How to Know

Minerals?
 KWLH
What do
What do
you want What did How did
you know
to know you you learn
about
about learn? it?
minerals?
them?
Mineralogy is the study of
minerals and their properties.
Rock-Forming Minerals
Minerals make up the Earth’s crust
* over 2000 minerals known
 Identification by
Inspection
simple observations made by looking
* Color
* Luster
* Crystal System (shape)
 Color
* most easily observed
* least useful when identifying minerals…
but why???

1. impurities change the colors

2. colors are similar
3. Colors react to the air or its temperature
You see… colors are similar!
 Luster
the way a mineral shines

* Metallic Luster
* Nonmetallic Luster
 Metallic Luster
*shines like polished metal
(galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite)
 Nonmetallic Luster
*vitreous – shining glass (ambar)

*pearly – like a pearl (mica)

*resinous – like wax (sphalerite)

*greasy, oily – (graphite)

*dull, earthy – (kaolinite, limonite)

*brilliant – (diamond)
Crystal System (shape)
 WHAT IS A KARAT?

A carat (UK) or karat (US) is a unit of weight for 
diamonds and other gemstones. 

One carat equals 200 milligrams (0.200 grams). There are 453 
grams in a pound (1,000 grams to a kilogram). 
Therefore, if your fiancee weighs 170 pounds, you have a
385,050-carat fiancee! 

A karat, when used with gold, is a unit of purity- 24-karat 

gold is pure gold, but usually you mix gold with a metal like 
copper or silver to make jewelry (because pure gold is too 
soft).
Identification by
Simple Tests
 Streak
the color of a mineral’s powder
* Rub a mineral and check its color
 Cleavage
minerals split along flat surfaces
Fracture
 Hardness
minerals resistance
*Mohs’ Hardness Scale
 Special Properties
•taste – flavor
•magnetic - magnetism

•double diffraction – splits images into 2

•flourescence – glows under ultraviolet light
•phosphorescence – glows even after ultraviolet off
 KWLH
What do
What do
you want What did How did
you know
to know you you learn
about
about learn? it?
minerals?
them?