Mineral Worksheet

In the following chart, record your observations of each test for the seven minerals. After you have completed all tests, name the minerals in Part 2 of this worksheet. An example of how to fill out the chart is illustrated follows.

Recorded Observations for Minerals 1-7
Tests Example Mineral 1 Mineral 2 Mineral 3 Mineral 4 Mineral 5 Mineral 6 Mineral 7
Color White Gold Green White Pink White White Black
Streak White Black White White White White White Brown
Luster Shiny Shiny specs Shiny Specs Dull Dull Shiny Shiny Shiny
Specific Gravity 3.18 5.10 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.65 2.4 2.2
Cleavage & Fracture Cleavage Fracture Fracture Cleavage Fracture Fracture Cleavage Cleavage
Hardness 4 6 3 3 6 6.1-10 3 1-2.9
Acid No Reaction No Reaction No Reaction Lots of bubbles Active Fizz No Reaction No Reaction No Reaction No reaction

Part 2: Naming the Minerals

Name the minerals in the following table. Then, insert a percentage of how certain you are in your identification. Finally, explain your percentage of certainty: What was confusing about this mineral? What other minerals do you think it could be? Remember, the minerals include seven of the following: borax, calcite, corundum, graphite, gypsum, orthoclase feldspar, pyrite, quartz, talc, and topaz.

Identification of Mineral Percent Certain Explanation of Certainty
Example: Fluorite 80% certain I am almost certain this mineral is fluorite, but I am not completely sure. Fluorite and gypsum are both white, shiny, have white streaks, cleave, and show no reaction to acid. However, the specific gravity of this mineral is 3.18, which is higher than gypsum, so I am pretty sure it is fluorite.
Mineral 1: Pyrite 85% I am pretty sure this mineral is Pyrite. The main color was hard to determine however a combination of the streak test and the other attributes such as the gravity of 5.10 makes me believe this is correct.
Mineral 2: Talc 85% I am quite sure this mineral is Talc. The green and white color makes it a unique