Tulane Physical Geology Laboratory -INSTRUCTOR: E. GONZALEZ

Last Updated September 14, 2003

MINERALS –OUTLINE

LABORATORY THREE –MINERAL PROPERTIES, USES, AND IDENTIFICATION

Laboratory Manual in Physical Geology by The American Geological Institute (AGI) and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers (NAGT); Richard M. Busch, Editor; 6th Edition, 2003.

MINERAL DEFINITION

MINERAL PROPERTIES:

COLOR and Clarity

CRYSTAL FORM

Habit

LUSTER

Metallic

Non-Metallic (vitreous, pearly, waxy, dull, greasy, resinous)

STREAK

CLEAVAGE and FRACTURE

HARDNESS

MOHS HARDNESS SCALE (Figure 3.17, p. 47)

-OTHER PROPERTIES:

TENACITY

REACTION to ACID (HCl)

Striations

Exsolution lamellae

MAGNETISM

SPECIFIC GRAVITY

MINERAL IDENTIFICATION PROCEDURES (p. 51)