Quiz on Mineral Identification and Properties

1. Which mineral has the following properties: Cleavage:None, Color:Grayish black, Iron black, Hardness:5.5-6 - Knife Blade, Luster:Metallic, Magnetism:Naturally strong, Streak:black?

Magnetite

Hematite

Galena

Pyrite

These incorrect answers were chosen as they are common minerals with different properties not matching the given description of the mineral in question.

Explanation

These incorrect answers were chosen as they are common minerals with different properties not matching the given description of the mineral in question.

2. What mineral has uses including gemstone and sand paper, a color range of wine red to reddish brown, yellow, green, and black, a colorless streak, vitreous luster, transparent to translucent diaphaneity, no cleavage, and a hardness of 6.5 - 8?

Tourmaline

Garnet

Topaz

Quartz

Garnet fits all the given characteristics such as the color range, streak color, luster, diaphaneity, cleavage, and hardness, making it the correct answer.

Explanation

Garnet fits all the given characteristics such as the color range, streak color, luster, diaphaneity, cleavage, and hardness, making it the correct answer.

3. What mineral fits the following characteristics: Uses include: table salt, tanning. Color colorless or white, (yellow, red, blue, purple, orange if impure). Streak white. Luster vitreous. Diaphaneity transparent to translucent. Cleavage perfect, cubic. Hardness 2.5. Distinguishing Characteristics taste, cleavage. Crystal System isometric.

Quartz

Halite

Calcite

Pyrite

Halite, commonly known as rock salt, fits all the given characteristics such as uses include table salt and tanning, colorless or white color, white streak, vitreous luster, transparent to translucent diaphaneity, perfect cubic cleavage, hardness of 2.5, isometric crystal system, and a distinguishing taste and cleavage. Quartz, Pyrite, and Calcite do not match all the characteristics provided.

Explanation

Halite, commonly known as rock salt, fits all the given characteristics such as uses include table salt and tanning, colorless or white color, white streak, vitreous luster, transparent to translucent diaphaneity, perfect cubic cleavage, hardness of 2.5, isometric crystal system, and a distinguishing taste and cleavage. Quartz, Pyrite, and Calcite do not match all the characteristics provided.

4. What mineral has the following properties: Color-lead gray, Streak-lead gray, Luster-metallic, Diaphaneity-opaque, Cleavage-perfect, cubic, Hardness-2.5, Specific Gravity-7.4 - 7.6, Distinguishing Characteristics-color, luster, specific gravity, streak, Crystal System-isometric, Chemical Classification-sulfide?

Galena

Magnetite

Hematite

Pyrite

Galena matches all the given properties such as lead gray color, metallic luster, perfect cubic cleavage, isometric crystal system, and sulfide chemical classification. The other options do not match all the listed properties.

Explanation

Galena matches all the given properties such as lead gray color, metallic luster, perfect cubic cleavage, isometric crystal system, and sulfide chemical classification. The other options do not match all the listed properties.

5. What mineral has a color usually white but also colorless, gray, red, green, blue, yellow, brown, orange, a white streak, vitreous luster, transparent to translucent diaphaneity, rhombohedral cleavage, a hardness of 3, specific gravity of 2.7, and a hexagonal crystal system?

Calcite

Fluorite

Gypsum

Quartz

Calcite is the correct answer because it matches all the given characteristics such as color variability, streak, luster, diaphaneity, cleavage, hardness, specific gravity, and crystal system.

Explanation

Calcite is the correct answer because it matches all the given characteristics such as color variability, streak, luster, diaphaneity, cleavage, hardness, specific gravity, and crystal system.

6. What mineral has uses including decoration and dimension stone, and is characterized by a color range of dark green to black, a streak of gray to greenish gray, a vitreous luster, and a hardness of 5.0 - 6.0?

