7Geo_RFM12.

DOC 10/25/12
Common Rock Forming Minerals and Ore Minerals

Sample
Number Mineral Name Characteristics

Amphibole
(Hornblende)
This mineral is hornblende, part of the amphibole family. The luster is vitreous or silky. It has two cleavage planes at
approximately 60
o
and 120
o
. Hardness 5-6. The color usually includes various shades of dark green to black. The thin edges of
the mineral may transmit light. Amphiboles and pyroxenes can be confused but observation of the angle between cleavage faces
helps distinguish the two. Amphibole is common in medium-colored igneous rocks (diorite) and some metamorphic rocks. Other
members of this mineral family include tremolite and actinolite, which form asbestos, an insulating material.
Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: Ca
2
Na(Mg,Fe
2
)
4
(Al,Fe
3
,Ti)
3
Si
8
O
22
(O,OH)
2


Biotite
(black mica) The luster is usually vitreous, silky or greasy. Cleavage is perfect in one direction, along which the mineral cleaves
into thin parallel, flexible sheets. These cleavage sheets are both flexible and elastic. Hardness is 2-2.5. Streak is difficult to
determine because the mineral crumbles. The minerals color may be dark brown, green or black; thin sheets may have a smoky
color. Biotite is a minor constituent of many igneous rocks like granite and diorite and it can be a major constituent of
metamorphic rocks like mica schist. Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: K(MgFe)(AlSi
3
O
10)
)(OH)
2


Calcite
The luster of calcite may be vitreous to earthy. Cleavage is generally good in three directions, resulting in cleavage faces that
meet at approximately 60
o
and 120
o
forming a rhombus. Hardness is 3. The mineral usually appears white or colorless, but it
may be gray, red, blue, green, or yellow. Streak is difficult to determine. Reacts with weak acid, resulting in effervescence. Clear
cleavage rhombs display double diffraction. Calcite forms the sedimentary rock limestone, which can become a metamorphic
rock marble. It is important in construction, as building stones, and in making the cement used for concrete. The natural solution
of calcite by groundwater results in caves, sinkholes, solution passages, and potential water quality problems.
Mineral group: carbonates. Chemical formula: CaCO
3


Chalcopyrite
Chalcopyrite is a copper iron sulfide with a metallic luster. It is the most commonly encountered copper mineral and is the most
important ore of copper. Chalcopyrite deposits are found in hydrothermal veins, void fillings and replacements in limestones,
contact metamorphic deposits and magmatic separations. Minor amounts are found throughout many igneous, metamorphic and
sedimentary rocks. Hardness is 3.5 4.
Mineral group: sulfides. Chemical formula: CuFeS
2


Chlorite
Luster is vitreous to pearly. Cleavage is perfect in 1 direction. Hardness is 2-2.5. "Chlorite" is a name used for a group of sheet
silicate minerals with similar properties. They are primarily found in weakly metamorphosed rock and form from the alteration of
clay-rich sedimentary rocks and from alteration of pyroxenes, amphiboles and micas. They are also found in some sediments.
Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)
3
(Si,Al)
4
O
10
(OH)
2
.
(Mg,Fe)
3
(OH)
6


Copper
Luster is metallic. Color is copper colored with weathered specimens tarnished green. Cleavage is absent. Fracture is jagged.
Streak is reddish copper color. Hardness is 2.5-3 Samples are characteristically ductile, malleable and meaning it can be
pounded into other shapes, stretched into a wire and cut into slices. Native copper (copper found in a chemically uncombined
state) has been mined for centuries and now is all but depleted as an economically viable ore. Other copper minerals are far more
economical to mine and purify into metallic copper that is used for wiring, electrical components, pennies and other coins, tubing
and many other applications. Uses: Minor ore of copper, ornamental stone.
Mineral groups: native elements. Chemical formula: Cu

Fluorite
Luster is vitreous. Color is extremely variable and many times can be an intense purple, blue, green or yellow; also colorless,
reddish orange, pink, white and brown. A single crystal can be multi-colored. Cleavage is perfect in 4 directions forming
octahedrons. Fracture is irregular and brittle. Hardness is 4. The origin of the word fluorite comes from the use of fluorite as a flux
in steel and aluminum processing. It was originally referred to as fluorospar by miners and is still called that today. Fluorite is also
used as a source of fluorine for hydrofluoric acid and fluorinated water. The element fluorine also gets its name from fluorite.
Other uses of fluorite include an uncommon use as a gemstone. Mineral group: halides. Chemical formula: CaF
2


Galena
Distinct metallic luster and both mineral color and its streak are lead gray. Hardness is 2.5. The cleavage is cubic so the mineral
typically forms cubes or blocks. This mineral contains the element lead and it feels heavy when held in the hand. Galena is the
major source of lead, which is used in glass, piping, solder, storage batteries, and shielding of radioactive isotopes. Even low
levels of lead are toxic to many organisms, including humans. Mineral group: sulfides. Chemical formula: PbS

