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Mineral Identification Vocabulary
Appearance
• what a mineral looks like (color, shape, size)
• NOT A VERY RELIABLE TEST
Hardness
• a measure of how easily a mineral scratches
Mohs Scale of Hardness
• a scale comparing the hardness of 10 common
minerals.
• Has values of 1-10
Luster
• the way a mineral reflects light
Metallic
• shines like metal
Non-metallic
• Non-metallic luster contains 5 different lusters. They are:
1. Vitreous
2. Resinous
3. Pearly
4. Greasy
5. Adamantine
Vitreous
• appears to shine like glass
Resinous
• appears to be covered in resin (plastic)
Pearly
• having the iridescent appearance of a pearl
Greasy
• looks like it is covered in thin grease
Adamantine
• having the brilliant shine like a diamond
Streak
• The color of a mineral in powder form. The streak test is done on a streak plate.
• The mineral must be softer than the streak plate to leave a streak
Cleavage
• a break along a smooth flat surface
Fracture
• a break with an uneven, rough, or jagged surface
Other Properties
• interesting aspects of a mineral that no other
mineral has