Mineral Classifications
Compounds that consist of oxygen and another element, and usually appear as metals.
Oxides
Minerals composed of 2 or more elements.
Compounds
Finding this by rubbing a mineral against a rough surface is a more reliable way to find its color.
Streak
A geologist who identifies and studies mineral samples.
Mineralogists
An inorganic, crystalline, naturally occurring solid having a definite chemical compound.
Mineral
The most common class of minerals in the Earth’s crust, made of silicon and oxygen.
These are made of only one element and are usually found in placer deposits.
Native Minerals
The main defining characteristic in a mineral’s crystal classification. (DAILY DOUBLE)
Shape
The most common method for obtaining minerals and ores.
Mining
You should look for these when conducting an acid test on a mineral sample.
Gas Bubbles
These minerals fizz when in contact with hydrochloric acid.
Carbonates
True or False: All minerals are composed of 2 or more elements.
False
The amount and quality of the light reflected from a mineral’s surface.
Luster
The system used to rate a mineral‘s relative hardness.
Mohs Scale
One of the best conductors of electricity, but easily tarnishes.
Silver
Minerals that are made of sulfur and another element; one example is pyrite. (DAILY DOUBLE)
Sulfides
Rocks and seawater are both these, formations of physically combined elements
Mixtures
The breaking or chipping of minerals along definite surfaces with varying quality.
Cleavage
The unit of measurement used to describe the mass of minerals such as diamonds.
Carat
Minerals such as obsidian break into smooth, shell-shaped chips, showing this kind of fracture.
Chonchoidal
Minerals that are more commonly known as salts, such as road salt and table salt.
Halides
Important sources of minerals, such as cinnabar containing mercury, are called these.
Ores
The ratio of the density of a mineral specimen to the density of water at 4 degrees Celsius.
Specific Gravity
The process by which a crystal grows by accumulating more particles and bonds.
Accretion
A deep vertical shaft of rock produced by volcanic activity in which diamonds are frequently found.
Diamond Pipes