Name _______________________________________________
Date ____________________ Hour _______________________
MYSTERY MINERAL LAB
Purpose: Identify a variety of minerals using observation and testing.
Materials: Lab sheet, pencil, glass square, ceramic tile, mineral samples
Procedure
STEP 1 SET-UP
Work cooperatively with the team at your table.
Choose an unknown mineral to identify.
WRITE Record the mineral number on the chart
Complete each step of the data chart
Step 2 Identify the luster of your sample. How does it reflect light?
DOES IT LOOK
A .Metallic?
B. Non-metallic light color?
C. Non-metallic dark color?
WRITE Record the luster on your chart
STEP 3 Identify its hardness
DOES IT
Scratch glass?
If yes it is over five (5) on the Moh’s hardness scale.
If no then it is under five (54) and considered soft on the hardness scale.
WRITE Record the hardness on your chart
STEP 4 WRITE DOWN THE COLOR OF YOUR SAMPLE
NEXT- - -Identify its powder color using a streak test.
Carefully scratch the ceramic tile with a corner of your sample
WRITE Record the color or no color on your chart
STEP 5 Look at the provided data pages and information to identify your sample.
WRITE Record the identify of your mystery mineral.
STEP 6 Place the mineral back into the proper bag and clean off the ceramic tile
STEP 7 Return the mineral sample to the front and obtain another sample bag.
STEP 8 Repeat the procedure for at least four (4) additional minerals.
A complete lab report will have at least five samples identified
before the end of class. Turn the lab into the in-box today.
N
U
M
B
E
R
How does it
reflect light?
LUSTER
and then
Identify what you
think it is.
STREAK
NAME
COLOR
HARDNESS
CLEAVAGE
Add the chemical
formula.