MINERALSPhysical Properties

TALC

TALCColor – white, sea green, or gray

Luster – pearly

Hardness – 1

Streak – white to pale gray

Cleavage – yes

Fracture – uneven

Uses – paint, baby powder, paper, rubber, cosmetics

GYPSUM

GYPSUM• Color – white, gray,

clear, yellow, red, brown

• Luster – glassy, pearly

• Hardness – 2

• Streak – white

• Cleavage – yes

• Fracture – fibrous or thin

• Uses – wallboard, plaster, cement, plaster of Paris

CALCITE

CALCITEColor – white, gray, clear, yellow, red, brown, green, blue, or orange

Luster – glassy

Hardness – 3

Streak – white

Cleavage – yes

Fracture – conchoidal (rounded)

Uses – cement, medication, paint, soil treatment, concrete

FLUORITE

FLUORITEColor – purple, clear, yellow, green, red, blue, pink, black

Luster – glassy

Hardness – 4

Streak – white

Cleavage – yes

Fracture – rounded to uneven

Uses – in drinking water, ornamental, stone

APATITE

APATITEColor – green, brown, blue, yellow, violet, clear

Luster – glassy

Hardness – 5

Streak – white

Cleavage – no

Fracture – rounded

Uses – fertilizer, gemstone, part of teeth and bones

ORTHOCLASE (FELDSPAR)

ORTHOCLASE (FELDSPAR)

Color – white, reddish, pink, yellow

Luster – glassy

Hardness – 6

Streak – white

Cleavage – yes

Fracture – uneven

Uses – glass, ceramics, gemstone

QUARTZ (POINTS ON ROCK BASE)

QUARTZ (POINTS ON ROCK BASE)

Color – clear, white, green, brown, black, yellow, purple, gray, red, pink

Luster – glassy

Hardness – 7

Streak – white

Cleavage – no

Fracture – conchoidal (rounded)

Uses – glass making, optical, electronics

TOPAZ

TOPAZ

Color – green, yellow, amber, clear, white, blue, pink

Luster – glassy

Hardness – 8

Streak – colorless, harder than streak plate

Cleavage – yes

Fracture – uneven

Uses – gemstone

CORUNDUM

CORUNDUM(UNCUT SAPPHIRES)

Color – gray, white, brown, red,

green, yellow, blue

Luster – glassy

Hardness – 9

Streak – colorless, harder than streak plate

Cleavage – no

Fracture – conchoidal to uneven

Uses – abrasive, polishing, gemstone, sandpaper

DIAMOND

DIAMOND (CUT)

Color – clear, green, yellow, red, blue, brown, orange, black

Luster – brilliant

Hardness – 10

Streak – colorless, harder than streak plate

Cleavage – yes

Fracture – conchoidal

Uses – gemstone, abrasive