do we need to know the formulas?

Olivine
ColorOlive green
StreakWhite
Hardness6.5 -> 7
Fracture
LusterViteous
HabitGranular, sugary
MiscTranslucent, often called durite
Pyroxene group
ColorBlack, brown, green, white, violet-brown
StreakWhite to grey
Hardness5 -> 6.5
Clevage2 planes @ 90 degrees
LusterVitreous, resinous, dull
HabitStubby, prismatic
Misc
Hornblende
ColorBlack, dark green, brown
StreakWhite, light grey, colorless
Hardness5 -> 6
Clevage2 planes @ 60 and 120 degrees
LusterVitreous to dull
Habit
Misc
Calcite
ColorVarious
StreakWhite
Hardness3
Clevage3 planes not at 90*
LusterVitreous to pearly
HabitPrismatic, Rhombodedral
Misc
Plagioclase
ColorVarious
StreakWhite
Hardness6 -> 6.5
ClevagePrismatic; 2 planes @ 90*
LusterVitreous to pearly
HabitBlocky, prismatic, and tabular
Misc
Alkali Feldspar
ColorSalmon, white, green, blue
StreakWhite
Hardness6
Clevage2 planes @ 90*
LusterVitreous to pearly
HabitBlocky, prismatic, and tabular
MiscHas exsolution lamella
Garnet
ColorVarous, but red is common
StreakWhite
Hardness5 -> 7.5
FractureConchoidal
LusterAdamantine, greasy, vitreous
HabitRhombic dodecahedron, cubic
MiscForms cube or dodecahdral crystals
Gypsum
ColorWhite to gray
StreakWhite
Hardness2
Clevage2 planes @ 66 and 114 degrees
LusterVitreous to silky
HabitMassive, flat, prismatic crystals
MiscAppears fibrous
Halite
ColorWhite
StreakWhite
Hardness2.5
ClevageCubric, 3 planes at 90*
LusterVitreous
HabitCubic
MiscTastes salty
Hematite
ColorRed to brown to black
StreakReddish brown
Hardness5.5 -> 6.5
FractureConchoidal
LusterMetallic to earthy
HabitBoyryoidal, prismatic, platy, tabular
MiscMay be magnetic
Magnetite
ColorBlack, gray
StreakBlack
Hardness5 -> 6.5
FractureConchoidal
LusterMetallic to submetallic
HabitOctahedral
Misc?
Muscovite
ColorWhite, grey
StreakWhite
Hardness2 & 4 (directional)
ClevageBasal, 1 plane at 180*
LusterVitreous, pearly
HabitMassive, tabular, platy books
MiscCan be peeled off in sheets
Biotite
ColorDark brown, greenish brown, blackisn brown
StreakWhite to ggrey
Hardness2 & 4 (directional)
ClevageBasal, 1 plane at 180*
LusterVitreous, pearly
HabitMassive, tabular, platy books
MiscCan be peeled off in sheets
Pyrite
ColorBrassy, gold
StreakGreenish black
Hardness6 -> 6.5
FractureConchoidal
Luster
Habit
Misc
Galena
ColorGrey
StreakLead grey
Hardness2.5 -> 3
ClevageCubic
LusterMetallic
HabitCubic
MiscBreaks off into cubes
Quartz
ColorTransparent, various
StreakWhite
Hardness7
Fracture
LusterVitreous to greasy
HabitPrismatic
MiscForms 6-sided prisms

Mineral: naturally occuring inorganic solid with crystlline structure.
Rock: naturally occuring aggregate of minerals or other solid material.

Minerals are classified by their dominant anion.

Class of mineralDescriptionExamples
SilicatesMost abundant minerals in the Earth’s crust and mantle. Composed of silicon and oxygenex
CarbonatesMajor components of limestone and marbleCalcite, Aragonite, Dolomite

Oxides
Sulfides
Sulfates
Native elements | Gold, silver, copper |

Gems

Gemsones are minerals with special value

Gems are a cut and polished stone created for jewelry

Igneous Rocks

A rock is a naturally occuring consolidated mixture of one or more minerals.

Some rocks are not formed of mienrals. Ex: Coal

The appernce of a rock is detemrined by:

  • Mineralogy, the porportions of

The texture of a rock is determined by the size, shape, and arragement of the mineral crystlals.

Igneous rocks are formed by the solidification of a melt (magma or lava)

AAAAA

extrusive = explosive