Name___________________________ Date ___________________ Period 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

	Mineral Lab
	Identification of Minerals
	( Color and Luster )

Purpose: To learn to use color and luster as tools for mineral identification.

Materials: You will need the following:

	Quartz (rose)	These samples may be obtained at the front
	Quartz (milky)	of the room. Please take only one sample of
	Plagioclase feldspar	each specimen, and return each to the proper place when the lab is completed.
	Calcite	Thank You!
	Gypsum
	Talc
	Malachite
	Magnifying glass	Pencil and scratch paper

Procedure:

Break into lab groups of 4 or 5 students as dictated by Mr. Andrews.

One member of each group should go up to the front of the class and get the mineral samples, and bring them back to the group.

Another member of the group should get magnifying glasses from Mr. A at his desk. There should be 2 per group only.

Once you have the mineral samples, and the magnifying glasses then you are ready for the next step.

One Person in the group should go up to the front of the class or where ever Mr. A has designated to get enough lab data sheets for your group.

You are now ready to begin as long as the above have been followed.

You should start by taking one mineral sample at a time and examining it as a group for color and luster. As a group you should discuss the characteristics of each sample and carefully examine each wih both the naked eye, and with the aid of the magnifying glasses. You should thenb as individuals write down on acratch paper your observations. These observations will eventually be transferred to your lab data sheets for your lab report. You will use group consensus for finding common colors(s), and you will use the luster characteristics from your mineral handouts to describe luster. Additional comments are recommeded by both individuals and the group. ( all final data is to be recorded neatly onto the data sheets)

When you have finished with the samples carefully return the minerals to the front of the room, and put them away in the proper places where they belong. One person should also return the magnifying glasses to their proper place.

You should then go back to your seat and start answering the questions. (Remember...Only your final draft goes on the lab sheet). You are expected to write out complete answers to all questions.

Click here for Lab Observation Data Sheet Click here for Analysis/ Conclusion Questions