Mineral identification is done by checking for certain properties of minerals. Because each mineral has its own unique set of physical properties we can test a specimen and find out how it exhibits these properties. This list of characteristics along with a good field guide will improve your chances of identifying mineral specimens.
Some of the tests can be performed easily in the field, while others require laboratory equipment. For the beginning student of geology, there are a number of simple tests that can be used with a good degree of accuracy on common minerals. These tests are listed below. An explanation of each test follows.
The following physical properties of minerals can be easily used to help identify a mineral specimen:
Color
Streak
Hardness
Cleavage or Fracture
Crystalline Structure
Diaphaneity or Amount of Transparency
Magnetism
Luster
Specific Gravity
Color
Most minerals have a distinctive color that can be used for identification. In opaque minerals, the color tends to be more consistent, so learning the colors associated with these minerals can be very helpful in identification. Translucent to transparent minerals have a much more varied degree of color due to the presence of trace minerals. Therefore, color alone is not reliable as a single identifying characteristic.
Streak
Streak is the color of the mineral in powdered form. Streak shows the true color of the mineral. In large solid form, trace minerals can change the color appearance of a mineral by reflecting the light in a certain way. Trace minerals have little influence on the reflection of the small powdery particles of the streak.
Hardness
Hardness is one of the better properties of minerals to use for identifying a specimen. Hardness is a measure of the mineral’s resistance to scratching. The Mohs scale is a set of 10 minerals whose hardness is known. The softest mineral, talc, has a Mohs scale rating of one. Diamond is the hardest mineral and has a rating of ten. Softer minerals can be scratched by harder minerals because the forces that hold the crystals together are weaker and can be broken by the harder mineral.
Cleavage
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learn more about the properties of minerals . you will also find information, activities, and lesson plans on rocks, minerals, and crystals designed for students and teachers at http://www.rocksandminerals4u.com or buy mineral specimens
