Mineral Properties
Geologists ( scientists who study rocks and minerals) have several tests to determine what kind of mineral
they find and study. Below are some of the traits scientists use to identify minerals. Please read carefully, and decide which ones you could use for tests at home.
they find and study. Below are some of the traits scientists use to identify minerals. Please read carefully, and decide which ones you could use for tests at home.
Hardness
· Hardness refers to whether the mineral can be scratched or can scratch something else.
· The harder a mineral, the fewer things can scratch it.
· The hardness is numbered 1-10 with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Diamond is the hardest mineral.
· The harder a mineral, the fewer things can scratch it.
· The hardness is numbered 1-10 with 1 being the softest and 10 being the hardest. Diamond is the hardest mineral.
Color
· Color can be used along with other properties to help identify a mineral.
· Since many minerals have the same color, it cannot be used as the only property for identification.
· Since many minerals have the same color, it cannot be used as the only property for identification.
Luster
· Some minerals can be very shiny, pearly, or glassy and other minerals are dull.
Special Properties
· If an acid (vinegar) is placed on a mineral, it may bubble or fizz.
· Some minerals split into thin sheets. Some minerals have magnetic properties.
· Some minerals split into thin sheets. Some minerals have magnetic properties.