PART 2 - Mineral Identification Lab
Objective: You will determine the name of unknown minerals based on their physical
characteristics using the Properties of Common Minerals chart.
IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY A MINERAL – YOU WILL USE THE BELOW PROPERTIES
Luster (metallic – shiny like tin foil or gold, or sparkles like glitter or non-metallic)
Hardness (clear glass plate hardness 5.5 – scratches glass (hard) or does not scratch glass (soft))
Cleavage (the way the mineral breaks – even, flat surfaces, or Fracture (uneven, rough surfaces)
Streak (the color of the mineral’s powder streaked on a white ceramic plate), yes or no
USE ESRT P16 TO FILL IN DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
Mineral
Luster
Hardness
Cleavage/Fracture
Streak
Mineral Name
Sample A
Metallic
Hard
Cleavage
Yes
Non-Metallic
Soft
Fracture
No
Distinguishing characteristics:
Mineral
Luster
Hardness
Cleavage/Fracture
Streak
Mineral Name
Metallic
Hard
Cleavage
Yes
Sample B
Non-Metallic
Soft
Fracture
No
Distinguishing characteristics:
Mineral
Luster
Hardness
Cleavage/Fracture
Streak
Mineral Name
Sample C
Metallic
Hard
Cleavage
Yes
Non-Metallic
Soft
Fracture
No
Distinguishing characteristics:
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