1. Describe the properties that are used to identify minerals.

2.  All minerals have an orderly pattern of atoms. The atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern.  Solid materials that have a pattern of atoms are called crystals.

3.  Sometimes crystals have smooth growth surfaces called crystal faces.  Example is the mineral pyrite also known as “fools gold”.

4.  Another clue to a minerals identity is the way it breaks. Cleavage: minerals that split into smooth, regular planes.

5.  Another way it breaks...  Fracture: Minerals that break into pieces with jagged or rough edges.

6.  Color: The reddish-gold color of a new penny shows you that it contains copper. Pyrite has a shiny, gold color similar to real gold

7.  Streak: The color produced by the mineral when it is scraped across tile.

8.  Luster: How light reflects off the surface. Example: shiny, dull, metallic, pearly

9.  Hardness: Identify minerals by their hardness.  Cross reference with the Mohs scale. Scale of 1 to 10.  1 is a soft gem and 10 is hard. http://www.minsocam.org/msa/c ollectors_corner/article/mohs.ht m

10.  Name five properties that are commonly used to identify minerals. 1. Color 2. Luster 3. Streak 4. Hardness 5. Cleavage/Fracture 6. Magnetism