Garnet
Luster is vitreous. Color is typically red to brown, sometimes with a tinge of purple and sometimes a deep enough red to appear
black. Cleavage is absent. Fracture is conchoidal. Hardness is 6.5 - 7.5. Streak is white. Garnets as a group are relatively
common in highly metamorphosed rocks and in some igneous formations. They form under the high temperatures and/or
pressures that those types of rocks must endure. Geologists can use garnets as a gauge of how much temperature and pressure
the rock has endured. The most common crystal shape for garnets however is the rhombic dodecahedron, a twelve sided crystal
with diamond-shaped (rhombic) faces. Most garnets are red in color. Almandine is the most common of the garnets and is usually
the garnet found in garnet schists (a type of metamorphic rock composed mostly of mica). Almandine is the iron aluminum garnet.
Mineral Group: silicates. Chemical formula: Fe
3
Al
2
(SiO
4
)
3


Graphite
Color is black silver. Luster is metallic to dull. Hardness is 1 2. Cleavage is perfect in one direction. Fracture is flaky. Streak is
black gray to brownish gray, thin flakes are flexible but inelastic, mineral can leave black marks on hands and paper, weakly
conducts electricity. Graphite is a polymorph of the element carbon. diamond is another polymorph. The two share the same
chemistry, carbon, but have very different structures and very different properties.
Diamond is hardest mineral known, Graphite is one of the softest.
Diamond is an excellent electrical insulator, Graphite is a good conductor of electricity.
Diamond is the ultimate abrasive, Graphite is a very good lubricant.
Diamond is usually transparent, Graphite is opaque.
All of the differences between graphite and diamond are the result of the difference in their respective structures. Graphite has a
sheet like structure where the atoms all lie in a plane and are only weakly bonded to the graphite sheets above and below.
Diamond has a framework structure where the carbon atoms are bonded to other carbon atoms in three dimensions as opposed
to two in graphite. The carbon-carbon bonds in both minerals are actually quite strong, but it is the application of those bonds that
make the difference. Most graphite is produced through the metamorphism of organic material in rocks. Even coal is occasionally
metamorphosed into graphite. Some graphite is found in igneous rocks and also as nodules inside of iron meteorites. Used for the
lead in pencils, as a toughener of steel and as a lubricant. Mineral group: Native elements. Chemical formula: C

Gypsum
The luster is usually vitreous, pearly, or silky. Cleavage is perfect in 1 direction. Hardness is 2. the color of the mineral may be
white, transparent to translucent or colorless. Gypsum is used to make plaster for lath, wallboard and casts. Fertilizer to treat
acidic soils may include gypsum. Although gypsum is commercially important, it is found in only a few types of sedimentary
rocks. Mineral group: sulfates. Chemical formula: CaSO
4
2H
2
O
chalcopyrite
7Geo_RFM12.DOC 10/25/12


Halite
(rock salt or table salt) The luster of halite is transparent to translucent. The cleavage is cubic (three directions, each
perpendicular to the other two directions). Hardness is 2.5. The mineral is white or colorless; impurities may impart shades
of yellow, red, purple or blue. The mineral is soluble in water and has a salty taste. Halite is important as a seasoning and
preservative for food, as well as a constituent of fertilizers, weed-killers, and feed for livestock. Halite is also a major source
of sodium and chlorine for the chemical industry. Mineral group: halides. Chemical formula: NaCl

Hematite
The luster is dull or earthy, but it may be metallic, if the hematite is found in crystals. Cleave is very poor and difficult to
observe. Hardness is 5-6. The color may be reddish brown to black, but the distinctive streak is reddish brown. Hematite
is an important iron ore even a small amount can give rocks a reddish color and accounts for the color of many red rocks
and soils. Mineral group: oxides. Chemical formula: Fe
2
O
3


Magnetite
The luster is metallic to dull. The color is black. Cleavage is absent although octahedral parting can be seen on some
specimens. Fracture is conchoidal. Hardness is 5.5 - 6.5. Streak is black. Magnetite is a major ore of iron and used as
mineral specimens though not that common as a rock-forming mineral. Magnetite is a natural magnet, hence the name,
giving it a very nice distinguishing characteristic. Mineral group: oxide. Chemical formula: Fe
2
O
4

Muscovite
(white mica) The luster is usually vitreous, pearly, or silky. Cleavage is perfect in one direction, along which the mineral
cleaves into think parallel, flexible sheets. These cleavage sheets are both flexible and elastic. Hardness is 2-2.5. Streak is
difficult to determine because the mineral crumbles. The minerals overall appearance may be colorless and transparent in
thin sheets; thicker pieces may include light yellow, brown, green, or red. Muscovite is a good insulator, and it has been
used in furnace doors and electrical insulation. Powdered mica is used as fireproofing, as a lubricant and as an additive to
make wallpaper shiny and concrete sparkle. Windows on carriages and ovens were once made of powdered muscovite.
This mineral is found most commonly in igneous rocks like granite and diorite and some metamorphic rocks like schist.
Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: KAl
2
(AlSi
3
O
10)
)(OH)
2

