Non-Silicate Minerals

Question 1

Name the mineral that is composed of sodium chloride.

Answer 1

Halide

Question 2

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Silver white to steel.
• Opaque; but metallic lustre.
• Prismatic habit.
• There are two distinct cleavage planes.

Answer 2

Arsenopyrite (arsenic variation of pyrite)

Question 3

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Colour varies from black to white and even colourless.
• Submetallic lustre.
• Contains six perfect cleavage planes.

Answer 3

Sphalerite (zinc sulfide)

Question 4

Which mineral is mostly composed of oxide containing titanium and calcium?

Answer 4

Titanite

Question 5

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Metallic lead grey.
• Relatively dense due to presence of a heavy metal.
• Cubic habit with four cleavage planes.

Answer 5

Galena (lead(II) sulfide)

Question 6

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Colourless or white.
• Distinct low hardness - could be scratched with a fingernail.
• Has three excellent cleavage planes.

Answer 6

Gypsum (calcium sulfate and water crystallisation)

Question 7

Which mineral is mostly composed of both iron(II) and iron(III) oxide?

Answer 7

Magnetite

Question 8

Name the mineral that is composed of potassium chloride.

Answer 8

Sylvite

Question 9

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• White, yellow or grey.
• Has a uniquely high density.
• Contains four cleavage planes.

Answer 9

Barite (barium sulfate)

Question 10

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Colourless, white or grey.
• Could be either transparent or translucent.
• Contains three cleavage planes which are 90 degrees to each other.

Answer 10

Anhydride (calcium sulfate)

Question 11

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• White, cream or colourless appearance.
• Three perfect rhombohedral cleavages.
• Reacts strongly with dilute hydrochloric acid.

Answer 11

Calcite (calcium carbonate)

Question 12

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Has a hexagonal shape.
• Could be green or grey.
• Euhedral prismatic habit.

Answer 12

Apatite (phosphate)

Question 13

Which mineral is mostly composed of titanium dioxide?

Answer 13

Rutile

Question 14

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Slightly orange, colourless or yellowish-brown appearance.
• Three perfect rhombohedral cleavages.
• Reacts strongly with dilute hydrochloric acid in its powder form only.

Answer 14

Dolomite (calcium carbonate)

Question 15

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Tetrahedral system.
• Brassy yellow in colour.
• Opaque; but metallic lustre.
• No cleavage planes.

Answer 15

Chalcopyrite (variation of pyrite that contains copper)

Question 16

Which mineral is mostly composed of aluminium oxide?

Answer 16

Corundum

Question 17

Name the mineral that is composed of calcium fluoride.

Answer 17

Fluorite

Question 18

Which mineral shows the following properties?

• Exhibits cubic habit.
• Brassy yellow in colour.
• Opaque; but metallic lustre.
• No cleavage planes.

Answer 18

Pyrite (iron(II) sulfide)

Question 19

Which mineral is mostly composed of iron(III) oxide?

Answer 19

Hematite