Minerals Flashcards
Galena
Formula: Pbs Metallic, 3 directions of cleavage 90 degrees; Dark black streak; Specific gravity 7.8 (very heavy) doesn’t scratch glass; M
Sphalerite
Formula: ZnS Dark color, yellow brown to black; 6 directions of cleavage; luster, resinous; hardness 3 1/2-4; streak white to yellow; like galena; M
Graphite
Formula: C Grey to black, marks paper easily; hardness 1’ greasy feel, M
Magnetite
Formula: Fe304 Black; magnetic; hardness 6; streak black; magnetic, does not streak glass; M
Chalcopyrite
Brass-yellow; some iridescence; hardness 3 1/2-4; streak green-black; M
Pyrite
Formula: FeS2 Brass, scratches glass; no cleavage; green-black streak; M
Limonite
Yellow-brown to dark brown, may be almost black; hardness 5-51/2; SG 3.3-4.3; streak yellow-brown to brown; M
Specular hematite
Chemical; Fe203 Metallic, red-brown streak; many tiny glittering flakes; M
Hematite (oolitic)
Formula: Fe203 Brick red to red brown; earthy luster; oolitic (rounded granules) steak red; M
Calcite
Formula; CaCO3; Clear to white; 3 directions of cleavage not at right angles; Hardness 3; effervesces in HCL (fizzes); M
Quartz (crystal)
Clear or colors due to impurities; no cleavage; may show conchoidal fracture; hexagonal crystals; luster; vitreous (looks like glass); Hardness 7; M
Orthoclase (k-rich feldspar)
Light colored-pink; 2 cleavages at nearly right angles; luster. vitreous; hardness 6; SG 2.6, scratches glass; M
Plagioclase (Na-rich feldspar)
Light colored-grey white; 2 directions of cleavage at nearly right angles; STRIATIONS on some cleavage surfaces; scratches glass; M
Chalcedony (Agate)
Color variable due to impurities; no cleavage; conchoidal fracture; WAXY; hardness 7; M
Halite
Chemical: NaCI; clear to white; 3 directions of cleavage at right angles; salty taste; can scratch with fingernail; M
Smoky Quartz
Chemical; SiO2; grey to black; no cleavage; vitreous; conchoidal fracture; scratches glass; M
Olivine
Green; no cleavage; granular masses; white streak; scratches glass; M
Gypsum
Clear to white; 2 directions of cleavage; hardness 2, vitreous; one of two minerals to scratch with fingernail: M
Muscovite Mica
Clear to light yellow; 1 direction of cleavage; easy to break into thin sheets; can scratch with fingernail; M
Flourite
White, yellowish or purple; 4 directions of cleavage; vitreous; doesn’t scratch glass; M
Talc
Pale green to white; soapy feel; hardness 1; foliated appearance; two of two minerals you can scratch with fingernail; M
Augite (pyroxene)
Green to black; 2 directions of cleavage at nearly 90 degrees; hard scratch glass; blocky; M
Hornblende (Amphibole)
Black; 2 directions of cleavage at 60 degrees; scratches glass; splintery appearance; M
Garnet Grossular
Green; crystalline version of olivine; no cleavage; irregular fracture; scratches glass; streak white; M