Rocks and Minerals Terms

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Mineral

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A naturally occurring inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure.

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Inorganic

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Not consisting of living matter. Inorganic material is not alive, was never alive and will never be alive.

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Crystal

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A solid material whose atoms are arranged in a highly ordered, repeating pattern.

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Streak

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The color of a mineral in powdered form, which can be observed by rubbing the mineral on a streak plate.

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Luster

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The way a mineral reflects light from its surface; can be metallic or non-metallic.

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Mohs Hardness Scale

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A scale ranking ten minerals from softest to hardest, used to determine the hardness of minerals.

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Cleavage

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The tendency of a mineral to break along flat, even surfaces.

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Fracture

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The manner in which a mineral breaks along curved or irregular surfaces.

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Crystallization

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The process by which atoms form a solid with an orderly, repeating pattern.

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Igneous Rock

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Rock formed through the cooling and solidification of magma or lava.