Mineral Identification Vocabulary Appearance • what a mineral looks like (color, shape, size) • NOT A VERY RELIABLE TEST Hardness • a measure of how easily a mineral scratches Mohs Scale of Hardness • a scale comparing the hardness of 10 common minerals • Has values of 1-10 Luster • the way a mineral reflects light Metallic • shines like metal Non-metallic • Non-metallic luster contains different lusters They are: Vitreous Resinous Pearly Greasy Adamantine Vitreous • appears to shine like glass Resinous • appears to be covered in resin (plastic) Pearly • having the iridescent appearance of a pearl Greasy • looks like it is covered in thin grease Adamantine • having the brilliant shine like a diamond Streak The color of a mineral in powder form The streak test is done on a streak plate • The mineral must be softer than the streak plate to leave a streak • Cleavage • a break along a smooth flat surface Fracture • a break with an uneven, rough, or jagged surface Other Properties • interesting aspects of a mineral that no other mineral has [...]... brilliant shine like a diamond Streak The color of a mineral in powder form The streak test is done on a streak plate • The mineral must be softer than the streak plate to leave a streak • Cleavage • a break along a smooth flat surface Fracture • a break with an uneven, rough, or jagged surface Other Properties • interesting aspects of a mineral that no other mineral has