1. Properties of Minerals
Chapter 2

2. Properties of Minerals
Color
Small amounts of different elements can give the same mineral different colors
Sapphire, Quartz
Streak
Color of a mineral in its powdered form
Luster
Describes how light is reflected off a mineral

3. Properties of Minerals
Crystal Form
Visible expression of a mineral’s internal arrangement of atoms (How it’s shaped)
Hexagonal
Tetrahedron
Cubic

4. Properties of Minerals
Hardness
Resistance of a mineral to being scratched
Mohs Hardness Scale

5. Properties of Minerals
Cleavage
Tendency of a mineral to cleave, or break, along flat, even surfaces
Mica has “perfect” cleavage since you can peel off layers. (Breaking bonds of Silicon and Oxygen)
Fracture
Uneven breaking of a mineral
Density
D=m/v
D=density, m=mass, v=volume
Constant value

6. Properties of Minerals
Distinctive Properties
Magnetic (large amounts of iron)
Feel
Smell