Minerals

           Definitions:  of the 5 testing methods to identify minerals                                         

            Color=  The color of the mineral.

            Luster=  The shininess/texture of the mineral.

            Hardness=  Use Moh's Hardness Scale to determine the hardness of the mineral

•                                 <1.5 = being able to scratch it with a fingernail

•                                       2= being able to scratch it with a penny

•                                    4.5= being able to scratch it with an iron nail

•                                     >7= being able to have the mineral scratch the glass plate

•                                  (Scale = 0-10, 0=softest, 10=hardest)

            Streak=  The color of streak the mineral leaves behind when rubbed on a streak plate.

            Cleavage=  The lines/angles in which the mineral breaks.

Quartz	Garnet (on a rock)	Sulfur	Gypsum	Graphite

It's best to use more than one  method of testing to identify minerals because often times several minerals can have similar properties.