Lab 1: Minerals Flashcards
Amphibole
cleavage in 2 directions - 60° and 120°**
vitreous lustre
dark green to black**
long, prismatic eight-sided crystal
amphibole hardness
6
Biotite
1 plane of cleave cleavage **
black to brownish black**
vitreous luster
biotite hardness
2.5-3
Calcite
strongly effervesces in HCL**
double image seen through clear pieces**
3 cleavage planes not at 90°**
vitreous luster
calcite hardness
3
Chalcopyrite
massive
golden yellow/greenish yellow**
metallic luster**
Hardness 3-4**
chalcopyrite hardness
3.5-4
Dolomite
reacts slowly with HCl**
cleavages in 3 directions - 75°**
dolomite hardness
3.5-4
Galena
3 excellent cubic cleavage**
high specific density**
silver-grey
metallic luster
galena hardness
2.5
Gypsum
hardness of 2**
excellent cleavage in 1 direction, poor cleavage in other two directions**
vitreous to pearly** luster
white or transparent
Halite
salty taste**
perfect cleave at 90°**
halite hardness
2-2.5
Magnetite
magnetic**
dark grey to black
irregular fracture
Muscovite
1 plane of cleavage**
colourless**
flexible in thin sheets**
muscovite hardness
2-3
Olivine
olive green colour**
occurs as aggregates of small vitreous grains**
transparent to translucent
Plagioclase Feldspar
striations**
2 good cleavages at 90°**
white to dark grey
plagioclase feldspar hardness
6
olivine hardness
6.5-7.5
Potassium Feldspar
exsolution texture**
pink salmon colour**
potassium feldspar hardness
6
Pyrite
metallic luster**
massive/cubic habit**
brass-yellow**
pyrite hardness
6-6.6
Pyroxene
dull luster (don’t write this)
2 directions of cleavage at 90°**
dark green to black
short prismatic eight sided crystals
pyroxene hardness
6