Minerals

Also called lodestone. An ore of iron with strong magnetic attraction.

​

Magnetite

Notice the metallic luster. Sometimes called "Fool's Gold". Has a dark streak on the streak test.

​

Pyrite

Silvery metallic luster. A very dense mineral. Feels unusually heavy for its size.

​

Galena

Has a more coppery metallic luster than pyrite.

​

Chalcopyrite

Notice the color. Almost looks like dried blood. Hema- comes from the Greek haîma, meaning “blood.”

​

​Hematite

Match

Match the following

Hematite

Pyrite

Magnetite

Chalcopyrite

Galena

• Hematite

• Pyrite

• Magnetite

• Chalcopyrite

• Galena

Exhibits fracture being rough and uneven. Has a nonmetallic luster. Dull and earthy.

​

Bauxite

Exhibits cleavage in 3 directions. Has a nonmetallic luster.

​

Dolomite

Exhibits fracture being rough and uneven. Has a nonmetallic luster.

​

Milky Quartz

Exhibits fracture being rough and uneven. Has a nonmetallic luster. Dull and earthy.

​

Olivine

Exhibits fracture being rough and uneven. Has a nonmetallic luster. Dull and earthy.

​

Limonite

Match

Match the following

Milky Quartz

Dolomite

Bauxite

Limonite

Olivine

• Milky Quartz

• Dolomite

• Bauxite

• Limonite

• Olivine

Exhibits cleavage in thin layering. Has the feel of dried soap. Can be scratched with your fingernail.

Talc

Exhibits fracture. Has a nonmetallic luster. Very sparkly like glitter.

Sphalerite

Exhibits both cleavage and fracture. Has a nonmetallic luster.

Albite

Exhibits fracture. Has a nonmetallic luster. Very soft and chalky.

Kaolinite

Exhibits both cleavage and fracture. Has a nonmetallic luster.

Microcline

Match

Match the following

Microcline

Talc

Albite

Sphalerite

Kaolinite

• Microcline

• Talc

• Albite

• Sphalerite

• Kaolinite

Exhibits fracture. Has a nonmetallic luster. It has a rough surface.

Hornblende

Exhibits fracture. Has a nonmetallic luster.

Fluorite

Exhibits fracture. Has a nonmetallic luster. It has a rough surface.

Augite

Exhibits cleavage in 3 directions. Has a nonmetallic luster.

Calcite

Exhibits cleavage. Has a nonmetallic luster. Many crystal facets are visible.

Garnet

Match

Match the following

Fluorite

Hornblende

Garnet

Augite

Calcite

• Fluorite

• Hornblende

• Garnet

• Augite

• Calcite

Exhibits cleavage. Has a nonmetallic luster. Very flat and smooth.

Biotite

Exhibits cleavage. Has thin flat layers. Very soft and slick.

Graphite

Exhibits cleavage. Has a nonmetallic luster. Very flat and smooth.

Muscovite

Exhibits cleavage. Has a nonmetallic luster. Smooth and soft enough to be scratched by a fingernail.

Gypsum

Exhibits cleavage. Has a nonmetallic luster. Smooth and greasy. Rocksalt.

Halite

Match

Match the following

Muscovite

Biotite

Gypsum

Halite

Graphite

• Muscovite

• Biotite

• Gypsum

• Halite

• Graphite