Mineralogy and Petrology

4.

Physical Properties of Minerals

4.1.

Properties Related to Light

4.1.1.

4.1.1.1.

Metallic Luster

4.1.1.1.1.

Opaque Minerals

4.1.1.1.2.

High Reflectivity

4.1.1.2.

Nonmetallic Luster

4.1.1.2.1.

4.1.1.2.1.1.

Glass-like Appearance

4.1.1.2.2.

4.1.1.2.2.1.

Iridescent Quality

4.1.1.2.3.

4.1.1.2.3.1.

Amber-like Appearance

4.1.1.2.4.

4.1.1.2.4.1.

Fibrous Reflection

4.1.1.2.5.

4.1.1.2.5.1.

Diamond-like Brilliance

4.1.1.2.6.

4.1.1.2.6.1.

Matte Appearance

4.1.2.

4.1.2.1.

Causes of Color in Minerals

4.1.2.1.1.

Crystal Field Effects

4.1.2.1.2.

Charge Transfer

4.1.2.1.3.

4.1.2.1.4.

Mechanical Mixtures

4.1.2.2.

Idiochromatic vs. Allochromatic Minerals

4.1.2.2.1.

Idiochromatic Minerals

4.1.2.2.1.1.

4.1.2.2.1.2.

Consistent Coloration

4.1.2.2.2.

Allochromatic Minerals

4.1.2.2.2.1.

4.1.2.2.2.2.

Impurity-Caused Color

4.1.3.

4.1.3.1.

Streak Plate Test

4.1.3.1.1.

Testing Procedure

4.1.3.1.2.

Unglazed Porcelain

4.1.3.2.

Diagnostic Value

4.1.3.2.1.

Color Consistency

4.1.3.2.2.

Identification Aid

4.1.4.

4.1.4.1.

4.1.4.1.1.

Light Transmission

4.1.4.1.2.

Clear Visibility

4.1.4.2.

4.1.4.2.1.

Partial Light Transmission

4.1.4.2.2.

Diffused Visibility

4.1.4.3.

4.1.4.3.1.

No Light Transmission

4.1.4.3.2.

Complete Blockage

4.2.

Properties Related to Mechanical Strength

4.2.1.

4.2.1.1.

Mohs Hardness Scale

4.2.1.1.1.

Ten Standard Minerals

4.2.1.1.2.

Relative Hardness Values

4.2.1.1.3.

Scale Limitations

4.2.1.2.

Testing Methods

4.2.1.2.1.

4.2.1.2.2.

Standard Test Materials

4.2.1.2.3.

Precautions and Techniques

4.2.1.3.

Absolute Hardness

4.2.1.3.1.

Vickers Hardness

4.2.1.3.2.

4.2.2.

4.2.2.1.

4.2.2.1.1.

Fractures Easily

4.2.2.1.2.

Sharp Fragments

4.2.2.2.

4.2.2.2.1.

Deforms Under Hammer

4.2.2.2.2.

Flattens Without Breaking

4.2.2.3.

4.2.2.3.1.

Cuts Like Soft Metal

4.2.2.3.2.

Shavings Produced

4.2.2.4.

4.2.2.4.1.

Draws Into Wire

4.2.2.4.2.

Plastic Deformation

4.2.2.5.

4.2.2.5.1.

Bends Without Breaking

4.2.2.5.2.

Elastic Properties

4.2.2.6.

4.2.2.6.1.

Returns to Original Shape

4.2.2.6.2.

Temporary Deformation

4.2.3.

4.2.3.1.

Cleavage Directions

4.2.3.1.1.

Crystallographic Planes

4.2.3.1.2.

Number of Directions

4.2.3.1.3.

Angular Relationships

4.2.3.2.

Quality of Cleavage

4.2.3.2.1.

Perfect Cleavage

4.2.3.2.2.

4.2.3.2.3.

4.2.3.2.4.

4.2.3.3.

Cleavage vs. Crystal Faces

4.2.3.3.1.

Structural Differences

4.2.3.3.2.

Identification Criteria

4.2.4.

4.2.4.1.

4.2.4.1.1.

Curved Surfaces

4.2.4.1.2.

Shell-like Appearance

4.2.4.2.

4.2.4.2.1.

Irregular Surfaces

4.2.4.2.2.

4.2.4.3.

4.2.4.3.1.

Sharp Fragments

4.2.4.3.2.

Needle-like Pieces

4.2.4.4.

4.2.4.4.1.

Jagged Surfaces

4.2.4.4.2.

Metal-like Fracture

4.2.5.

4.2.5.1.

Causes of Parting

4.2.5.1.1.

Structural Weaknesses

4.2.5.1.2.

Twinning Planes

4.2.5.1.3.

Exsolution Lamellae

4.2.5.2.

Examples and Recognition

4.2.5.2.1.

Corundum Parting

4.2.5.2.2.

Pyroxene Parting

4.3.

Density and Specific Gravity

4.3.1.

Measurement Techniques

4.3.1.1.

Pycnometer Method

4.3.1.2.

Hydrostatic Weighing

4.3.1.3.

Heavy Liquid Separation

4.3.1.4.

4.3.2.

Significance in Mineral Identification

4.3.2.1.

Diagnostic Value

4.3.2.2.

Compositional Indicators

4.3.2.3.

Structural Relationships

4.3.3.

Factors Affecting Density

4.3.3.1.

4.3.3.2.

4.3.3.3.

Crystal Structure

4.4.

4.4.1.

Types of Magnetic Behavior

4.4.1.1.

4.4.1.1.1.

Strong Attraction

4.4.1.1.2.

Permanent Magnetization

4.4.1.2.

4.4.1.2.1.

Weak Attraction

4.4.1.2.2.

Temperature Dependence

4.4.1.3.

4.4.1.3.1.

4.4.1.3.2.

Universal Property

4.4.1.4.

4.4.1.4.1.

Moderate Attraction

4.4.1.4.2.

Antiparallel Alignment

4.4.2.

Magnetic Minerals

4.4.2.1.

4.4.2.2.

4.4.2.3.

4.4.2.4.

4.4.3.

Testing Methods

4.4.3.1.

Hand Magnet Tests

4.4.3.2.

Magnetic Susceptibility

4.5.

Electrical Properties

4.5.1.

4.5.1.1.

Metallic Conductors

4.5.1.2.

4.5.1.3.

4.5.2.

Piezoelectricity

4.5.2.1.

Mechanical-Electrical Coupling

4.5.2.2.

Quartz Applications

4.5.3.

Pyroelectricity

4.5.3.1.

Temperature-Induced Charges

4.5.3.2.

Tourmaline Examples

4.6.

Other Properties

4.6.1.

4.6.1.1.

Halite Recognition

4.6.1.2.

Safety Considerations

4.6.2.

4.6.2.1.

Sulfur Compounds

4.6.2.2.

Arsenic Minerals

4.6.3.

4.6.3.1.

4.6.3.2.

4.6.3.3.

4.6.4.

Reaction to Acid

4.6.4.1.

Effervescence Test

4.6.4.1.1.

Carbonate Identification

4.6.4.1.2.

4.6.4.1.3.

Safety Procedures

4.6.4.2.

Dissolution Reactions

4.6.4.3.

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5. Optical Mineralogy