Earth Science (Minerals 5)

Pyrite

May show cubic habit, brassy, light gold

Magnetite

Strongly magnetic, dark grey or black

Hematite

May be slightly magnetic, silver or grey, streaks reddish brown

Chalcopyrite

Looks like cheap gold leaf

Copper

Tarnishes Green, colors orange-brown

Galena

High density, dark grey, 3 planes of cleavage at 90 degrees

Staurolite

Twinned, cross-like shape

Labradorite

Blue-green iridescence, twins

Olivine

Often ‘sugary’ texture, olive green

Garnet

Soccer ball crystal habits

Augite

May show stubby blocks, dark green black

Hornblende

May show elongated crystals, dark green black

Biotite

Flat and shiny, brown or brownish black

Muscovite

Flat and shiny, colorless, white, off white or brown-yellow

Chlorite

Small, shiny crystals & green

Quartz

Prismatic crystal habit

Kyanite

Blade shaped crystal habit, Light Blue

Albite

May show twinning, white & light grey

Orthoclase

May show exsolution lamellae, salmon pink

Flourite

Crystals often cubic or octahedral, fluorescence

Calcite

Reacts vigorously with HCI (Acid)

Dolomite

Reacts with HCI when powdered

Aptatite

Hexagonal crystal form

Halite

Salty taste, Colourless

Sylvite

Bitter taste, Colorless or Red

Gypsum

May show silky strands, colourless or white

Talc

Feels soapy, pale green or white

Graphite

Low density, greasy feel, dark grey