1. Identifying Minerals Color Streak Luster Density Hardness
Crystal Systems
Cleavage & Fracture
Special Properties

2. Color:
Not mineral specific
Gold
Pyrite
Chalcopyrite

3. Streak:
The powdered form of a mineral

4. Luster:
How minerals reflect light
Metallic
Non-metallic

5. Density Mass divided by volume
Each mineral has a characteristic density.

6. Based on Moh’s scale of hardness

7. Crystal System (Pattern)
Pattern of the shape a mineral takes if it can grow forever
Mineral Java Applet

8. Cleavage & Fracture
Cleavage: mineral splits easily along flat surfaces
Fracture: mineral breaks apart in an irregular way
Mica cleaves into thin, flat sheets that are almost transparent.

9. Special Properties
Fluorescence
Magnetism
Reaction to acid

10. Identifying Minerals Color
Luster (how light is reflected from a mineral’s surface – how shiny it is)
(metallic or non-metallic)
Hardness (using Mohs hardness scale, rate from 1 to 10)
Streak (color of its powder)