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

Submetallic: has the look of metal that has dulled by weathering or erosion Adamantine: has hard, sparkly look like a diamond Resinous: has the look of amber, not quite glassy Metallic – has the look of polished metal Greasy/oily: looks Like it has been Coated with oil Silky: has fine parallel lines like silk Glassy/Vitreous: has the look of glass Pearly: has an iridescent look of mother-of-pearl – often on its cleavage face Dull: has a Plain looking Dull surface Earthy: looks like Soil or clay

Hardness The ability of a mineral to resist being scratched

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)