In this assignment, you will identify some minerals. The ability to identify minerals is one of the most fundamental geological skills. It is an essential skill in identifying rocks, for one must firs

Mineral Identification

In this assignment, you will identify some minerals. The ability to identify minerals is one of the most fundamental geological skills. It is an essential skill in identifying rocks, for one must first identify the minerals within a rock before the rock itself can be identified. Only after minerals and rocks have been identified can their origin, classification, and alteration be adequately understood. The ability for a geologist to identify minerals by using the simplest tools is often a necessity, particularly when working in the field.

Instructions and Observations

Retrieve the bag labeled Lab #5 Mineral Identification Samples from your lab kit. Use the steps below to identify the ten minerals labeled A through J. To get you started, a few hints will be provided for Mineral Specimen A:

1. This mineral does not have a metallic luster.

2. This mineral is not considered to be a dark-colored mineral.

3. This mineral has two cleavage directions intersecting at right angles.

4. This mineral will scratch a glass plate but it will not scratch quartz.

Step 1: After placing the specimens on a white sheet of paper, separate the minerals with metallic luster from those with nonmetallic luster. Use the table below to record your findings. List each specimen in the appropriate column).

Step 2: List as many of the physical properties of each metallic mineral as you can determine, using the available tools and your senses. Use the table below to record your findings.

After you have identified the metallic minerals, continue with the steps below to identify the nonmetallic minerals.

Step 3: Separate the dark-colored nonmetallic minerals from the light-colored nonmetallic minerals. Use the table below to record your findings.

Step 4: Separate those minerals with cleavage from those minerals without cleavage. Use the table below to record your findings.

Step 5: List the physical properties of each mineral and make your identification as you did with the metallic minerals.

Lesson 5/Minerals 3