LC9: Identify common rock-forming minerals using their physical and chemical properties

A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic, solid material that has a fixed structure and a definite
chemical composition.

Identification of Minerals
There are several laboratory and field techniques used to distinguish minerals based on physical and
chemical properties. Some minerals can be identified with the use of high-powered instruments
while some can be assessed through their physical properties.

Physical Properties of Minerals

Physical properties are useful when working in the field, where there is usually no access to complex
analytical techniques. Although a particular mineral has different forms, the fundamental physical
properties are still the same. Useful physical properties to identify a mineral include color, streak,
luster, specific gravity, hardness, cleavage, tenacity, and crystal habit.

 The color of a mineral depends on the elements which constitute the crystal lattice – the
arrangement of atoms, or groups of atoms, in a specific pattern and with high symmetry. The
reflection of certain wavelengths of light by the crystal lattice results in the color perceived by
the observer.

 Streak is the color of the mineral in its powdered form.

 Luster is the relative differences in the opacity and transparency of a mineral as light is
reflected on its surface. This describes the 'sparkles' of the mineral surfaces.

 Specific gravity is the ratio of the weight of the mineral to the weight of the water with an
equal volume.

 Hardness is the measure of the resistance of a surface to abrasions or scratches. It is

generally measured using Mohs Scale of Hardness.

 Cleavage is the tendency of the mineral to be split or broken along flat surfaces.
  Fracture refers to the texture or shape of the mineral’s surface when the mineral breaks into
forms other than flat surfaces.

 Tenacity refers to the behavior of the mineral under deformation or stress such as cutting,
crushing, bending, or hitting.

 Crystal habit refers to the growth crystal pattern of a mineral as single or aggregated.

Chemical Properties of Minerals

All minerals have a certain arrangement of elements in their crystal structure. They can be
represented by a chemical formula, which presents the proportions of atoms that constitute them.
For example, the mineral quartz has a chemical formula SiO2. Its crystal structure is a continuous
framework of silicon-oxygen tetrahedra.

The chemical properties of minerals depend on their chemical formula and crystal structure.
Solubility and melting point are chemical properties commonly used to describe a mineral.

 Solubility refers the ability of a substance to dissolve in a solvent at a specified temperature.

For example, biotite, a mineral commonly found in igneous rocks, is soluble in both acid and
base solutions. The dissolution releases the loosely-bound potassium ions in the mineral.

 Melting point refers to the temperature at which solid turns into liquid. Minerals composed
of atoms that are tightly bonded within the crystal structure have high melting points. For
example, quartz melts above 1670°C.

In the laboratory, the composition and crystal structure of minerals can be analyzed through
chemical and instrumental analysis. Crystallographic techniques such as X-ray diffraction are
performed to determine the crystal structure of the mineral.

Common Rock-Forming Minerals

The most common rock-forming minerals are quartz, feldspar, mica, pyroxene, amphibole, and
olivine. All of the following silicate minerals, except for quartz, are mineral groups.

Quartz
Quartz has a chemical composition of SiO2. It is a glassy-looking hard substance with white streaks.
Despite its hardness, with a Mohs hardness of 7, it is quite brittle. Pure quartz is clear and
transparent. Colored varieties of quartz are due to elemental impurities built into its lattice. The
grains of quartz, in general, are irregular in shape.
Feldspar
Feldspar has a chemical composition of XAl(1−2)Si(3−2)O8, where X is K, Ca, or Na. It is quite hard
with a Mohs hardness of 6. It is a light-colored material, usually white, but they can have lighter
shades of red or green. It has a glassy luster. In rocks, feldspar forms rectangular crystals that break
along flat faces.

Mica
Mica is any group of hydrous potassium aluminum silicate minerals. The most common examples
are clear muscovite and black biotite. Mica is soft, with Mohs hardness ranging from 2 to 2.5. It is
easily identified by its perfect cleavage, reducing it to thin smooth flakes. Its shine is responsible for

the flashes of light in rocks such as granite and slate.

Pyroxene
Pyroxene minerals have a general composition of XY(Al,Si)2O6 where X is CaorMg and Y is
either Mg,Fe,Al. Augite is the most common of this group. It has a glassy luster with streaks of white,
light green, or light brown. It is generally black in color and has stubby prismatic crystals. Its key
feature is its two cleavages at around 90°.

Amphibole
Amphibole has a dark color with a Mohs hardness ranging from 5 to 6. Hornblende is the most
common amphibole. It has a glassy luster and an opaque characteristic. Its crystals are very long and
very thin.

Olivine
Olivine is a silicate mineral with a general chemical composition of (Mg,Fe)2 SiO4, but calcium,
manganese, and nickel can be substituted for magnesium and iron. It is known for its distinct olive-
green color and commonly used in the gemstone industry as peridot. It is a glassy looking and
transparent substance that is almost as hard as quartz. Its crystals have a granular shape.