Sample Crystal Cleavage Miscellaneous Name of

Luster Streak Hardness

# Habit or Fracture Properties Mineral
<2.5
# and angle Taste, acid,
2.5–3.5
Metallic or Colored, white, of cleavage magnetic,
3.5–5.5 Crystal shape
nonmetallic or none planes, or density, color,
5.5–7
fracture striations, etc.
>7

Hexagonal Conchoidal
1 N white 7
>90 degree fracture
Nonmagnetic quartz

Cubic Good cleavageOften pink, Potassium

2 N None or white 5.5-6.5
90 degree in 2 directionsstriations feldspar

Perfect cleavage
3 N White 2-3 NA
in 1 direction
Nonmagnetic muscovite

Perfect cleavage
4 N White or gray 2.5-3 NA
in 1 direction
Nonmagnetic biotite

Conchoidal Nonmagnetic
5 N white 7-7.5 NA
fracture High density
garnet

usually in a
granular mass, Magnetic
6 M and N always colored4-6
sometimes
NA
Very dense
magnetite
octahedral xls

Nonmagnetic
7 M colored 6-6.5 Cubic crystalsNA
Dense
pyrite

Cubic Perfect cubic Nonmagnetic

8 M colored 2.5
90 degrees cleavage very dense
galena

colorless or Nonmagnetic
9 N
white
2 massive NA
Low density gypsum

1
 Sample Streak or Crystal Cleavage Miscellaneous Name of
Luster Hardness
# Color Habit or Fracture Properties Mineral

Perfect cleavage
not at 90
10 N white 3 rhombohedradegrees Nonmagnetic calcite

good
colorless or cleavage in
11 N
white
4 pyramidal
four
NA fluorite
directions

Perfect cubic
12 N white 2-2.5 NA
cleavage
Nonmagnetic Halite

perfect
colorless or Nonmagnetic,
13 N
white
1 NA cleavage in
Soapy/greasy
talc
one direction

Cubic Good cleavageNonmagnetic

14 N white 5.5-6.5
90 degrees in 2 directionsLow density
plagioclase feldspar

Good cleavageNonmagnetic
15 N white 6 NA
in 2 directionsDark in color
amphibole

N
conchoidal Nonmagnetic
16 white 6.5-7 NA
fracture Not dense
olivine

No habit /
17 N or M colored 1.5-6
irregular
NA Slightly magnetichematite

Cleavage in 2
18 N white 6 NA directions at 90
Nonmagnetic pyroxene
degrees

Once you’ve identified all the minerals, be sure to complete your table by highlighting two to three
properties that are most diagnostic of each mineral. Discuss with your TA if needed. Your TA
must check your table before you leave, or you will lose two points on your quiz next week. Be
sure to study the 13 key minerals (without the flowchart) to prepare for your quiz next week. A bin of
minerals will be available in the science library and at TA and Dr. Claiborne’s office hours.