Mineral Identifications

The tendency of a mineral to split along specific planes,

Cleavage

a shell-like or spiral fracture produced on certain minerals

Conchoidal

capable of being separated into fibers

Fibrous

the appearance of a broken surface

Fracture

Resistance of a mineral to scratching, determined by the Mohs scale

Hardness

The manner in which light reflects from the surface of a mineral describe by its quality and intencity

Luster

a luster resembling the surface of a metal.

Metallic

Mohs scale:

Talc, gypsum, calcite , fluorite , apatite, orthoclase, quartz, topaz, corundum, diamond

capable of being severed by a knife with a smooth cut

Sectile

a shiny, glossy luster

Splendent

The color of a mineral in its powdered form, usually obtained by rubbing the mineral against an unglazed porcelain tile to see the mark it makes. A mineral harder than the tile must be pulverized by crushing.

Streak

a luster resembling glass, as in transparency, glossiness, etc.

Vitreous