rocks and minerals

What are common silicate minerals

• Quartz

• Feldspar (Orthoclase & Plagioclase)

• Mica (Biotite & Muscovite)

• Olivine

• Pyroxene (Augite)

• Amphibole (Hornblende)

• Talc

• Kaolinite

What are key carbonate minerals

• Calcite

• Dolomite

• Malachite

how is calcite indentified

Reacts with HCl, rhombohedral cleavage

how is Dolomite indentified

Weak acid reaction unless powdered.

how is Malachite indentified

Green, reacts with acid, copper mineral.

What are the main halide minerals

• Halite

• Fluorite

what are halite properties

Rock salt, cubic, salty taste.

what are fluorite properties

Comes in many colors, perfect octahedral cleavage.

What are key sulfate minerals

• Gypsum

• Barite

how do you identify gypsum

Soft (2), scratches with fingernail, clear to white.

how do you indentify barite

Heavy for non-metallic mineral, white to colorless.

What are common native element minerals

• Graphite

• Sulfur

• Copper

how do I identify graphite

pencil lead.

how do you indentify sulfer

yellow and smells when burned

how do you indentify copper

Reddish, metallic, may have green tarnish.

how do you indentify quartz

Hard (7), glassy, colorless or light.

how do you indentify Feldspar (Orthoclase & Plagioclase)

– Pink, white, or gray; part of granite.

how do you indentify Mica (Biotite & Muscovite)

Thin sheets, black (biotite) or clear/light (muscovite).

how do you indentify Olivine

Green, granular texture, glassy.

how do you indentify Pyroxene (Augite)

Dark green-black, stubby crystals.

how do you indentify Amphibole (Hornblende)

Black, splintery, elongate crystals.

how do you indentify Talc

Very soft (1), greasy feel.

how do you indentify Kaolinite

White, earthy, clay-like.