1. Describe in as much detail the mineral on your table!!!

2. Characteristics of a Mineral
It occurs naturally
It is a solid
It has a definite chemical structure
Its atoms are arranged in an orderly pattern
It is inorganic (was never alive)

3. Mineral Identification
Color
Luster
Hardness
Cleavage/Fracture
Other Characteristics
Streak

4. Hardness Definition: The resistance of a mineral to scratching.
Example: What will happen if I take a steel file to quartz?

5. How hard is the mineral that you have at your table?

6. Color
Why is color not always a good identification?
Calcite
Halite

7. Knowing this, is the color of your mineral a good indication of your mineral?

8. Luster Definition: The property of a mineral that describes the quality or appearance of light reflected from its surface
Metallic
Non-metallic

9. What type of luster is your mineral?
Metallic
Non-metallic
Waxy
Brilliant
Pearly
Dull/Earthy

10. Cleavage/Fracture
Cleavage
Fracture

11. Does your sample have cleavage or is it fractured?

12. Streak
Definition: The property of a mineral that describes its color in powdered form. Example: Pyrite is metallic gold in color, but its streak is black. While gold is metallic yellow in color and its streak is yellow.

13. Let’s take a look at your mineral and write down what color it streaks
Let’s take a look at your mineral and write down what color it streaks. Does it streak the same color as the mineral?