Mineralogy Basics

Front

Mineral

Back

A naturally occurring, inorganic solid that has a crystalline structure and definite chemical composition.

Front

Inorganic

Back

Not formed from living things or the remains of living things.

Front

Crystal

Back

A solid in which the atoms are arranged in a pattern that repeats again and again.

Front

Streak

Back

The color of a mineral's powder.

Front

Luster

Back

The way a mineral reflects light from its surface.

Front

Mohs hardness scale

Back

A scale ranking ten minerals from softest to hardest, used in testing the hardness of minerals.

Front

Cleavage

Back

A mineral's ability to split easily along flat surfaces.

Front

Fracture

Back

The way a mineral breaks apart in an irregular way.

Front

Crystallization

Back

The process by which atoms are arranged to form a material with a crystal structure.

Front

Solution

Back

A mixture containing a solvent and at least one solute that has the same properties throughout; a mixture in which one substance is dissolved in another.