1. Minerals Natural Solid Found on Earth Specific chemical makeup http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/index.htm

2. Minerals Building blocks of rock http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/index.htm

3. Less than a dozen are common in most rocks Quartz Feldspar (group) Muscovite (white mica) Biotite (black mica) Calcite Pyroxene Olivine Amphibole (group ) Magnetite, limonite, and other iron oxides Pyrite

4. http://www.mii.org/www.mii.org

5. Common uses include: Aluminum--packaging, transport, building Beryllium--gemstones, fluorescent lights Copper--electric cables, wires, switches Feldspar--glass and ceramics Iron--buildings, automobiles, magnets Calcite--toothpaste, construction

6. Minerals are identified by their key characteristics based on their chemical and physical properties

7. Physical properties of minerals: hardness crystal shape (form) luster color streak cleavage/fracture density (specific gravity)

8. Chemical properties of minerals: Ability to burn Reactivity to acids

9. Mineral Hardness Ability to scratch another mineral Mohs scale from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) Quartz (most common mineral and most dust particles) is 7 http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/elements/diamond/diamond.htm

10. Mineral Hardness Ability to scratch another mineral Mohs scale from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/elements/diamond/diamond.htm

11. Luster Describes how light reflects off the surface Main categories are “metallic” and “non- metallic” http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sulfides/pyrite/pyrite2.htm

12. Luster Non-metallic includes “dull,” glassy,” waxy,” “pearly” http://www.minerals.net/mineral/sulfides/pyrite/pyrite2.htm

13. Color results from ability to absorb some wavelengths and reflect others http://www.minerals.net/mineral/carbonat/calcite/images/4assortd.htm

14. Color some minerals have characteristics colors others vary due to chemical differences or impurities (atoms mixed inside the main elements) http://www.minerals.net/mineral/carbonat/calcite/images/4assortd.htm

15. Streak Color of the powder when rubbed on a “streak plate” May be same color as the rock or different http://www.minerals.net/mineral/oxides/hematite/hematit6.htm

16. Mineral cleavage/fracture Some minerals split along flat surfaces when struck hard--this is called mineral cleavage

17. Mineral cleavage/fracture Other minerals break unevenly along rough or curved surfaces-- this is called fracture

18. Density (Specific Gravity) All minerals have density (mass / volume), but some are very dense http://www.minerals.net/mineral/elements/gold/gold1.htm

19. Special Characteristics-- the “Acid Test” Carbonates react with dilute HCl and other acids by fizzing or bubbling (releasing CO2 gas)

20. Special Characteristics-- the “Acid Test” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= p8q7U7WkA9c http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Lw3bWR0Ws7M

21. Special Characteristics-- Fluorescence Some minerals will glow when placed under short-wave or long-wave ultraviolet rays Franklin and Ogdensburg NJ are famous for their fluorescent minerals

22. Special Characteristics-- Salty Taste DO NOT TASTE MOST MINERALS! Some minerals are poisonous! Halite is the exception--it will taste salty http://mineral.galleries.com/scripts/item.exe?LIST+Minerals+Halides+Halite

23. Special Characteristics-- Magnetism Many iron minerals will produce an invisible magnetic force field “Lodestone” was used by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago as compasses http://www.minerals.net/mineral/oxides/magnetit/magneti4.htm