Minerals

Naturally occurring NOT man-made Inorganic does NOT coming from living

things or things that were once alive Solid Crystal structure a repeating pattern of

particles that create flat sides and sharp edges and corners

Definite chemical composition always contain certain elements in definite proportions (ie: Quartz = 1 atom of silicon for ever 2 atoms of oxygen)

What is a mineral?

Color

Malachite is always GREEN

Azurite is always BLUE

Identifying Minerals

Streak – the color of its powder; can be different than the minerals color

Pyrite – gold color; green/black streak

Gold – gold color; golden yellow streak

Luster – describes how light is reflected from a mineral’s surface

Metallic

Glassy

Waxy/Greasy/ Pearly

Silky

Earthy

Density – how much mass is “squeezed” into a certain amount of space

Hardness – Moh’s hardness scale

Cleavage – when a mineral splits easily along a flat surface

Mica

Fracture – when a mineral breaks apart in an irregular way

Quartz

Special properties (p.122):◦ Fluorescence◦ Reactivity◦ Optical properties◦ Magnetism◦ Electrical Properties