2

Quartzite

Obsidian

Serpentine

Jade fits the description provided in the question, with its dark green to black color, gray to greenish gray streak, vitreous luster, and hardness falling within the range of 5.0 - 6.0. On the other hand, Quartzite is typically white to gray in color, Obsidian is black and has a conchoidal fracture, and Serpentine usually ranges from yellowish-green to green in color.

Explanation

Jade fits the description provided in the question, with its dark green to black color, gray to greenish gray streak, vitreous luster, and hardness falling within the range of 5.0 - 6.0. On the other hand, Quartzite is typically white to gray in color, Obsidian is black and has a conchoidal fracture, and Serpentine usually ranges from yellowish-green to green in color.

7. Which mineral is characterized by its colorblack, dark green, dark brown, vitreous luster, and monoclinic crystal system?

Biotite

Gypsum

Hematite

Quartz

Biotite is a silicate mineral known for its dark color, vitreous luster, and monoclinic crystal system.

Explanation

Biotite is a silicate mineral known for its dark color, vitreous luster, and monoclinic crystal system.

8. What mineral is described by the following characteristics: Color pale brass yellow, Streak greenish black to brownish black, Luster metallic, Diaphaneity opaque, Cleavage indistinct, Hardness 6 - 6.5, Specific Gravity 4.9 - 5.2, Distinguishing Characteristics color, hardness, fool's gold, Crystal System isometric, Chemical Classification sulfide, Chemical Composition iron sulfide, FeS2?

Hematite

Pyrite

Galena

Chalcopyrite

Pyrite fits all the given characteristics including its color, streak, luster, hardness, specific gravity, and chemical composition.

Explanation

Pyrite fits all the given characteristics including its color, streak, luster, hardness, specific gravity, and chemical composition.

9. What mineral is characterized by its white to pale green streak, pearly luster, and perfect cleavage?

Pyrite

Quartz

Talc

Feldspar

Talc is the correct answer because it matches all the given characteristics such as white to pale green streak, pearly luster, perfect cleavage, and a hardness of 1 on the Mohs scale. Quartz, Feldspar, and Pyrite do not match all the given characteristics.

Explanation

Talc is the correct answer because it matches all the given characteristics such as white to pale green streak, pearly luster, perfect cleavage, and a hardness of 1 on the Mohs scale. Quartz, Feldspar, and Pyrite do not match all the given characteristics.

10. Which mineral exhibits cleavage along {001}, has a white to grayish green color, a density of 2.6, and a hardness of 1.5-2?

Calcite

Kaolinite

Fluorite

Quartz

Kaolinite fits the description provided in the question, with its perfect cleavage along {001}, white to grayish green color, density of 2.6, and hardness of 1.5-2. Quartz, Calcite, and Fluorite do not match all the characteristics mentioned in the question.

Explanation

Kaolinite fits the description provided in the question, with its perfect cleavage along {001}, white to grayish green color, density of 2.6, and hardness of 1.5-2. Quartz, Calcite, and Fluorite do not match all the characteristics mentioned in the question.

11. Which mineral exhibits cleavage of {001} Good, {010} Good, a color range of white, gray, bluish white, reddish white, greenish white, and a hardness of 6-6.5?

Quartz

Gypsum

Calcite

K-Feldspar

K-Feldspar matches all the given properties such as cleavage, color range, and hardness, making it the correct answer. Quartz is known for its conchoidal fracture, while Calcite and Gypsum have different cleavage patterns and hardness compared to the given information.

Explanation

K-Feldspar matches all the given properties such as cleavage, color range, and hardness, making it the correct answer. Quartz is known for its conchoidal fracture, while Calcite and Gypsum have different cleavage patterns and hardness compared to the given information.

12. Which mineral is characterized by having a white streak, vitreous luster, and perfect cleavage?

Fluorite

Quartz

GypsumSatin spar, a fibrous variety of gypsum from Derbyshire, England. Specimen is approximately 4 inches (10 centimeters) across.

