NATIVE ELEMENTS
Gold
Gold (Au)
Silver (Ag)
Platinum (Pt)
Diamond (C)
Graphite (C)
Sulfur (S)
Copper (Cu) Copper
Silver
Mineral Criteria
1. Crystalline solid – atoms have specific
arrangement or crystal structure
3.
Have a definite chemical composition –
may be a single element or combination
colors.
Some Colors of Quartz
STREAK
For opaque minerals, if you rub the
sample across a streak plate, it will leave
a colored powder. This streak is
distinctive for minerals and is used to
identify minerals.
Varieties of Hematite – all same color streak
HARDNESS – Mineral’s resistance to
scratching or abrasion. Minerals with higher
numbers will scratch minerals below
LUSTER – Does this look like it could
be made from a hard metal?
Describes how light reflects off the surface
Pyrite (FeS2)
Galena (PbS) PYRITE
GALENA
Example of non-metallic luster
Vitreous--quartz
Example of non-metallic luster
Silky--example plagioclase feldspar
Non-metallic and metallic luster –
earthy hematite – metallic hematite
Cleavage and Fracture
Halite (NaCl)
Fluorite (CaF2)
HALITE
FLUORITE
Cleavage
MUSCOVITE
BIOTITE
Rose Quartz – Conchoidal Fracture
Conchoidal Fracture - Quartz
Obsidian
NONSILICATE MINERALS
CARBONATES