Minerals

Luster

The way a mineral reflects light

Hydrothermal

Relating to the action of heated water in the earth's crust.

Cleavage

The tendency of a mineral to break along flat surfaces

Specific Gravity

Density of an object relative to water. No units.

Mohs scale

Used to determine the hardness of a mineral

Crystal Form

The appearance of a mineral as determined by its arrangement of atoms

Streak Test

A test used to find a mineral's powder color, or a mineral's true color

Fizz test

A test used to see whether a mineral is a carbonate

Scratch Test

A test used to find mineral hardness

Fracture

The way a mineral looks when it breaks apart in an irregular way

Sedimentary

Rock formed when layers of sediments were pressed and cemented together

Igneous

A type of rock that forms from the cooling of molten rock at or below the surface

Metamorphic

Rocks that undergo a physical change due to extreme heat and pressure

Effervescence

The rapid escape of a gas from the liquid in which it is dissolved

Natural Elements

The group of minerals that are elemental. Includes Ca, P, K, Fe, etc.

Silicates

Most common mineral, made of silicon and oxygen. Make up the largest portion of the rocks of the Earth

Oxides

The ores. These minerals are made of a metal bonded to oxygen. They are smelted to get to the metal.

Halites

The group of minerals that contain halogens, like NaCl

Carbonates

Th group of minerals that contain a (CO3)2- group. They fizz when treated with dilute hydrochloric acid.

Sulfides/Sulfates

Sulfur containing mineral. Tend to be lustrous. Galena and Fool's Gold are examples.