1. Minerals A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid, with a definite structure and composition.

2. Mineral formation Magma crystals from solution

3. Mineral Composition Groups Silicates: contain silicon and oxygen

4. Mineral Identification (physical properties) Appearance Hardness Luster Color Streak Cleavage vs Fracture

5. Appearance What does the mineral look like?

6. Hardness How easily a mineral can be scratched Mohs Hardness scale

8. Mohs Hardness Scale SoftestHardness of Common Objects Talc1 Gypsum2fingernail (2.5) Calcite3piece of copper (3.5) Fluorite4iron nail (4.5) Apatite5glass (5.5) Feldspar6steel file (6.5) Quartz7streak plate (7) Topaz8 Corundum9 Diamond10 Hardest

9. Luster How light reflects off the surface of a mineral. Examples: metallic, dull, pearly, glassy, silky

11. Color The color of the mineral.

12. Streak The color of a mineral when it is powdered. Use streak with metallic minerals. Hematite

13. Cleavage vs Fracture Cleavage is when a mineral breaks along a smooth flat surface. If a mineral fractures the break is random or jagged.

15. Malachite (no-cleavage)

16. Mineral Identification Luster: metal or nonmetal metals we streak test, then test hardness nonmetals we test hardness, starting with glass: is the mineral harder or softer than glass

17. Use of Minerals Gems: rare and beautiful minerals of value. Ores: contain useful minerals that can be mined at a profit.