1. EXAMPLE Mineral Luster
Explanation: The way light reflects off a mineral’s surface.
Instructions:
1. Shine a flashlight on the mineral, or hold it up to a light.
2. Determine if the mineral is metallic in appearance (looks like a chunk of silver or gold metal) or non-metallic (doesn't look like a chunk of metal).
3. If it is non-metallic, compare it to the minerals on a luster chart to determine what category it falls under.
EXAMPLE
This is an example of the information that is needed for one section of the Minerals Property Book.
The example shows “Luster”.
Explanations are basically a definition of the property, found in their vocabulary, in the textbook, or even online at reputable websites.
The visual can be drawn or printed, but if it is from the internet please include the source (you can list sources on a separate page at the end). The visual should show how the test is done, OR should provide a reference (like a chart, a table, or examples) that should be used to test this property.
Instructions are trickier – based on what you read about the property you need to determine how a scientists tests this property. What tools are needed? How is the test done? Are there any scales, charts, or examples that I should be using as a reference?

2. EXAMPLE Mineral Luster
Explanation: The way light reflects off a mineral’s surface.
Instructions:
1. Shine a flashlight on the mineral, or hold it up to a light.
2. Determine if the mineral is metallic in appearance (looks like a chunk of silver or gold metal) or non-metallic (doesn't look like a chunk of metal).
3. If it is non-metallic, compare it to the minerals on a luster chart to determine what category it falls under.
Mineral Luster Chart:
Adamantine - very gemmy crystals
Brilliant –very shiny and reflective
Dull - just a non-reflective surface of any kind
Earthy - the look of dirt or dried mud
Fibrous - the look of fibers
Glassy – allows light through, transparent
Greasy - the look of grease
Gumdrop - the look a sucked on hard candy
Metallic - the look of metals
Pearly - the look of a pearl
Pitchy - the look of tar
Resinous - the look of resins such as dried glue or chewing gum
Silky - the look of silk, similar to fibrous but more compact
Submetallic - a poor metallic luster, opaque but reflecting little light
Vitreous - the most common luster, it simply means the look of glass
Waxy - the look of wax
EXAMPLE
This page just shows that a “visual” does not have to be a picture. This chart lists many different words/categories that are used to describe a mineral’s luster, and would be used as a reference when doing a luster test.