Geology Mineral Quiz

Question 1

Calcite

Answer 1

CaCo3
white cubes translucent
perfect cleavage in 3 directions

Question 2

halite

Answer 2

NaCl
non-metallic luster, opaque and almost clear cubes
perfect cubic cleavage

Question 3

quartz

Answer 3

SiO2
non-metallic luster, transparent to translucent
white, clear, pink, purple cubes
conchoidal fracture
vitreous to waxy

Question 4

sphalerite

Answer 4

ZnS
yellowish brown, resinous luster
cleavage in 6 directions
dark color, metallic parts, rough tecture
yellowish brown or nearly white streaks

Question 5

fluorite

Answer 5

CaF2
non-metallic luster, green and purple
transparent to translucent
good cleavage in 4 directions, cubic crystals

Question 6

hematite

Answer 6

Fe2O3
non-metallic luster, red, earthy appearance
red pieces, sparkling gray
red streak, cleavage absent

Question 7

limonite

Answer 7

Fe2O3H2O
non-metallic luster, red/orange/brown, earth rock
cleavage absent
yellowish brown streak

Question 8

galena

Answer 8

PbS
metallic luster
dark gray color
rubs off on hands
perfect cubic cleavage

Question 9

magnetite

Answer 9

Fe3O4
metallic luster, black to dark gray
orange/reddish tint
single crystals are octahedral

Question 10

graphite

Answer 10

C
steel gray, greasy feel, luster may be dull

Question 11

pyrite

Answer 11

FeS2
brass yellow, metallic luster, cubic crystals
fools gold, some golden, some white with golden spots

Question 12

gypsum

Answer 12

CaSO42H2O
white, soapy/chalky look, some cyllindric pieces
non-metallic luster, white, transparent

Question 13

albite

Answer 13

non-metallic luster
large chunks of white with reddish/brown tint
good cleavage in 2 directions at 90

Question 14

biolite

Answer 14

brown to black, 1 perfect cleavage
flexible and elastic when in thin sheets
thin sheets of dark

Question 15

muscovite

Answer 15

perfect cleavage in 1 direction
producing thin, elastic sheets
transparent and colorless in thin sheets

Question 16

k-spar

Answer 16

good cleavage in 2 directions at 90
commonly light to dark pink
pearly to vitreous luster
pinkish/salmon large chunks

Question 17

amphibole

Answer 17

cleavage at 120 and 60
dark pieces some sparkly some shiny
long, prismatic 6-sided crystals

Question 18

garnet

Answer 18

dark pieces with red/green tint; light rock with dark pieces
glassy luster
conchoidal fracture resembles poor cleavage

Question 19

chlorite

Answer 19

green to very dark green
1 cleavage direction
foliated or scaly masses, nonelastic plates
thin, green sheets

Question 20

olivine

Answer 20

various shades of green, sometimes yellowish
light green, earthy
transparent to translucent
glassy luster

Question 21

talc

Answer 21

green to white; light beige/gray
soapy feel, pearly luster
one direction of cleavage forms thin scales and shreds

Question 22

pyroxene

Answer 22

cleavage 2 directions at 90
dark green to black
also light rock w/ dark spots

Question 23

anorthite

Answer 23

good cleavage at 2 directions at 90
small chunks of lighter gray rock, a little reflective