluish- on the cross section due to carbona
grey to Blue, Olive-green,
Green, Violet, Yellow
7½ Brown, White, Yellow, adamantine, oily on ZIRCON Tetragonal usually as small tetragonal prisms
Orange, Green, Blue fracture surfaces ZrSiO4 be bipyramidal without the prism
7½ to 8 Pale-blue to Pale-green vitreous BERYL Hexagonal usually as stout prismatic hexagon

(gem: "aquamarine") Be3Al2Si6O18
Yellow to Golden-yellow
(gem: "heliodore"),
Pink to light-red (gem:
"morganite"),
White to Tan,
Emerald-green (gem:
"emerald")
Colorless
7½ to 8 White to colorless vitreous PHENAKITE Trigonal usually massive, granular, and as m
Be2SiO4 as prismatic crystals
7½ to 8 Dark-green to Greenish- vitreous to sub-vitreous, GAHNITE Isometric usually massive, granular, also as
black, more rarely Dark- may be dull (Spinel Group) sharp
yellow to Pale-Yellow ZnAl2O4
7½ to 8 Red, Black, Brown, Blue, vitreous to sub-vitreous SPINEL Isometric usually massive, granular, and as o
Green MgAl2O4
8½ Yellow to Emerald-green vitreous CHRYSOBERYL Orthorhombic usually as tabular or prismatic crys
BeAl2O4 shapes, may also be cyclically twin
9 Dark-grey to Light-grey to vitreous to sub-vitreous CORUNDUM Trigonal usually massive, granular (emery)
Blue-grey to Blue and dull Al2O3 hexagonal crystals
(sapphire), Red (ruby), and
Yellow, Brown and Green
in sapphire
Notes:
The Tourmaline Group species can be difficult to tell apart without specific locality data. The overlap of
color and habit can make crystals without matrix very difficult to distinguish without lab tests.
Most of the Garnet Group species can be very difficult to tell apart. Color alone is rarely – if ever –
diagnostic; and S.G.s overlap too much to make them useful alone or with color. Mineral environment
information is usually needed in conjunction with S.G. and color to even begin to guess the species. The
best bet is specific knowledge of what is found at any given locality – or lab tests in the absence of that.
(Far too many "visual identifications" prove to be wrong…)
Table of Contents Return to Step 14 Mineral Does Not Key: Return to Step 1
Copyright
This "Mineral Identification Key" is copyrighted by Alan Plante and Donald Peck, 2000; all rights
reserved. Permission to copy all or parts of the Key is granted for noncommercial use by individuals and
mineral clubs, study groups, or educational institutions. Publication in any medium for profit, including
print and electronic, is expressly prohibited, except by written permission from the authors. Permission is
required before posting a copy of the Key to another web site.
Alan Plante, 8 Hamlin Avenue, Gorham, NH 03581

Donald Peck, 6 Indian Rock Road, Warren, NJ 07059
[ Table of Contents ] [ Introduction ] [ Identification Kit ] [ Mineral Properties ] [ Environments & Associations ] [ In Conclusion ] [
The Mineral ID Key ]
Bob's Rock Shop Table of Contents
Bob Keller

Mineral ID Table

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Mineral ID Table

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Table IA: Minerals with Metallic or Submetallic Luster & Hardness of less than 2½: (Will readily

leave a mark on paper.)

Hardness Color Streak Cleavage Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 2

Hardness Color Streak Cleavage Name System Habit

2 to 2½ Grey-black to Lead-grey Black ACANTHITE Isometric pseudo-cubic

Hardness Color Streak Cleavage Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 3

Hardness Color Streak Cleavage Name System Habit

Hardness Color Streak Cleavage Name System Habit

5½ Black Black to Dark- URANINITE Isometric usually massive

6 Brownish-black Dark-brown FRANKLINITE Isometric usually massive, granular, or as

Table of Contents Return to Step 3

Streak Hardness Color Cleavage Name System Habit

Pale-yellow 2 Sulfur-yellow MASSICOT Orthorhombic usually earthy or scaly masses

Table of Contents Return to Step 4

Cleavage Hardness Luster Color Name System Habit

Cleavage Hardness Luster Color Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 6

Hardness Color Luster Cleavage Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 6

Cleavage Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 8

Fusibility Color Hardness Luster Name System Habit

Color Hardness Luster Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 9

Cleavage Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Cleavage Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 11

Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 11

Cleavage Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Cleavage Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Cleavage Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 13

Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Table of Contents Return to Step 13

Table of Contents Return to Step 14

Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

Hardness Color Luster Name System Habit

7 to 7½ Brown to Brownish-red to vitreous ALMANDINE Isometric usually as dodecahedral crystals

7½ to 8 Pale-blue to Pale-green vitreous BERYL Hexagonal usually as stout prismatic hexagon

Alan Plante, 8 Hamlin Avenue, Gorham, NH 03581

Bob's Rock Shop Table of Contents

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