Mineral Identification Quiz: Sulfates, Carbonates, Tungstates, & Phosphates

Anhydrite

• Chemical formula: CaSO₄

• Hardness: 3-3.5

• Cleavage: cubic; 3 planes 90 degrees

• Color: dull white/grey

• Luster: earthy

• Streak: white

Gypsum

• Chemical formula: CaSO₄2H₂O

• Hardness: 2

• Cleavage: 3 cleavage planes

• Color: clear/white

• Luster: vitreous/pearly

• Streak: white

Barite

• Chemical formula: BaSO₄

• Hardness: 2.5-3.5

• Cleavage: 4 cleavage planes

• Color: grey/white/brown

• Luster: vitreous

• Streak: white

Celestine

• Chemical formula: SrSO₄

• Hardness: 3-3.5

• Cleavage: 3 planes not 90 degrees

• Color: pale blue (Cinderella blue)

• Luster: vitreous (glassy)

• Streak:

Calcite

• Chemical formula: CaCO₃

• Hardness: 3-4.5

• Cleavage: rhombohedral, 3 planes not 90 degrees

• Color: white/clear

• Luster: vitreous

• Streak: white

Siderite

• Chemical formula: FeCO₃

• Hardness: 3-4.5

• Cleavage: rhombohedral, 3 planes not 90 degrees

• Color: brownish yellow

• Luster: vitreous

• Streak: white

Rhodochrosite

• Chemical formula: MnCO₃

• Hardness: 3-4.5

• Cleavage/fracture: irregular/conchoidal fracture

• Color: red

• Luster: vitreous

• Streak: white

Smithsonite

• Chemical formula: ZnCO₃

• Hardness: 4-4.5

• Cleavage: perfect rhombohedral

• Color: blueish green

• Luster: vitreous

• Streak: white

• Crystal habit: botryoidal (lumpy) texture

Dolomite

• Chemical formula: CaMg(CO₃)₂

• Hardness: 3.5-4

• Cleavage: perfect, rhombohedral

• Color: white, brown

• Luster: vitreous/earthy

• Streak: white

Aragonite

• Chemical formula: CaCO₃

• Hardness: 3.5-4

• Cleavage: 1 plane

• Color: red, white

• Luster: vitreous

• Streak: white

Azurite

• Chemical formula: Cu₃(CO₃)

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Malachite

• Chemical formula: Cu₂

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Wolframite

• Chemical formula: (Fe,Mn)WO₄

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Scheelite

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Apatite

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Turquoise

• Chemical formula: CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈4H₂O

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Wavellite

• Chemical formula: Al₃(OH)₃(PO₄)₂5H₂O

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