WELCOME TO THE GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

MINERAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

presented by: Susan Celestian - Curator of the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum Stan Celestian - Photographer
copyright 2002

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mineral Definition.Slide 4 Hardness..9 Cleavage....13 Fracture.....20 Streak22 Luster....24 Color.29 Specific Gravity...32 Taste.41 Magnetism42 Diaphaneity..46 Double Refraction50 Reaction to HCl (acid)..51 Crystals.52 Isometric...54 Hexagonal.58 Tetragonal.62 Orthorhombic...66 Monoclinic...71 Triclinic74 Resources.77

Introduction to Mineral Identification Basics

Welcome to the fascinating world of Minerals. The purpose of this CD is to present you with some of the basic techniques used to identify minerals.
This Power Point Presentation can also be viewed in the edit mode. Here you can view the many notes associated with the slides.

Mineral Identification Basics

What is a Mineral?

There is a classic four part definition for mineral.

Minerals must be: Naturally occurring Inorganic Possess a definite crystalline structure

Have a definite chemical composition

Cubic Fluorite Crystal

Mineral Identification Basics

What is a Mineral?

Naturally Occurring
Minerals are not synthetic - they are produced by the natural geological processes working on Earth. For example, steel, brass, bronze and aluminum are not considered minerals in that they are not found in nature. Technically speaking, synthetic gemstones are not considered minerals. This area of mineralogy has a hazy boundary in that synthetic stones are in every way the same as the natural stones. But because they are produced in laboratories, they do not meet the classic definition of a mineral. Also note that many synthetic gemstones are doped with a fluorescent dye to distinguish them from natural stone.

Tourmaline Crystal from Brazil

Mineral Identification Basics

What is a Mineral?

Inorganic
Minerals are NOT produced by organic processes. As a result things like pearls, coral, coal and amber are not considered minerals. Also included in this

NOT a Mineral List are

Barite Rose - A flower like growth of Barite crystals.

teeth, bones, sea shells and even kidney stones.

Mineral Identification Basics

What is a Mineral?

Internal Structure
Minerals are the result of atoms joining together through electrical bonds to produce a definite internal structure. It is the nature of the atoms and the strength of the chemical bonds that determine many of the minerals physical and chemical properties.
Crystalline Pattern of Halite

Red = Sodium
Halite (salt) from Searles Lake, CA

Green = Chlorine

Mineral Identification Basics

What is a Mineral?

Definite Chemical Composition

Minerals can be expressed by a chemical formula. The internal order of minerals means that there is a definite relationship in the number of atoms that makes up the mineral.

Halite - NaCl For every atom of Sodium there is an atom of Chlorine.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES HARDNESS

HARDNESS is defined as the resistance a mineral has to being scratched - its scratchability. Hardness tests are done by scratching one mineral against another. The mineral that is scratched is softer than the other.

Pyrite Crystals Hardness of 6.5

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES HARDNESS

In this photo, a quartz crystal has been rubbed across a glass plate. The result is that the glass plate was scratched. The quartz is therefore harder than the glass.

Quartz is harder than glass.

HINT: In doing a hardness test try to pick a smooth or flat surface on the mineral to be scratched. Try to pick a point or a sharp edge on the mineral that you think will do the scratching. Glass is usually a good place to start because it is in the middle of the hardness table, it has a flat, smooth surface and it is easily obtained.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES HARDNESS

Care must be taken on some minerals that crumble easily. Remember that hardness is the resistance a mineral has to being scratched - NOT how easily it breaks apart. The physical property related to the ease in which a mineral breaks is tenacity. Also be sure to determine the hardness of a mineral on a fresh surface whenever possible. Some minerals have a tendency to oxidize or corrode. These surface deposits usually have a different hardness than the fresh mineral.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES HARDNESS

MOHS SCALE OF MINERAL HARDNESS 6. FELDSPAR 1. TALC 7. QUARTZ 2. GYPSUM 8. TOPAZ 3. CALCITE

4. FLUORITE 5. APATITE

9. CORUNDUM 10. DIAMOND

OTHER MATERIALS COMMONLY USED:

2.5 - FINGERNAIL
5.5 - GLASS

3 - COPPER PENNY
6-6.5 - STEEL FILE

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

CLEAVAGE is the property of a mineral that allows it to break repeatedly along smooth, flat surfaces.

