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been simplihed by limiting the range of compositions represented, although additional elemental substitutions are possible.
A few general identification guidelines and comments:
Hardness is at approximate measure of how readily a min-
are self-explanatory.
Cleavage is a mineral's tendency to break preferentally along
certain planes of weakness in the crystal structure.
the
eral scratches, oris scratched by, other minerals. Values ofhardness range from I (softest) to l0 (hardest) and are measured
against the ten reference minerals of the Mohs hardness scale
(table C.l). For example, a mineral that scratches quaz and is
ru
Mineral
talc
gypum
<- (hngernail)
calcite
e
fluorite
apatite
(copper penny)
qratlz
fop^z
corundum
diamond
'l
8
l0
518
Each chemical element is denoted by a otre- or two-letter symbol. Many of these symbols make sense in terms of the Engsh
name for the element-O for oxygen, He for helium, Si for sil
icon, and so on. Other symbols reflect the fact that, in earlier
centuries, scientists were generally versed in Latin or Geek:
The symbols Fe for iron and Pb for lead, for example, are deited from ferrum and plumbum, respectively, the Latin names
for these elements.
The chemical symbols for the elements can express the
compositions of substances very precisely. Subscripts after a
symbol indicate e number of atoms/ions of one element present in proportion to the other elements in the formula. For example, the formula FqAl2Si3Or2 represents a compound in
which, for every twelve oxygen atoms, there ale three iron
atoms, two aluminum atoms, and three silicon atoms. (This happens to be a vadety of the mineral garnet.) The chemical
guidelines:
1
2.
APPENDIX C
5',1
crystals.
4.
Rocks that are not very cohesive, that cumble apart easily
into individual grains, are generally clastic sedimentary
rocks. One other possibility would be a poorly consolidated
volcanic ash, but this should be recognizable by the nature
of the grains, many of which will be glassy shards. (Note,
however, that extensive weathering can make even a granite crumble.)
rocks may be distinguished from fine-grained volcanics because sedimentary rocks are generally softer and more likely to show a
tendency to break along bedding planes. Phenocrysts, of
coulse. indicate a (porphyritic) volcanic rock.
6. Foliated metamorphic
rocks are distinguished by their foliation (schistosity, compositional banding). Also, rocks containing abundant mica, gamet, or amphibole are commonly
metamorphic rocks.
ROCK IDENTIFICATION
One approach to rock identification is to decide whether the
sample is igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic and then look
at the detailed descriptions in the corresponding chapter How
does one identify the basic rock type? Here are some general
ldentification
7.
Nonfoliated metamorphic rocks, like quartzite and marble, resemble thei sedimentary parents but are harder, denser, and
more compact. They may also have a shiny or glittery appearace on broken surfaces, due to rccrystallization duing metamoryhism.
IEilg
A Brief Mineral ldentification Key
Formula
amphibole (e.9., hombleude)
(Na,Ca)z(Mg,Fe,Al)sSi8O22(OH)2
apatite
Cq(PO)(RCl,OH)
usually yellowish
azuaite
Cu3(C03(OH),
vivid blue
barite
BaSOn
colorless
beryl
Be3Al2Si6O rs
aqua to green
biotite (a mica)
K(Mg,FeAlSi3O ro(OH),
black
bomite
Cu5FeS
clcite
CaCOr
chalcopyrite
CUFeS?
brassy yellow
cblorite
(Mg,Fe)j(Si,Al)aOro(OH
light green
cinmba
Hgs
red
coundum
Arzo
covellite
CuS
blue
dolomite
CaMg(CO3),
white or pink
epidote
CarRAlrSi3Orr(OH)
green
fluorite
CaF,
galena
PbS
silver-gray
garnet
(Ca,Mg,Fe(Fe,Al)rSi30 D
graphite
dark gray
gypum
colorless
halite
NaCl
colorless
hematite
Fqo
kaolinite
Alrsiro5(oH)
white
kyanite
Alrsio5
blue
limonite
FeaO3(OH)6
yellow-brcwn
magnetite
FerOo
black
malachite
CurCO3(OH)2
green
molybdenite
MoS2
dark gray
muscote (a mic)
KAt3Si3Oro(OH),
colorless
olivine
(Fe,MgSioa
yellow-green
phlogopite
KMg,AlSi O'6(OH),
brown
plagioclase feldspar
(NaCaXAl,Si)rsirOs
white to gray
potassium feldspa
KAtSi3Os
pynte
FeS2
yetlow
(Na,Ca,Mg,FelSiro6
quartz
seryntine
sio2
M&SirOlOH)a
sillimanite
Al2sio5
white
sphalerite
ZnS
yellow-brown
staurolite
F%AleSiaoro(OH),
brown
sul
yellow
sylvite
KCI
Mg.SioO,(OH),
(NaCa),(Li,Mg,AlXAl,Fe,Mn)6{Bo)3Si6os(OH)a
cololess
talc
toumaline
520
green to yellow
white to green
black, red, green
Hardness
5 to 6
5
3% to 4
3 to 3'
1'lto 8
5%
3
3
3'
Other Characteristics
often forms needlelike crystals; two good cleavages forming l2Gdegree angle
crystals hexagonal in cross section
to 4
2to2k
2'A
9
ltL lo 2
3'Ato 4
6 to7
4
2%
7
I to2
metallic luster
powdered mineral effervesces in acid
glassy luster
cleaves into octahedral fragments; may fluoresce in
ulraviolet light
2Y
5' to
6'A
2
5 to7
2to3
6
3'A to 4
I fo 714
2to2k
6Yto1
2t4fo3
6
6
6 to 6'
5 to 7
7
3 to 5
6to'7
3Y to 4
7 to7%
ltL fo 2tA
2
I
'7 to1%
eafhy luster
found in high-pressurc metamorphic rocks; often foms bladelike crystals
521
;tl
APPENDIX C
TEIilITE
A Key to Aid ln Rock ldentification
fneous Rocks
Ertremely coarse-grained: Rock is a pegmatite. (Most pegmatites ae gra tic, with or without exotic minerals.)
Mphanitic
A.
Phanedtic (coase enough that all grains are visibte to the naked
eye).
A.
B.
naked eye).
D. Rock
of
composition).
i gnimb
shards:
Sedimentary Rocks
I.
II.
B.
A.
Tastes
D.
m.
if
e.
If rock
B. No
IV.
Relatively dense; compact, dark, no visible grains; massive texture, conchoidal fracture: cle, (silica).
scratcbed: dolomite.
Rock consists of grains apparently cemented or compacted together: probable clastic sedimentary rock.
A.
Coarse gmins (several millimeters or moe in diameter), perhaps with a finer matrix conglomerate if lhe graits arc
rctnded, breccia if they ae angular.
Metamorphic Rocks
I.
A. If quartz-rich,
hardness):
marble.
II.
A. very
B.
phyllite.
D. Compositional or textural
gneiss.