Minerals and Their Properties Quiz

Match the mineral with its description: Pyrite

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

• Strongly magnetic

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

Match the mineral with its description: Quartz

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• Strongly magnetic

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

Match the mineral with its description: Halite

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• Strongly magnetic

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

Match the mineral with its description: Talc

• Strongly magnetic

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

Match the mineral with its description: Magnetite

• Strongly magnetic

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

Match the mineral with its description: Calcite

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

• Reacts with acid, rhombic cleavage

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

Match the mineral with its description: Biotite

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

• Dark-colored sheets

Match the mineral with its description: Fluorite

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

• Can be purple, blue, or green, cube or diamond shape

Match the mineral with its description: Gypsum

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals

• Very soft, can be scratched by fingernail

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

Match the mineral with its description: Hematite

• Scratches glass, no cleavage

• Softest mineral, soapy feel

• Weakly magnetic, reddish-brown streak

• Salty taste, cubic cleavage

• "Fool’s gold," metallic, cubic crystals