These GALENA cleavage fragments were produced when the crystal was hit with a hammer. Note the consistency of the 90o angles along the edges. These are FLUORITE cleavage fragments.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

Within this crystalline pattern it is easy to see how atoms will separate to produce cleavage with cubic (90o) angles.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

These pictures show different cleavage angles and the quality of cleavage.

Fluorite has cleavage in four directions

Mica A thin has sheet perfect of Muscovite cleavage in seen ONE on direction. edge.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

Common salt (the mineral HALITE) has very good cleavage in 3 directions.

These 3 directions of cleavage are mutually perpendicular resulting in cubic cleavage.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

Rhombohedral Cleavage - 3 directions

CALCITE
Even these tiny fragments have rhombohedral cleavage.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

Blocky Cleavage 2 directions

Orthoclase feldspar has good Note that the faces in the circle are at cleavage in 2 directions.

Orthoclase Feldspar

different levels. By adjusting the lighting, The blocky appearance of this specimen is all of the parallel faces will reflect a hint that it has cleavage. The clue that simultaneously. This results in a flash of the specimen cleavage is the light from all has the parallel faces . fact that numerous faces will reflect light at the same time. Each face is parallel and light will reflect of each face producing a flash of light.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

TALC has micaceous cleavage. That is to say that it cleaves like mica (1 perfect direction) but, in talc the crystals are so small that they cannot easily be seen. Instead the effect is that the talc feels soapy. The second picture shows some of the talc that has cleaved onto the fingers.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CLEAVAGE

FLUORITE cleavage octahedron

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES FRACTURE

FRACTURE is defined as the way a
mineral breaks other than cleavage.

This is a piece of volcanic glass called OBSIDIAN. Even though it is NOT a mineral, it is shown here because it has excellent conchoidal fracture.

If you try this yourself, use caution. Conchoidal fracture in obsidian can produce extremely sharp edges.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES FRACTURE

This Quartz crystal has been struck with a hammer to show how the external form of the crystal does not repeat when broken.
This is a good example of conchoidal fracture.

Note the smooth curved surfaces.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES STREAK

STREAK is defined as the

color of the mineral in powder form.
Streak is normally obtained by rubbing a mineral across a streak plate. This is a piece of unglazed porcelain. The streak plate has a hardness of around 7 and rough texture that allows the minerals to be abraded to a powder. This powder is the streak.

Hematite on Streak Plate

Hematite has a reddish brown streak.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES STREAK

Sphalerite is a dark mineral, however, it has a light colored streak. Next to the reddish brown streak of hematite is a light yellow streak. This is the streak of the sphalerite.

Light colored streaks are often difficult to see against the white streak plate. It is often useful to rub your finger across the powder to see the streak color.

Sphalerite has a light yellow streak.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES LUSTER

LUSTER is defined as the quality of reflected light. Minerals have been grossly separated into either METALLIC or NONMETALLIC lusters.
Following are some examples:

Native Silver has a Metallic Luster

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES LUSTER METALLIC

Stibnite

Galena

Pyrite

Marcasite

Mineral Identification Basics

NON-METALLIC LUSTER VITREOUS

Olivine - Peridot Quartz

Wulfenite Spinel

Mineral Identification Basics

NON METALLIC LUSTER

Miscellaneous Lusters

Asbestos - Silky - Pearly Graphite has a greasy orApophyllite submetallic luster

and easily marks paper.

Sphalerite - Resinous

Limonite - Dull or Earthy

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES LUSTER

The moral to this story is to look at a fresh surface whenever possible.

This is the same piece but the left side has been buffed with a steel brush. Note the bright metallic luster.

This piece of Native Copper is severely weathered. It does not look metallic.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES COLOR

The COLOR of a mineral is usually the first thing that a person notices when observing a mineral. However, it is normally NOT the best physical property to begin the mineral identification process. Following are some examples of color variation within mineral species followed by minerals that have a distinctive color:

Various colors of CALCITE.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES COLOR

Amethyst

Ionic Iron

Clear - Without Impurities

Hematite Inclusions

Chlorite inclusions

Various colors of Quartz.

