1. What is a Mineral? Naturally Occurring Inorganic Solid
Crystal Structure
Chemical Composition

2. Physical Properties to Identify Minerals
Hardness (Mohs hardness scale)
Color
Streak (true color of a minerals powder)
Luster (how it reflects light )
Density (heft test and displacement test)
Crystal System
Cleavage and Fracture
Special Properties

3. How do Minerals Form ? Through the crystallization of melted materials
Through the crystallization of materials dissolved in water

4. What determines the crystal size ?
Slow cooling deep below the surface will allow the formation of large crystals
Fast cooling at or near the surface will allow the formation of small crystals

5. How are Minerals Used ?
Gemstones
Metals
Other uses

6. Quartz
Glass
Electronics
Most common mineral in the earth’s crust

7. Fluorite
The most colorful mineral
Used in toothpaste

8. Pyrite
Known as Fools Gold

9. Graphite
Made of Carbon
Used in pencils

10. Galena
Used in fishing equipment
Metallic Luster

11. Hematite
Known as Bloodstone

12. Magnetite Known as Lodestone Cubic crystal structure
Magnetic properties

13. Talc
Softest mineral
Used to make powder

14. Gypsum
Used in sheetrock

15. Muscovite Mica
Very thin and flakes off in sheets

16. Halite
Cubic crystal structure
Salt

17. Calcite
Produces a double image
Reacts with HCl
Has cleavage

18. Feldspar
Cleavage
Nonmetallic Luster

19. Diamond
Made of carbon
The hardest mineral

20. Iron Ore A rock that contains a metal or economically useful mineral
Platinum Ore Copper Ore

23. Strip Mine

24. Open Pit Mine

25. Shaft Mine