Minerals and Ores

Geology!I really dig it!

100

Quartz is to Compound as Sulfur is to this

Native Mineral

200

This is the type of mineral that is composed of more than one chemical element.

Compound Mineral

300

This test would provide the best example of a mineral's color.

streak test

400

A mineral's crystal classification deals mostly with this physical feature

shape

500

obsidian breaks into smooth, curved surfaces, showing this kind of fracture

concoidal

Oh No! I've Hit Rock bottom!

100

this is the system used to rate a mineral's hardness

Mohs scale

200

placer deposits often contain this family of minerals

native metals

300

this native metal is the best conductor of electricity

silver

400

when conducting an acid test, this is what you should watch for to see if the reaction happens

gas bubbles

500

this is the process by which crystals grow

accretion

May the Quartz be with you!

100

this unit is used to measure the mass of precious minerals

carat

200

these three characteristics define a mineral

Naturally occurring, inorganic, and has a crystalline solid structure

300

this property explains how mica can be broken into flat sheets

cleavage

400

two or more substances that are physically combined

mixture

500

this is the amount and quality of the light reflected from a mineral's surface

luster

All Ore Nothing!

100

Fool's gold (pyrite), a mineral compound of iron and sulfur, is found in this mineral family

sulfide

200

this family of minerals are most abundant in the earth's crust

silicates

300

this is the family of salts

halides

400

this is the ratio of the density of a specimen to the density of water at 4 degrees celsius

specific gravity

500

a mineral with only one kind of atom 

native mineral

A Bigger and Boulder Category!

100

mercury sulfide is an important source of the metal mercury, placing it into this industrial group of minerals

ore

200

this family of minerals consists of compounds of oxygen and another element, usually a metal

oxides

300

Diamonds are considered a mineral because the element that makes them up was not from living organisms. This is the element that makes up a diamond even though it normally comes from living things.

carbon

400

these are vertical volcanic shafts where diamonds are frequently found

diamond pipes

500

this family of minerals can be found in solution caves

carbonates