Lesson 4 -MINERALS

Is mineral the same as

rock?
NO
• A MINERAL is a solid inorganic
compound, represented by a chemical
formula.
• A ROCK is a aggregate of one or more
minerals. For example, coal is a
sedimentary rock composed of carbon.
NOTE!
 4660 approved mineral species
 usually named after the name of the discoverer
 or location where the mineral was found
 its name may also be based on their chemical
composition, and properties.
 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF MINERALS
1. CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
Crystals structure describes the orderly
geometric spatial arrangement of atoms in
the internal structure of a mineral. The six
crystal structure are shown in the table.
2. CRYSTAL HABIT
Crystal habit refers to the overall shape of
crystal. Common shapes include needlelike
(acicular), plantlike (dendritic), kidney-
shaped (reniform), bladed, elongated, in one
direction (prismatic), and tabular.
(acicular) (dendritic)

(reniform)

(prismatic) (tabular)
3. HARDNESS
Hardness refers to the mineral resistance
to scratch. This property is dependent on
the chemical composition and the
crystalline structure of a mineral.
The most common scale of measurement
is Moh’s scale. It is described by ten
indications. A mineral with a higher index
can scratch those below it.
 MOH’S SCALE OF
HARDNESS
Hardness Mineral
1 Talc
2 Gypsum
3 Calcite Field hardness scale –
4 Fluorite
5 Apatite
this is done by rubbing
6 Feldspar the mineral against the
7 Quartz
8 Topaz
finger or other tools
9 Corundum
10 Diamond
 MOH’S SCALE OF
HARDNESS
Scale Description
1 Can be rubbed off of an finger
2 Can be scratched with a finger nail
3 Can be scratched with a coin
4 Can be scratched with difficulty with a knife
5 Can be scratched with a knife blade
6 Can be scratched with a piece of glass
7 Can be scratched with a piece of quartz
8 - 10 Minerals too hard to be included in this scale
4. COLOR
Mineral gems are rare and are used to make
jewelry.
Ex: diamond, emerald, sapphire, ruby, opal,
aquamarine, jade, peridot, topaz, garnet, amethyst,
sunstone, and others
5. STREAK
The STREAK of a mineral refers to the
color of the mineral in powdered form.
Mineral gems
come in
different colors
and streak
WHICH IS
MORE
RELIABLE IN
IDENTIFYING
MINERALS
IDENTITY?

COLOR OR
STREAK?
6. TRANSPARENCY
A mineral is a TRANSPARENT (like
muscovite) if it allows the light to pass through
and you can see objects through. It is OPAQUE
(like hematite) if light cannot pass through and
you cannot see objects through it.
 In between transparent and opaque is
TRANSLUCENT. It allows some light to pass
through and objects cannot be clearly seen
through it.
7. LUSTRE indicates how light is reflected off a surface
of a mineral.
• metallic (e.g., galena and pyrite)
• vitreous or glass (silicates)
• pearly (talc)
• dull (hematite)
• greasy (halite)
• silky (e.g., gypsum)
8. CLEAVAGE
- refers to the mineral’s resistance to being
broken. It describes how a mineral breaks along
weakness plain. The quantity of cleavage can be
described in how clearly or easily the mineral
breaks, like perfect, good, distinct, poor, or
indistinct.
9. SPECIFIC GRAVITY
It describes the mineral’s density in
comparison to the density of a standard
like water. Specific gravity can be
determined using a balance.
SPECIFIC GRAVITY OF SELECTED
Mineral MATERIALSSpecific Gravity
Copper 8.9
Silver 10.5
Lead 11.3
Gold 19
 Other properties
Carbonate minerals like calcite, dolomite,
azurite, and malachite react with hydrochloric acid
(HCl). Minerals containing iron, like magnetite and
hematite, are attracted by a magnet. Gold, silver,
and copper minerals are good conductors of
electricity.
 SUMMARY
• MINERALS – solid inorganic • CRYSTAL STRUCTURE – unique arrangement of
compound, represented by a atom
chemical formula • CRYSTAL HABIT - overall shape of the mineral
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
• HARDNESS – mineral resistance to scratch
OF MINERALS
• Crystal Structure • COLOR – external color of mineral
• Crystal Habit • STREAK – color of minerals in powdered form
• Hardness • TRANSPARENCY – transparent, opaque, translucent
• Color
• LUSTRE – how light is reflected off a surface of a
• Streak
mineral
• Transparency
• Lustre
• CLEAVAGE – minerals resistance to being broken
• Cleavage • SPECIFIC GRAVITY – determines the density of
• Specific gravity minerals