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Identification of Rocks and Minerals
Identification of Rocks and Minerals
C. Metamorphic rocks
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
Shale Sandstone
Conglomerate
METAMORHIC ROCKS
Schist
A. Primary minerals
Chemical
S.No Mineral Colour Streak Lusture Transparency Hardness Specific gravity
composition
I.Nonsilicates
a.Oxides
1. Haematite Fe2O3 Steel Red Metallic --- 5 - 6.5 4.9-5.2
Black
2. Magnetite Fe3O4 Black Opaque Metallic Opaque 5.5 - 6.5 4.9-5.2
Metallic
b.Hydroxides
Greenish
1. Gibbsite Al (OH)3 White ---do--- Transparent 2.5 - 3.5 2.4
White
Yellowish Brownish
2. Limonite 2(Fe2O3).3H2O Earthy Opaque 5 - 5.5 3.6-4
brown Yellow
c. Carbonates
1. Calcite CaCO3 Colourless White ---do--- ---do--- 3 2.71
Vitreous to
2. Dolomite CaCO3.MgCO3 White White ---do--- 3.5 – 4 2.85
pearly
d. Sulphates
Greenish Vitreous to Transparent
1. Gypsum CaSO4.2H2O White 3.5 2.96
white pearly to translucent
e. Phosphates
1. Apatite Ca3(PO4)2.X Pink to yellow White Vitreous Transparent 5 3.1-3.2
f. Sulphides
Brownish Greenish
1. Iron pyrite FeS2 Metallic Opaque 6 - 6.5 5.01
Yellow black
g.
Secondary clay minerals – Kaolinite, Montmorillonite, Vermiculite, Illite, Chlorite, etc.,
Silicates