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Mineral Identification ChartNameCalciteFluoriteHematitieColorColorless, white, yellow, brown, orange, pink, red, purple, blue, green, gray, black. May also be multicolored or banded.All colors: including colorless, white, purple, blue, red, pink, orange, yellow, brown, green, gray, and black. May also be multicolored and banded.Black, gray to silver gray, brown to reddish brown, red. Some are iridescent, multicolored or banded gray and dark red.StreakWhiteWhiteRed to reddish brownLusterVitreousVitreousMetallic to dullTransparencyTransparent to opaqueTransparent to translucentOpaqueHardness345-6Crystal FormHexagonal –variety of shapes. Most commonly rhombohedral & scalenohedralIsometric –most commonly octahedrals and cubic. Sometimes dodecahedral.Hexagonal –thin plates, bundles of small micaceous plates & in thin splintersCleavage1,3 –rhombohedral1, all sidesNone. Occasionally rhombohedral & basal partingFractureConchoidal. Rarely observed due to perfect cleavage.ConchoidalUnevenSpecific Gravity2.73.0 –3.34.9 –5.3Reaction to Hydrochloric AcidEffervescentNoneNoneUsesPrimary ore of Calcium. Indispensable in construction industry, it is the base of cement.Forms many important chemicals and useful drugs.Crucial in the manufacture of fertilizers, metals, glass, rubber & paint.Transparent Iceland Spar was used for polarizing microscopes & other optical devices.Forms rocks that are ornamental such as Marble, Travertine, or Tufa.Main component ofchalk.Used as flux in the manufacture of steel & other metals to eliminate impurities.In optics field to produce lenses.In the production of glass & enamel.Carved ornamental objects.Too soft to be used as a gemstone.Principle ore of iron.Used in industrial production. Source for roughly 90% of all iron mined in US.Used in past as red & brown pigment.Used as minor gemstone –jewelry, beads & ornamental figures.Environment(Location)Part of all mineral environments, including sedimentary, igneous& metamorphicHydrothermal ore veins, Sedimentary deposits, Metamorphic environments & pegmatite dikesPart of all mineral environments, including sedimentary, igneous & metamorphicNotesCommonly fluorescent. Some phosphorescent.Transparent crystals exhibit strong refraction.May be thermoluminescent.Commonly fluorescentCommon mineral.Paramagnetic –slightly attracted to magnetic fields.Strongly magnetic when heated.Similar MineralsQuartz –Much harder (7)Gypsum –Softer (2)Calcite –Slightly softer (3), different crystal formsQuartz –Much harder (7), no cleavageHalite –Softer (2 –2 ½), saltyNone
Mineral Identification ChartNameBiotite –MicaMuscovite –MicaTalcColorBlack, dark brown, dark green, reddish black. Colorless, white, beige, yellow, brown, gray, green, pink, purple, red, black; occasionally multicoloredWhite, beige, gray, yellow, brown, pink, purple, blue, green. Rarely colorless.StreakWhiteColorlessWhiteLusterPearlyPearlyGreasy, waxy, pearlyTransparencyTranslucent to opaqueTransparent to translucentTransparent to opaqueHardness2.5 –32 –2 ½ 1Crystal FormMonoclinic –Thick flakesMonoclinic –thick flakesMonoclinic –Most often large distorted masses and foliated sheets and plates.Cleavage1,11, 11,1FractureUnevenUnevenUnevenSpecific Gravity2.8 –3.42.7 –3.0Reaction to Hydrochloric AcidNoneNoneNoneUsesPoor conductor of heat & electricity and used as an insulator for electrical products & semiconductors.Poor conductor of heat & electricity and used as an insulator for electrical products & semiconductors.Large sheets once used for oven windows.Industrial uses. Crushed into a powder to form talcum powder. Main ingredient in cosmetics and some baby powders.Once used as a filler to prevent slipping in latex gloves.Highly resistant to heat & electricity –used as an insulator in electronics.Filler material for paints, rubber & insecticides.Ornamental stone, carved into figures, jewelry boxes, tiling & art sculptures.Environment(Location)Common rock forming mineral; especially in metamorphic rocks such as schist & gneiss. Also in igneous rocks such as granite & rhyolite.Common rock forming mineral. Especially found in granite pegmatites, metamorphic rocks, metamorphic schists, & hydrothermal veins.In metamorphic rocks, especially Serpentine deposits.Most commonly forms the rock Soapstone.NotesSmall pieces flake or peel offSmall pieces flake or peel offHas a greasy feel.May be lightly fluorescent.Similar MineralsMuscovite –Usually lighter in colorBiotite –Usually darker in colorLepidolite –difficult to tell from pink muscoviteGypsum –Cannot be peeled into micaceous sheets, crystals usually different shapesCalcite