Name
Date:
Geology Clues to Identify Your Rock
| Tests |
What to
do |
What I
found out about
my rock |
| General Description |
What is the grain size and texture? Are there flecks of shiny
material?
|
|
| Color |
Look at the sample and determine its color - white, black, green,
clear, etc.
|
|
| Luster |
Look at the sample to determine if the mineral is metallic in
appearance (looks like a chunk of metal) or non-metallic (doesn't
look like a chunk of metal).
|
|
| Hardness |
Scratch the unknown rock with a known hardness to determine which is
harder. Continue doing this with harder or softer minerals from the
kit until the hardness is determined.
|
|
| Streak |
Grind a small amount of the mineral into a powder on a porcelain
streak plate and determine the color of the powder.
|
|
|
Fracture
|
Examine the mineral for areas where it is broken. Is the
break irregular or smooth?
|
|