Rock and Mineral Lab
Minerals
The following minerals are ones that you will need to know for this class. For each
mineral, please include the following information: Chemical formula, class they belong
to, physical description, Mohs hardness (can be rough estimation), cleavage/fracture,
luster, color and finally, please include which rock type these minerals are most likely
going to be found in (sedimentary, metamorphic, igneous).
1. Olivine
2. Biotite
3. Muscovite
4. Feldspar
5. Quartz
6. Galena
7. Gypsum
8. Hematite
9. Pyrite
10. Calcite
11. Garnet
12. Staurolite
13. Epidote
14. Fluorite
15. Graphite
16. Magnetite
17. Talc
18. Halite
Rocks
For the following rocks, please create a dichotomous key. When making the key please
use rock types, processes of formation (ex. Intrusive/extrusive), environments (ex. ocean,
deep mantle), and other large scale categorizations, then move to colors, patterns, crystal
size, texture, etc…
Igneous
19. Rhyolite
20. Granite
21. Andesite
22. Diorite
23. Basalt
24. Gabbro
25. Peridotite
26. Obsidian
27. Skoria
28. Pumice
29. Tuff
Sedimentary
30. Sandstone
31. Shale
32. Limestone
33. Conglomerate
34. Coal
35. Halite
36. Gypsum
37. Chert
38. Coquina
Metamorphic
39. Slate
40. Mica Schist
41. Gneiss
42. Marble
43. Quartzite
44. Phyllite
45. Migmatite
Mineral Kit Key
1. Fluorite
2. Feldspar (orthoclase)
3. Hematite
4. Pyrite
5. Quartz
6. Calcite
7. Muscovite
8. Magnetite
9. Gypsum (alabaster)
10. Talc
11. Halite
12. Biotite
13. Graphite
14. Gypsum (satin spar)
15. Gypsum
Rock Kit Key
1. Shale
2. Siltstone
3. Sandstone
4. Sandstone
5. Conglomerate
6. Coquina
7. Oolite
8. Marble
9. Pyrite
10. Gneiss (orthoclase)
11. Gneiss (biotite)
12. Pumice
13. Tuff
14. Granite (with orthoclase)
15. Granodiorite
16. Diorite
17. Dolomite
18. Phyllite
19. Rhyolite
20. Orthoclase feldspar
21. Basalt
22. Quartz
23. Chert
24. Gypsum