Calcite

The correct answer is Gypsum because it matches all the characteristics listed in the question such as white streak, vitreous luster, and perfect cleavage. Quartz has a different luster, Calcite has a different streak color, and Fluorite has a different cleavage.

Explanation

The correct answer is Gypsum because it matches all the characteristics listed in the question such as white streak, vitreous luster, and perfect cleavage. Quartz has a different luster, Calcite has a different streak color, and Fluorite has a different cleavage.

13. What mineral is colorolive to yellowish green, has a streak that is colorless, a vitreous luster, and is transparent to translucent?

2

Topaz

Emerald

Quartz

Peridot is a gem-quality olivine mineral that is known for its olive to yellowish-green color. It has a streak that is colorless, a vitreous luster, and is transparent to translucent. Peridot is not to be confused with Emerald, Quartz, or Topaz.

Explanation

Peridot is a gem-quality olivine mineral that is known for its olive to yellowish-green color. It has a streak that is colorless, a vitreous luster, and is transparent to translucent. Peridot is not to be confused with Emerald, Quartz, or Topaz.

14. Which mineral occurs in virtually every color, has a hardness of 7, and displays a conchoidal fracture and glassy luster?

Calcite

Feldspar

Topaz

Quartz

Quartz is known for its wide range of colors, hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, and distinctive conchoidal fracture and glassy luster. Calcite is known for its perfect cleavage and rhombohedral crystal habits. Feldspar is known for its hardness and variety of colors. Topaz is known for its distinct crystal habit and hardness.

Explanation

Quartz is known for its wide range of colors, hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, and distinctive conchoidal fracture and glassy luster. Calcite is known for its perfect cleavage and rhombohedral crystal habits. Feldspar is known for its hardness and variety of colors. Topaz is known for its distinct crystal habit and hardness.

15. What mineral has the following properties: Uses: ore of iron, pigment. Color: steel gray to black, reddish brown to black. Streak: red to reddish brown. Luster: metallic, dull. Diaphaneity: opaque. Cleavage: none. Hardness: 5.0 - 6.0. Specific Gravity: 5.26. Distinguishing Characteristics: streak. Crystal System: hexagonal.

Pyrite

Hermatite

Galena

Magnetite

Hematite is known for its steel gray to black color and metallic luster. Magnetite is usually black in color with a metallic luster. Pyrite has a brassy yellow color with a metallic luster. Galena is usually gray with a metallic luster.

Explanation

Hematite is known for its steel gray to black color and metallic luster. Magnetite is usually black in color with a metallic luster. Pyrite has a brassy yellow color with a metallic luster. Galena is usually gray with a metallic luster.

16. What mineral has uses such as flux, drinking water, and ornamental stone, and is colorless, green, blue, purple, yellow, red, or black, with a white streak, vitreous luster, transparent to translucent diaphaneity, perfect octahedral cleavage, a hardness of 4, a specific gravity of 3.2, distinguishing characteristics of cleavage, hardness, and luster, and belongs to the isometric crystal system?

Flourite

Quartz

Calcite

Pyrite

Fluorite matches all the given characteristics, while the other minerals listed do not fully align with the provided properties.

Explanation

Fluorite matches all the given characteristics, while the other minerals listed do not fully align with the provided properties.

17. Which mineral has the following characteristics: uses include sulfuric acid, fertilizers, sulfur compounds, color sulfur yellow, streak white, luster resinous, diaphaneity transparent to translucent, cleavage none, hardness 1.5 - 2.5, specific gravity 2.0 - 2.1, distinguishing characteristics color and hardness, crystal system orthorhombic?

Halite

Quartz

Calcite

Sulfur

Sulfur fits all the given characteristics listed in the question, such as color, streak, luster, diaphaneity, hardness, and crystal system. The other three minerals do not match the entire set of attributes provided.

Explanation

Sulfur fits all the given characteristics listed in the question, such as color, streak, luster, diaphaneity, hardness, and crystal system. The other three minerals do not match the entire set of attributes provided.