Olivine
This is a relatively rare mineral with glassy luster. Olivine has conchoidal fracture and no cleavage. Hardness of 6.5-7.
The color may be olive, grayish green, or brown. Samples usually include a number of smaller crystals that give a sucrosic
(sugary) texture. Olivine is found in dark colored igneous rocks. Clear crystals of olivine, called peridot, are considered
semiprecious gems. Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)
2
(SiO
4
)

Orthoclase
(potassium)
feldspar
The luster is vitreous and the mineral has two good cleavage directions that intersect at near 90
o
. Hardness is 6. The
mineral color may be white, gray or flesh pink, but streak is white. Orthoclase is an important rock-forming mineral that is
found in rocks like granite and diorite. In granitic rocks a pink color often distinguishes orthoclase from plagioclase feldspar.
Its main commercial use is in the manufacture of porcelain. Mineral group: silicate. Chemical formula: K(AlSi
3
O
8
)

Plagioclase
Feldspar
The luster is vitreous, and the mineral has good cleavage directions near 90
o
. the cleavage faces usually have fine parallel
grooves, called striations; these striations are an important key to identifying plagioclase. Hardness is 6. The mineral color
may be white to dark gray. Some gray samples display iridescence when held to the light. Plagioclase is an important rock-
forming mineral. Its primary uses are in ceramics, similar to orthoclase.
Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: Na(AlSi
3
O
8
) to Ca(AlSi
3
O
8
)

Pyrite
(fools gold) This mineral has metallic luster. Crystal form is cubic, but it doesnt have cleavage. It has uneven fracture, in
which the mineral breaks along rough and curving surfaces. Hardness is 6-6.5. the color is pale brass yellow, but the
streak is greenish or brownish black. The mineral occurs with deposits of gold or copper. Pyrite is commercially important
because is provides the sulfur for manufacturing sulfuric acid and an iron sulfide that is used in wood preservative, a
disinfectant and in dyes and inks. Pyrite is found in rocks weathers to a rust-colored stain; the sulfur released in weathering
contributes to the formation of acids in the environment, resulting in acid drainage.
Mineral group: sulfides. Chemical formula: FeS
2


Pyroxene
This mineral sample (augite) is a member of the pyroxene family. The luster is vitreous. Its cleavage directions are
approximately at right angles to one another. Hardness is 5-6. the color is usually black dark green, but the streak is
difficult to observe. Pyroxenes are an important mineral constituent of dark-colored igneous rocks like basalt, andesite and
gabbro. Pyroxenes can be confused with amphiboles, but the intersection angle of the cleavage surfaces for pyroxene
(approximately 90
o
) helps distinguish it. Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: (Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al)(SiAl)
2
O
6


Sphalerite
Sphalerite is a zinc sulfide mineral commonly found in hydrothermal veins; or as fracture filings, cavity fillings and
replacements in limestone; and, contact metamorphism deposits. Lesser amounts are found in many igneous, metamorphic
and sedimentary rocks. Sphalerite is the primary ore of zinc and is often mined for its content of cadmium, indium, gallium or
germanium (these substitute for zinc within the sphalerite structure). Its six directions of cleavage, resinous to sometimes
adamantine luster and sulfur smell upon streak make sphalerite very easy to identify. Sphalerite uses include: primary ore of
zinc, mined because it contains minor amounts of indium, cadmium, germanium or gallium. Cleavage is perfect,
dodecahedral Mineral group: sulfide. Chemical formula: ZnS

Quartz
The luster is vitreous. Quartz has no cleavage, but its fracture is rough and hackly. If the fractured surface is curving it is
described as conchoidal. If quartz develops in an open space, such as inside a geode, crystals may grow into long, tapered
shapes; this should not be mistaken for cleavage. Hardness is 7. Color is white or colorless although impurities make it
almost any color. Quartz is an important rock forming mineral, occurring in igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
Its commercial uses include sand for mortar, concrete, and glass; in paints and porcelain; in radio circuits and electronics;
and as a semiprecious stone (amethyst; tigers eye, carnelian, agate, and onyx).
Mineral group: silicates. Chemical formula: SiO
2


Sulfur
Luster is vitreous to more often resinous or earthy in massive forms. Cleavage is very poor in two directions. Fracture is
conchoidal Streak is yellow. Hardness is 2.Color is a strong yellow color in thick crystals and duller yellow in small crystals
to pale yellow in massive or powdery forms. Can also be reddish or greenish yellow with impurities: The major ore of sulfur
is used for chemical production. Any other mineral does not match the unmistakable deep yellow color and the nicely
shaped crystal forms of sulfur add to its attractiveness. As for the odor, this occurs when water mixes with the sulfur and a
small amount of hydrogen sulfide (H
2
S) gas is produced. Mineral group: native elements. Chemical formula: S