Dani Lane Mineral Lab

MINERAL LAB

Dani Lane Blk 6 Earth Science

BIOTITE MICA        

Chemical Formula:K(Mg,Fe)3(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 Luster: vitreous to pearly Cleavage: 1 Colour: dark brown, greenish brown, yellow or white Streak: white Hardness: 2.5 Special Properties: easily flakes off, doesn’t burn Uses: used to be used in stoves; transparent and doesn’t burn, and to constrain ages of rocks.

CALCITE       

Chemical Formula:CaCO3 Luster: vitreous to pearly Cleavage: 3 Colour: primarily white, cloudy hues of gray and yellow also Streak: white Hardness: 3 Special Properties: reflects a double image, can be dissolved or precipitated by groundwater  Uses: WWII gun sights, and experimentation in an invisibility cloak

FELDSPAR Chemical Formula:KAlSi3O8--NaAlSi3O8--CaAl2Si2O8 Luster: vitreous Cleavage: 2 or 3 Colour: range from pink, white, grey or brown Streak: white Hardness: 6-6.5 Special Properties: this group of minerals form about 80% of the earth’s crust  Uses: a material in making glass and ceramics       

FLOURITE        

Chemical Formula: CaF2 Luster: vitreous Cleavage: 4 Colour: colourless, white, and any other colour of the spectrum Streak: white Hardness: 4 Special Properties: florescent under a black light Uses: used in water and toothpaste; prevents cavities, strengthens teeth

GALENA        

Chemical Formula: PbS Luster: metallic Cleavage: 3 Colour: gray, silver Streak: lead gray Hardness: 2.5 Special Properties: found with copious amounts of silver Uses: kohl, early wireless communication devices

GRAPHITE        

Chemical Formula: C Luster: metallic, earthy Cleavage: basal Colour: iron-black to steel-gray; deep blue in light Streak: black Hardness:1-2 Special Properties: has a layered planar structure Uses: used in pencils

GYPSUM        

Chemical Formula:CaSO4·2H2O Luster: vitreous to silky, pearly, or waxy Cleavage: 3 Colour: colourless to white, impurities may cause it to take on a yellow, tan, reddish brown, grey, ect Streak: white Hardness: 1.5-2 Special Properties: soluble in saline solution, and moderately so in water Uses: drywall, fertilizer

HALITE        

Chemical Formula: NaCl Luster: vitreous Cleavage: 3 Colour: colourless, white, blue, yellow, pink, orange or grey Streak: white Hardness: 2-2.5 Special Properties: has a lower freezing point than water Uses: used on roads for traction when icy or snowy

HEMATITE        

Chemical Formula: Fe2O3 Luster: metallic to splendent Cleavage: 0 Colour: metallic grey, dull-bright red Streak: bright-dark red Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Special Properties: slightly magnetic Uses: jewelry in the Victorian Era

MAGNETITE        

Chemical Formula:Fe3O4 Luster: metallic Cleavage: 3 Colour: black or grey Streak: black Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Special Properties: magnetic Uses: early compasses, preserves record of earth’s magnetic field

MUSCOVITE MICA        

Chemical Formula: KAl2(AlSi3O10)(F,OH)2 Luster: vitreous, silky, pearly Cleavage: 1 Colour: white, grey, silver Streak: white Hardness: 2.5 Special Properties: fireproof Uses: fireproofing and insulating

PYRITE        

Chemical Formula: FeS2 Luster: metallic Cleavage: 0 Colour: brass yellow Streak: green/brown black Hardness: 6.5 Special Properties: easy to ignite Uses: 16th Century wheel locks, ignition

QUARTZ        

Chemical Formula: SiO2 Luster: vitreous, waxy or dull Cleavage: 0 Colour: colourless, impurities allow any colour of spectrum Streak: white Hardness: 7 Special Properties: transparent, splits light into a spectrum Uses: many early carvings and jewelry

SULFUR        

Chemical Formula: S8 Luster: resinous Cleavage:0 Colour: yellow Streak: colourless Hardness: 1.5-2.5 Special Properties: easily ignited Uses: rubber, gunpowder

TALC        

Chemical Formula: Mg3Si4O10(OH)2 Luster: wax-like or pearly Cleavage: basal Colour :white, grey, brown, light/dark green Streak: white, light green Hardness: 1 Special Properties: extremely soft, easily powderized Uses: mineral foundation, other makeup types, baby powder