Mineral Identification Basics

INDICATIVE COLOR

Azurite

Sulfur

Turquoise Rhodochrosite

Malachite

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

The SPECIFIC GRAVITY of a mineral is a measure of the minerals density. It is related to the types of elements that make up the mineral and how they are packed into the minerals atomic structure. Gold has a Specific Gravity of 19.2. It is 19.2 times the weight of an equal volume of water. Gold in Quartz
Water has a Specific Gravity of 1.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

The SPECIFIC GRAVITY of a mineral is determined by weighing the specimen in air and then weighing it in water. Weight in air
(Weight in air) - (Weight in water )

Specific Gravity =

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Triple Beam Balance

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Notches

NO Notches Balance is in Balance

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Opal in Rhyolite Sphalerite

Calcite with Garnet

Halite

Limonite

Selecting the right material.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

100 grams is too much. Weight in air = 37.0 grams

Determine the weight of the Sphalerite

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Weight in Water

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

20 grams

0 grams

7 grams

0.94 grams

Weight in Water

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES SPECIFIC GRAVITY

Weight in air
(Weight in air) - (Weight in water )

Specific Gravity =
Specific Gravity =

37.00 Weight grams in air

(Weight in air) - (Weight water ) 37.00 grams 27.94in grams

Specific Gravity =

4.06
Note that there are no units. The grams cancel out. This is a ratio of how heavy the mineral is compared to an equal volume of water. The sphalerite is 4.06 times heavier than water.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES TASTE

IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED THAT A TASTE TEST BE PERFORMED ON MINERALS AS A STANDARD PROCESS. SOME MINERALS ARE TOXIC.
However, the mineral HALITE is common salt and has a unique taste.

Halite cubes from Trona, CA

include picture of salt and salt shaker

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES MAGNETISM

MAGNETISM is the ability of a mineral
to be attracted by a magnet. This most commonly is associated with minerals rich in iron, usually magnetite.

This is a piece of MAGNETITE with a magnet adhering to it. Magnetite is strongly magnetic in that a magnet will easily be attracted to it.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES MAGNETISM

More sensitivity is achieved if instead of a large sample, small pieces are used. In this way, even weakly magnetic minerals will be attracted to the magnet.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES MAGNETISM

This is a sample of black sand from Lynx Creek, Arizona. Its dark color is due to its high concentration of magnetite. See what happens when a magnet is place beneath the bottom right portion of the paper.
This technique is used to separate out much of the unwanted material in the search for gold in placer deposits.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES MAGNETISM

LODESTONE is a variety of Magnetite that is naturally a magnet.

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DIAPHANEITY

The manner in which minerals transmit light is called DIAPHANEITY and is expressed by these terms: TRANSPARENT: A mineral is considered to be transparent if the outline of an object viewed through it is distinct.

TRANSLUCENT: A mineral is considered to be

translucent if it transmits light but no objects can be seen through it.

OPAQUE: A mineral is considered to be opaque if,

even on its thinnest edges, no light is transmitted.

Quartz with Spessartine Garnets

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DIAPHANEITY

TRANSPARENT: A mineral is considered

to be transparent if the outline of an object viewed through it is distinct.

Topaz from Topaz Mountain, Utah

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DIAPHANEITY

TRANSLUCENT: A mineral is
considered to be translucent if it transmits light but no objects can be seen through it.

Sylvite from Salton Sea, California

Backlit Apophyllite Crystals

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES DIAPHANEITY

OPAQUE: A mineral is considered to be

opaque if, even on its thinnest edges, no light is transmitted.

Schorl - The black variety of Tourmaline

Mineral Identification Basics

DOUBLE REFRACTION

DOUBLE REFRACTION:

Is a

property shared by many minerals ( but not those in the isometric crystal system). It is best displayed in the mineral CALCITE. This image clearly shows the double image below the calcite

Mineral Identification Basics

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

REACTION TO HYDROCHLORIC ACID

Some minerals, notably the carbonates, react to cold dilute HCl. In this illustration a piece of CALCITE is shown to react (fizz) after HCl is applied.

Calcite Reacts to HCl

Mineral Identification Basics

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES CRYSTALS

A CRYSTAL is the outward form of the internal structure of the mineral. The 6 basic crystal systems are: ISOMETRIC TETRAGONAL HEXAGONAL

ORTHORHOMBIC
TRICLINIC

Drusy Quartz on Barite

MONOCLINIC

Mineral Identification RESOURCES

For lots of useful images of minerals and more facts about minerals, check out this web site:

http://www.gc.maricopa.edu/earthsci/imagearchive/index.htm

This copyrighted Power Point CD was produced strictly for educational purposes. Any attempt at using the images within this program for monetary gain is illegal. The authors have given permission to use the THE program or parts of it, provided credit is given to the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum, its Curator - Susan Celestian and the photographer Stan Celestian.

END