Chemical Formula
This mineral has the formula CaMg(CO3)2
Dolomite
This mineral is typically white/colourless, has a white streak, greasy luster and a hardness of 2.5. It is known for its salty taste and cubic habit.
Halite, NaCl
This mineral varies in colour, has no streak, hardness of 7, typically prismatic or massive and is vitreous. It exhibits conchoidal fracture.
Quartz, SiO2
This mineral is typically white to brown, has a white streak, hardness of 2-2.5 and has perfect basal cleavage. It will break into thin sheets.
Muscovite, KAl2(Si3Al)O10(OH, F)2
This rock predominantly contains quartz and can contain feldspars. It has a granular texture.
Sandstone
The mineral Gypsum has this chemical formula
CaSO4 • 2H2O
This mineral is typically scarlet/brown, resinous to earthy luster, has a scarlet streak and a hardness of 2-2.5. It usually has a massive habit.
Cinnabar, HgS
This mineral is typically pink, greenish or yellow/brown, has a hardness of 6.5-7 and is usually resinous and dodecahedral
(Grossular) Garnet, Ca3Al2(SiO4)3
This mineral is typically blue to white, has a white streak, hardness of 5.5-6, is usually vitreous and massive.
Sodalite, Na4(Si3Al3)O12Cl
This rock predominantly contains CaCO3. It has granular texture. It reacts vigorously with HCl.
Limestone
These 3 mineral polymorphs have the formula Al2SiO5
Andalusite, Kyanite & Sillimanite
This mineral is typically blueish grey, has a greenish grey streak, hardness of 1.5 and is greasy. It is usually tabular or laminar.
Molybdenite, MoS2
This mineral is typically grey to white, has a white streak, feels light and greasy, hardness of 1 and has perfect basal cleavage.
Talc, Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
This mineral is typically white or reddish orange, has a white streak, vitreous when prismatic or dull when fibrous and has a hardness of 3.5-4.
Aragonite, CaCO3
This rock predominantly contains magnetite, hematite and chert (quartz). It has fine grained banded texture, with alternating dark red and grey bands.
Banded Iron Formation
This mineral has the formula (Mg, Fe)2SiO4
Olivine
This mineral varies in colour, has a yellow/reddish brown streak, hardness of 3.5-4 and is typically resinous. It sometimes has a slight odor similar to sulfur.
Sphalerite, ZnS
This mineral is typically white to pink, has a white streak, hardness of 6, has perfect 90° cleavage and usually exhibits twinning.
K-Feldspar (Orthoclase, Sanidine, Microcline), KAlSi3O8
This mineral is typically bright green, has a pale green streak, hardness of 3.5-4 and is vitreous to silky. It is usually botryoidal in habit.
Malachite, Cu2CO3(OH)2
This rock predominantly contains quartz, feldspars, biotite and can contain garnet porphyroblasts. It has foliated, medium to coarse grained texture.
Gneiss
The mineral Albite has this chemical formula
NaAlSi3O8
This mineral is typically white, brown or red, has a white streak and a hardness of 3-3.5. It is known for its high density.
Barite, BaSO4
This mineral is typically white with a white streak, has a hardness of 2-2.5, is massive and fine grained, has a dull luster and is very light (hint: it is a silicate)
Kaolinite, Al2Si2O5(OH)4
This mineral is typically blue or green but can vary in colour, hexagonal prisms are vitreous, has no streak and has a hardness of 7.5-8. Common gemstones of this mineral include aquamarine and emerald.
Beryl, Be3Al2Si6O18
This rock predominantly contains quartz, plagioclase, biotite and hornblende. It has fine phaneritic texture.
Diorite