Color Some minerals have their own color. Others come in a variety of colors.

Luster Luster describes the way a mineral reflects light from its surface

Adamantine: has hard, sparkly look like a diamond Metallic – has the look of polished metal Glassy: has the look of glass Greasy: looks like it has been coated with oil Silky: has fine parallel lines like silk Dull: has a plain looking dull surface

Hardness The ability of a mineral to resist being scratched

Hardness Scale: Can you scratch it with your fingernail? If yes, then it is soft. If no, then go to the next question. Can you scratch it with a nail? If yes, then it is medium. If no, then it is hard.

streak The color of the powder scraped off when it is rubbed against a hard, rough surface

Density The amount of matter in a given space. Denser minerals feel heavier How to find it? Divide the mass (triple beam balance) by the volume (graduated cylinder)

Crystal Shape There are 6 different shapes of crystals from the way the atoms or molecules come together as the mineral is forming

Cleavage: breaks along smooth, definite surfaces Fracture: breaks along curved, or rough and jagged surfaces without a definite shape

Special Properties Some minerals are magnetic. Some glow under ultraviolet light. Some have taste. Some smell

Density Use the triple balance beam to find the mass of the mineral sample. Record it. Fill the graduated cylinder to 50 mL Place the mineral sample into the graduated cylinder. Record the level of water with the mineral sample in it Find the volume of water displaced by the mineral. To do this, subtract 50 mL from the volume of water with the sample in it. Record your answer. To find the density, divide the mass (step 1) by the volume of water displaced (step 4)