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Minerals and Gems
Mineral properties, the Mohs scale and well-known minerals.
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- MineralTermA natural, solid, nonliving substance with a crystal structure and set chemical makeup
- LusterTermHow the surface of a mineral reflects light
- StreakTermThe color of a mineral's powder when rubbed on a plate
- HardnessTermHow easily a mineral can be scratched
- Mohs scaleTermA scale of mineral hardness from 1 to 10
- CleavageTermWhen a mineral breaks along flat surfaces
- FractureTermWhen a mineral breaks unevenly
- Crystal formTermThe shape of a mineral's crystals
- Specific gravityTermHow heavy a mineral is compared to water
- MagnetismTermSome minerals, like magnetite, are attracted to a magnet
- OreTermA rock that has enough metal to be worth mining
- GemstoneTermA mineral cut and polished for jewelry
- Mohs hardness 1TermTalc
- Mohs hardness 2TermGypsum
- Mohs hardness 3TermCalcite
- Mohs hardness 4TermFluorite
- Mohs hardness 5TermApatite
- Mohs hardness 6TermOrthoclase feldspar
- Mohs hardness 7TermQuartz
- Mohs hardness 8TermTopaz
- Mohs hardness 9TermCorundum
- Mohs hardness 10TermDiamond
- Memory trick for the Mohs scaleTermTalc, gypsum, calcite, fluorite, apatite, orthoclase, quartz, topaz, corundum, diamond
- Softest mineralTermTalc
- Hardest natural mineralTermDiamond
- TalcTermVery soft mineral used to make baby powder
- GypsumTermSoft mineral used for plaster and drywall
- CalciteTermMineral that fizzes in vinegar; makes up limestone
- QuartzTermCommon hard mineral in sand and granite
- FeldsparTermThe most common mineral group in Earth's crust
- MicaTermMineral that splits into thin shiny sheets
- HaliteTermThe mineral name for rock salt
- PyriteTermBrassy mineral called fool's gold
- GalenaTermThe main ore of lead
- HematiteTermAn iron ore with a reddish-brown streak
- MagnetiteTermA magnetic iron ore
- BauxiteTermThe main ore of aluminum
- GraphiteTermSoft carbon mineral used in pencils
- DiamondTermCarbon mineral, the hardest natural substance
- CorundumTermMineral that makes rubies and sapphires
- RubyTermA red gem form of corundum
- SapphireTermUsually blue gem form of corundum
- EmeraldTermA green gem form of beryl
- AmethystTermPurple quartz
- TopazTermA hard gem mineral that comes in many colors
- GarnetTermA group of minerals, often deep red
- OpalTermA gem with flashing colors, made of silica and water
- TurquoiseTermA blue-green mineral used in jewelry
- JadeTermA green stone used for carvings
- MalachiteTermA bright green copper mineral
- FluoriteTermA mineral that can glow under UV light and comes in many colors
- SulfurTermA yellow mineral element
- GoldTermA soft, heavy, valuable native metal
- Native elementTermA mineral made of just one element, like gold or copper
- GeodeTermA rock with a hollow filled with crystals
- StalactiteTermA mineral formation that hangs from a cave ceiling
- StalagmiteTermA mineral formation that rises from a cave floor
- Mineral that your teeth and bones are likeTermApatite
- Birthstone for AprilTermDiamond
- Birthstone for JanuaryTermGarnet
- Birthstone for SeptemberTermSapphire
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