Chemical composition

Composition
Color

Streak
Hardness
Crystal system
Transparency
Specific gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Striking features
Rock type

Al2Si2O5(OH)4
Basic aluminum silicate
White, gray, yellow, beige. May also be darker
colored brown, orange, or reddish-brown from
ironoxide impurities.
White
2 - 2.5
Monoclinic
Opaque. Rarely translucent.
2.6
Dull
1,1
Earthy
Brittle, sectile
Friable habit and clay-like texture
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

THE MINERAL KAOLINITE

Chemical Formula
Composition

Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal system
Transparency
Specific gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Striking features
Rock type

Fe2+Fe3+2O4
Iron oxide. May contain several different
elemental impurities partially replacing both
the first and the second iron.
Dark gray to black
Black
5.5 - 6.5
Isometric
Opaque
4.9 - 5.2
Metallic
None. May exhibit parting.
Subconchoidal to uneven
Brittle
Strong attraction to magnets, hardness,
and streak.
Igneous, Metamorphic

THE MINERAL MAGNETITE

THE MINERAL PYRITE

Chemical formula
Composition

FeS2
Iron sulfide, sometimes containing small amounts of cobalt,
nickel, silver, and gold

Color

Yellowish gray to gray. Some specimens oxidize and form a

Streak
Hardness
Crystal system
Transparency
Specific gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Striking features
Rock type

yellow-brown or iridescent film on exposedcrystal faces.

Black with a slightly green tinge
6 - 6.5
Isometric
Opaque
4.9 - 5.2
Metallic
None
Conchoidal
Brittle
Hardness, color, well shaped crystals, heaviness, and streak
Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

Chemical formula
Composition
Color
Streak
Hardness
Crystal system
Transparency
Specific gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity
Striking features
Rock type

Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
Basic magnesium silicate
White, beige, gray, yellow, brown, pink, purple, blue, green.
Rarely colorless.
White

1
Monoclinic
Transparent to opaque
2.7 - 2.8
Greasy, waxy, pearly
1,1
Uneven
Sectile
Low hardness and greasy feel
Metamorphic

THE MINERAL TALC

THE MINERAL DIAMOND

Chemical formula
Composition
Color

C
Carbon
Colorless, white, yellow, and brown, gray, and
black. Colorless Diamonds are usually lightly
tinged with yellow, orange or brown. Rarely blue,
green, red, orange, pink, or purple.

Streak
Hardness
Crystal system
Transparency
Specific gravity
Luster
Cleavage
Fracture
Tenacity

White
10
Isometric
Transparent to opaque
3.1 - 3.53
Adamantine. Rough stones have a greasy luster.
1, all sides - octahedral. Dodecahedral Diamonds,
Borts, and Carbonado exhibit poor or no cleavage.
Conchoidal

Striking features

Brittle
Immense hardness, adamantine luster, and specific
localities

Rock type

Igneous, Sedimentary