Mineral_Formula_and_Description_Table Flashcards
Mineral Name
Formula and Description
Copper
Cu - Reddish-brown metal, metallic luster.
Graphite
C - Soft, gray to black, metallic or earthy luster.
Sulfur
S - Yellow, brittle, earthy to resinous luster.
Pyrite
FeS₂ - Brassy yellow, metallic luster, cubic crystals.
Chalcopyrite
CuFeS₂ - Brass yellow with an iridescent tarnish.
Sphalerite
ZnS - Brown to black, resinous to adamantine luster.
Galena
PbS - Silver-gray, metallic luster, cubic crystals.
Cinnabar
HgS - Bright red, high-density mineral, metallic to earthy luster.
Realgar
AsS - Red to orange, resinous to greasy luster.
Orpiment
As₂S₃ - Yellow to orange, resinous luster.
Molybdenite
MoS₂ - Silver-gray, metallic luster, flaky appearance.
Cobaltite
CoAsS - Silver-gray with reddish tint, metallic luster.
Corundum
Al₂O₃ - Hard, blue, red, or gray, vitreous luster.
Hematite
Fe₂O₃ - Reddish-brown to metallic silver, metallic luster.
Magnetite
Fe₃O₄ - Black, metallic luster, strongly magnetic.
Limonite
FeO(OH)·nH₂O - Yellow-brown, earthy luster.
Cassiterite
SnO₂ - Brown to black, adamantine to metallic luster.
Goethite
FeO(OH) - Brown to yellow, earthy luster.
Bauxite
Al(OH)₃ - Red-brown, pisolitic structure, earthy luster.
Fluorite
CaF₂ - Transparent to translucent, cubic crystals, often brightly colored.
Halite
NaCl - Colorless to white, cubic crystals, salty taste.
Gypsum
CaSO₄·2H₂O - Colorless to white, soft, sometimes fibrous.
Anhydrite
CaSO₄ - White to gray, granular to massive texture.
Barite
BaSO₄ - White to clear, high-density, tabular crystals.
Celestite
SrSO₄ - Pale blue to white, tabular or fibrous.
Calcite
CaCO₃ - Colorless to white, rhombohedral cleavage, reacts with acid.
Siderite
FeCO₃ - Brown to reddish, vitreous luster.
Smithsonite
ZnCO₃ - Often green, botryoidal texture.