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MineralKey

The document provides a step-by-step guide to identify minerals based on their properties such as luster, color, density, hardness, and reaction to acid. It categorizes minerals into metallic and non-metallic types, detailing specific examples along with their characteristics. Each mineral is listed with its crystal shape, color, density, hardness, streak, and acid reaction.

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4 views

MineralKey

The document provides a step-by-step guide to identify minerals based on their properties such as luster, color, density, hardness, and reaction to acid. It categorizes minerals into metallic and non-metallic types, detailing specific examples along with their characteristics. Each mineral is listed with its crystal shape, color, density, hardness, streak, and acid reaction.

Uploaded by

lelegeliber122
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mineral Key

Use the following steps to identify a mineral:


1. Decide if the mineral is metallic or non-metallic based on its luster and streak.
2. If the mineral is non-metallic, decide if it is light or dark in color.
3. Find a mineral in the list with the same density and hardness as your sample.
4. Check that the other properties—crystal shape, color, streak, acid reaction—match.

Metallic minerals (luster of each mineral ranges from metallic to dull)


Crystal Fizzes
Mineral Color Density Hardness Streak
shape in acid?
Galena Cubic/
Gray 7.5 g/mL 3 Dark gray No
(lead ore) irregular
Golden
Gold Irregular 19.3 g/mL 3 Yellow No
yellow
Graphite
Irregular Dark gray 2.2 g/mL 2 Gray No
(pencil lead)
Hematite Red-brown
Irregular 5.3 g/mL 6 Red-brown No
(iron ore) to black
Magnetite
Irregular Black 5.2 g/mL 6 Black No
(iron ore)
Malachite
Irregular Dark green 4.0 g/mL 4 Light green No
(copper ore)
Pyrite Cubic/ Greenish
5.0 g/mL 6 Dark green No
(fool’s gold) irregular yellow
Silver
Silver Irregular 10.5 g/mL 3 Gray No
gray

Non-metallic minerals, mostly dark in color (glassy, pearly or dull luster)


Crystal Color/ Fizzes
Mineral Density Hardness Streak
shape luster in acid?
Corundum Hexagon/ Dark red,
4.0 g/mL 9 No streak No
(Ruby) irregular glassy/dull
Dark red,
Garnet Ball shape 4.0 g/mL 7 No streak No
glassy/dull
Black/white,
Mica Flat sheets 3.0 g/mL 3 White No
glassy
Hexagon/ Variable,
Topaz 3.5 g/mL 8 No streak No
irregular glassy

2019
Non-metallic minerals, mostly light in color (glassy, pearly or dull luster)
Crystal Color/ Fizzes
Mineral Density Hardness Streak
shape luster in acid?
Rhombus/ Variable,
Calcite 2.7 g/mL 3 White Yes
irregular glassy
Pyramid/ Variable,
Diamond 3.5 g/mL 10 No streak No
irregular glassy
Variable,
Dolomite Irregular 2.9 g/mL 4 White Yes
pearly/dull
Rectangle/ Pink/white,
Feldspar 2.6 g/mL 6 White No
irregular pearly
Pyramid/ Variable,
Fluorite 3.2 g/mL 4 White No
irregular glassy
Rectangle/ Variable,
Gypsum 2.3 g/mL 2 White No
irregular pearly/dull
Variable,
Halite Cubic 2.2 g/mL 3 White No
glassy
Variable,
Kaolinite Irregular 2.6 g/mL 2 White No
dull
Hexagon/ Variable,
Quartz 2.6 g/mL 7 No streak No
irregular glassy
Yellow,
Sulfur Irregular 2.1 g/mL 2 Yellow No
waxy
Variable,
Talc Irregular 2.7 g/mL 1 White No
pearly

2019

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