Mineral Tables - Minerals and Properties (cont.) Mineral Hardness Cleavage Other properties Importance Composition Fracture Pyroxene Group 6 2 fair Glassy when fresh but may Common (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al cleavages at alter dull and softer; mineral Silicates) approx. 90o colours are variable Amphibole 6 2 good Glassy when fresh but may Common (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al cleavages at alter dull and softer; mineral OH Silicates) 60o and colours are variable 120o Feldspar Group 6 2 perfect Glassy to pearly but may Rock-forming (K, Na, Ca cleavages at alter dull and softer; mineral; also 90o colours are variable; some used for and varieties display very fine ceramics striations (twinning) Epidote (Ca, Al, 6.5 - 7 1 good Glassy to dull, Rock-forming Fe (OH) Silicates) cleavage in colour; occurs as mineral massive or elongate crystals Kyanite (Al2SiO5) 4 - 5 and 6 1 perfect Pale blue to gray; glassy to Rock-forming - 7 cleavage pearly; elongate, flat minerals mainly crystals that are harder in metamorphics across crystals Andalusite 7 - 7.5 2 fair Variable colour; glassy to As for Kyanite (Al2SiO5) cleavages dull; elongate crystals with an internal common “X” Identification of Minerals Purpose: Geologists, geomorphologists, prospectors and other scientists need to be able to identify the types of rocks and minerals present in the different areas. The purpose of this lab is to teach the students the different identification techniques used by scientists. Background: Colours and Description: Observation. No equipment is necessary. Note: Many minerals occur in different colours and different minerals may have the same colour. Form: Describe the usual appearance of the specimen. Crystalline: Made of groups of crystals Granular: Made of small rounded or sharpless crystals or grains. Earthy: Like hard dried clay (but not necessarily the same colour) Massive: Only a mass without particular characteristics Powdery: Flaky: Fibrous:
Mineral Tables - Minerals and Properties (cont.) Mineral Composition Hardness Cleavage Fracture Other properties Importance Pyroxene Group (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al Silicates) 6 2 fair cleavages at approx. 90o Glassy when fresh but may alter dull and softer; colours are variable Common mineral Amphibole (Ca, Mg, Fe, Al OH Silicates) 6 2 good cleavages at 60o and 120o Glassy when fresh but may alter dull and softer; colours are variable Common mineral Feldspar Group (K, Na, Ca 6 2 perfect cleavages at 90o Glassy to pearly but may alter dull and softer; colours are variable; some varieties display very fine striations (twinning) Rock-forming mineral; also used for and ceramics Epidote (Ca, Al, Fe (OH) Silicates) 6.5 - 7 1 good cleavage Glassy to dull, in colour; occurs as massive or elongate crystals Rock-forming mineral Kyanite (Al2SiO5) 4 - 5 and 6 - 7 1 perfect cleavage Pale blue to gray; glassy to pearly; elongate, flat crystals that are harder across crystals Rock-forming minerals mainly in metamorphics Andalusite (Al2SiO5) 7 - 7.5 2 fair cleavages Variable colour; glassy to dull; elongate crystals with an internal “X” common As for Kyanite Identification of Minerals Purpose: Geologists, geomorphologists, prospectors and other scientists need to be able to identify the types of rocks and minerals present in the different areas. The purpose of this lab is to teach the students the different identification techniques used by scientists. Background: Colours and Description: Observation. No equipment is necessary. Note: Many minerals occur in different colours and different minerals may have the same colour. Form: Describe the usual appearance of the specimen. Crystalline: Made of groups of crystals Granular: Made of small rounded or sharpless crystals or grains. Earthy: Like hard dried clay (but not necessarily the same colour) Massive: Only a mass without particular characteristics Powdery: Flaky: Fibrous:
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