Identifying Miner

Hardness of 2-3, cubic crystals and cleavage, and tastes salty.

• calcite
• halite
• quartz
• gypsum

Hardness of 2, plastic feel, and 3-D of cleavage (not at 90 degrees). Used in wall board.

• calcite
• halite
• quartz
• gypsum

Hardness of 3, rhombic cleavage and crystals, and fizzes in acid.

• calcite
• halite
• gypsum
• quartz

Hardness of 7, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal crystals, and vitreous (like glass) luster.

• calcite
• halite
• gypsum
• quartz

Metallic gray cubes, hardness of 2-4, high specific gravity (feels very heavy for its size).

• gypsum
• copper
• galena
• hornblende

Has various colors, lusters, and hardness values; red-brown streak; opaque 

• halite
• hematite
• kyanite
• pyrite

Yellow metallic, hardness 6-7, cubic crystals, conchoidal fracture, greenish-black 

• pyrite
• gold
• sulfur
• kaolinite

Yellow or red, nonmetallic, brittle, hardness of 2-3, has an odor

• sulfur
• kaolinite
• kyanite
• talc

Black-green color, vitreous, opaque, hardness of 5-6, prismatic cleavage not at 90 degrees

• biotite mica
• hornblende
• graphite
• corundum

Thin translucent to transparent sheets (1-D cleavage); colorless or pale color; hardness of 2

• talc
• biotite mica
• muscovite mica
• gypsum