Mineral Identification Virtual Lab
Name:
1. Go to: http://profharwood.x10host.com/GEOL101/Labs/Minerals/index.htm to complete the
following lab
Some Notes to help you on your discovery!

Refer to the Moh’s Scale of Hardness. Recall that:
o ____________is the softest
o ____________is the hardest
o Topaz is softer than ________________
o The two items on this chart that can be
scratched by a fingernail are
___________ and _____________
o Two materials that can be scratched by
an iron nail are ______________ and
_________________
o Two minerals that cannot be scratched by
glass are ____________and ___________
o What is the substance that can be
scratched by an iron nail but not a penny?
_________________
Mineral Identification - Diagnostic Physical Properties (Key)
Apatite
Green color, Hardness (H) =5, may show hexagonal crystal form
Augite
Dark or dull green color, 2 cleavages at ~90 degrees, similar properties to Hornblende
Biotite
Black color, one perfect direction of cleavage resulting in the mineral pealing into thin, flexible sheets, similar
properties to Muscovite
Calcite
H=3, reacts with HCl, 3 directions of cleavage (rhombic cleavage)
Corundum H=9, often shows hexagonal crystal form
Dolomite
Reacts to HCL in its powdered form, similar properties to calcite
Fluorite
H=4, 4 directions of cleavage, often purple in color (can be white, clear, yellow, green)
Galena
Gray, metallic mineral, 3 directions of cleavage (cubic)
Garnet
Typically reddish brown color, no cleavage, commonly found in twelve-sided crystals (dodecahedrons)
Graphite
"Pencil lead", soft metallic mineral, gray streak
Gypsum
H=2, can be scratched with a fingernail
Halite
"Salt", H=2.5, cannot be scratched with a fingernail, 3 directions of cleavage (cubic), salty taste
Hematite
Reddish brown streak, "rust"
Hornblende Black to dk. green color, 2 directions of cleavage at 120 or 60 degrees, similar properties to Augite
Magnetite Magnetic, metallic mineral
Muscovite
Clear or translucent color, one perfect direction of cleavage resulting in the mineral pealing into thin, flexible sheets,
similar properties to Biotite
Olivine
Apple green or yellowish green color, H=7 (often difficult to determine), conchoidal fracture, no cleavage
Orthoclase
H=6, salmon pink color is typical, perthitic intergrowths are common, 2 directions of cleavage at 90 degrees, similar
properties to plagioclase
Plagioclase
H=6, white or gray color, striations may be seen on cleavage surface, 2 directions of cleavage at 90 degrees,
similar properties to orthoclase
Pyrite
"Fool's Gold", gold metallic color
Quartz
H=7, conchoidal fracture, no cleavage, color is typically white or clear but can be pink, red, purple, black
Sulfur
Yellow color, "rotten egg" smell if burned
Talc
H=1, very soft, easily scratched by fingernail
Fill in the following table based on the “virtual tests” you run on each unknown mineral!
SAMPLE
COLOR
STREAK
CLEAVAGE
CRYSTAL
FORM
FRACTURE
HARDNESS
LUSTER
OTHER
MINERAL
NAME
1
White
White
None
Not
Present
Irregular
2
Nonmetallic
N/A
Gypsum
COLOR
STREAK
CLEAVAGE
CRYSTAL
FORM
FRACTURE
HARDNESS
LUSTER
OTHER
MINERAL
NAME
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
SAMPLE
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
2. Go to https://quizlet.com/105802093/chapter-2-minerals-flash-cards/?new. Note: this is a quizlet I
made for you! Since it is specialized, it is likely going to be VERY helpful in studying for your test! 
a. Go to “Flashcards”: scroll through the flashcards (flipping them and quizzing yourself as you go!)
b. Click on “Match”. Match the terms with their definitions.
My time on my first attempt was ________________seconds
My time on my second attempt was ______________seconds
c. Click on “Test”. Set up your test to be “multiple choice and matching”. Make sure it is 25 questions.
What was your score? ___________________
3. Finally, look at the mineral samples provided. A)Draw (and color) three samples. B)Under your sketch, list
3 of the properties that you used to attempt to identify your mineral sample(s). C)Give it your best
guess…what is the name of the mineral based on what you found?