Which properties are most useful to identify a mineral? Explain
Since this is not my area of expertise, I searched Google under the key words "mineral properties" to get these possible sources:
http://www.galleries.com/minerals/physical.htm
http://www.galleries.com/minerals/property/cleavage.htm
http://webmineral.com/determin.shtml
(Broken Link Removed)
http://facweb.bhc.edu/academics/science/harwoodr/Geol101/Labs/Minerals/
In the future, you can find the information you desire more quickly, if you use appropriate key words to do your own search.
I hope this helps. Thanks for asking.
To identify a mineral, we can rely on several key properties that are commonly used by geologists and mineralogists. These properties include:
1. Color: The color of a mineral can be the first characteristic observed, but it is not always reliable since many minerals can have variable colors or impurities that alter their appearance.
2. Streak: The streak of a mineral refers to the color of the powdered form of the mineral when it is scratched on a porcelain plate. It is often a more reliable indicator of the mineral's true color since it eliminates any external impurities.
3. Hardness: The hardness of a mineral is determined by its resistance to scratching and is measured on the Mohs scale. This scale ranges from 1 (softest, like talc) to 10 (hardest, like diamond). By testing the mineral's hardness against known minerals of different hardness levels, we can gain valuable clues for identification.
4. Cleavage and Fracture: Cleavage refers to the tendency of a mineral to break along planes of weakness, resulting in smooth, flat surfaces. Fracture, on the other hand, describes irregular or uneven breaks. Both properties can provide insight into the crystal structure of the mineral.
5. Luster: Luster refers to how light reflects off the surface of a mineral. It can be described as metallic (shiny, reflective like metal), non-metallic (dull or glassy), or earthy (dull and lacking reflections).
6. Crystal Form: Some minerals naturally form distinct and recognizable crystal shapes. Observing the mineral under a microscope can reveal these specific crystal structures.
7. Density: The density of a mineral is determined by its mass per unit volume. Although density alone may not be sufficient for mineral identification, it can be useful when combined with other properties.
8. Other Properties: Additional properties that can aid in identification may include magnetism, reaction to acid, fluorescence under ultraviolet light, and taste (though tasting minerals is not recommended).
To identify a mineral, it is often necessary to consider a combination of several properties to arrive at a conclusive identification. Various identification guides, mineralogical databases, or consulting with experts can also be helpful in the identification process.