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Determine the identity of your samples by comparing their properties with the descriptions listed in the key. Only selected metallic and non metallic minerals are listed. **Reference document used at 2013 EdGEO Teacher Workshop at GACMAC 2013. Presented by Mining Matters**
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Scientific Testing of Minerals Activity – Key Mining Matters
Instructions: Determine the identity of your samples by comparing their properties with the descriptions listed in the key. Start at the left, and work your way to the right while progressively narrowing the possibilities.
Black; streak charcoal gray-black; strongly magnetic; may conduct electricity; hardness 6
MAGNETITE
Brass yellow; cubic crystals; hardness 6 to 6.5
PYRITE
Brass yellow-green, may be tarnished purple; streak green-black; conducts electricity; hardness 3.5 – 4
CHALCOPYRITE
Shiny gray; very heavy; cubic cleavage; conducts electricity; hardness 2.5
GALENA
Yellow-brown; streak white to pale yellow; resinous lustre; magnetic; conducts electricity; hardness 3.5 to 4
SPHALERITE
Gray-black, red-brown; streak red-brown; metallic, dull; weakly magnetic; hardness 5.5 to 6.5
HEMATITE
Clear, white, or grey; glassy; streak white; shell-like fracture; hardness 7
QUARTZ
Purple; streak white, colourless; glassy; shell-like fracture; hardness 7
AMETHYST
Colourless to white; streak white; glassy; cubic cleavage; hardness 2.5; salty taste
HALITE
White or yellow to colourless; streak white or gray; glassy dull; hardness 3; fizzes with dilute acid; double image seen when crystal is placed on printed page
CALCITE
White to transparent; streak white; glassy or pearly; hardness 2; soft but not as soft as talc
GYPSUM
Green, gray to white or yellow; streak white; pearly or greasy; hardness 1; very soft
TALC
Scientific Testing of Minerals
Mineral Identification Key
No c
leavage
Cle
avage
Non
-meta
llic
, ligh
t colo
ure
d
Black, green-
black, or
dark green
streak
Brown or
white
streak
Meta
llic
lu
str
e
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