Geology Lab Minerals

What are the criteria of a mineral?

Naturally occurring, inorganic, solid, crystalline, specific chemical composition

What does it mean for a mineral to be an inorganic substance?

No carbon-hydrogen bonds

What is luster?

The quality/intensity of light reflected

What are the two types of luster?

Metallic, non-metallic (glassy)

What is the color of a mineral?

Portion of visible light not absorbed by a mineral

What are the two types of colors in minerals?

Light and Dark

What is hardness in minerals?

A mineral’s resistance to scratching

What are the three hardness ranges?

<2.5, 2.5-5.5, >5.5

What is a mineral’s crystal form?

the shape or form into which a crystal grows unobstructed

What is mineral cleavage?

the ability of a mineral to break in planar directions

What does it mean if a mineral fractures?

Breaks in a non-planar way, no relationship to internal structure

What is a mineral streak?

color of mineral in powdered form, represents its true color

What type of mineral is streak mostly used for?

Metallic