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This mineral has been mined in Iran since the ancient Persian era.

Geology - Minerals

Minerals are natural solids that make up rocks and many everyday materials. Explore how we identify minerals using simple tests like hardness, lustre and crystal shape.

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Fascinating Fact:

The colour of the powder a mineral leaves on an unglazed tile is called its streak, and it can be more reliable than surface colour.

In Specialist Nature, minerals are a hands-on way to understand geology and how rocks are built. Minerals have different properties depending on their structure and chemical makeup, so you can often identify them by testing hardness, checking how they reflect light, and noticing crystal shapes or cleavage. These clues are used by geologists in the field and help explain why different rocks behave differently, from splitting neatly to resisting scratches.

Key Terms

Hardness: How easily a mineral can be scratched, usually tested by comparing it to other materials.
Lustre: The way a mineral’s surface reflects light, such as metallic, glassy, or dull.
Cleavage: The tendency of a mineral to break along flat, repeated planes, creating smooth surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is the difference between a mineral and a rock?

A mineral is a naturally occurring solid with a specific chemical composition and structure. A rock is usually a mixture of one or more minerals, so rocks can vary widely depending on which minerals they contain.

How do you identify a mineral at home?

You can identify a mineral by observing its colour, shine, and crystal shape, then trying simple tests like scratching it with a fingernail or coin. Checking whether it breaks in flat sheets, has a magnet effect, or reacts to weak acid can also help.

Why is a mineral’s hardness important?

A mineral’s hardness matters because it helps with identification and it affects how the mineral is used. Hard minerals are chosen for cutting, grinding, or jewellery, while softer minerals may be used for powders, fillers, or as building materials.

Try These Related Quizzes

To see a larger image, click on the picture.

1 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of Arpingstone

Feldspar

Turquoise

Cadmium

Graphite

Category: Phosphate minerals
Chemical formula: CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O
Strunz classification: 08.DD.15
This mineral is found worldwide, although it is mostly concentrated in the USA.
It has been mined in Iran since the ancient Persian era.
Was brought to Europe from Turkey and its name is derived from an Old French word for 'Turkish'.

2 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of Reno Chris

Copper

Feldspar

Beryl

Talc

Category: Silicate mineral
Chemical formula: Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆
In its pure form, this mineral is colourless.
The green variety of this mineral is known as the precious gem, Emerald.
The crystals are transparent to translucent.
This mineral forms some of the most prized gemstones.

3 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.irocks.com/

Nickel

Turquoise

Malachite

Emerald

Category: Carbonate mineral
Chemical formula: Cu₂CO₃(OH)₂
Strunz classification: 05.BA.10
A very popular mineral, not least because of its striking colour and bands.
It has been polished and carved into ornaments for thousands of years.
In some ancient civilisations it was considered a protection from evil if worn as jewellery.

4 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of http://www.irocks.com/

Magnetite

Beryl

Iron

Copper

Category: Native metal
Chemical formula: Cu
Strunz classification: 01.AA.05
One of the most famous and useful metals.
Has been used as coinage for thousands of years.
When weathered, it is coated with a green tarnish.
It is an excellent conductor of electricity, second only to silver.

5 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of JJ_Harrison

Tin

Malachite

Magnetite

Quartz

Category: Silicate mineral
Chemical formula: Silica (silicon dioxide, SiO₂)
Strunz classification: 04.DA.05
One of the most well-known minerals on earth.
It is a vital constituent of many rocks.
Is used as oscillators in radios, watches and pressure gauges.
Silicon semiconductors found in computers are made from this mineral.

6 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of Fire & Hammers1

Fluorite

Kyanite

Malachite

Cadmium

Category: Halide mineral
Chemical formula: CaF₂
Strunz classification: 03.AB.25
A popular mineral which occurs naturally in all colours.
One of better known fluorescent minerals.
Blue John (found in Castleton, Derbyshire) is a variety of this mineral.
It is extensively used in the field of optics.

7 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of Aelwyn

Kyanite

Diamond

Aluminium

Fluorite

Category: Silicate mineral
Chemical formula: Al₂SiO₅
An attractive mineral, almost always blue in colour.
Unusual in that it has a large variation of hardness in the same crystal face.
Has a high melting point and low thermal conductance.
Used in the manufacture of spark plugs, ceramic products and dishware.

8 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of emagic

Iron

Graphite

Lead

Tin

Category: Native element mineral
Chemical formula: C
Strunz classification: 01.CB.05a
Has the same chemical composition as diamond, but a very different atomic structure.
A brittle mineral which needs careful handling.
Most of the commercially mined mineral is used for pencil fillings.

9 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of www.flickr.com/people/nexus2006/

Diamond

Ice

Talc

Quartz

Category: Native Minerals
Chemical formula: C
Strunz classification: 01.CB.10a
The hardest known substance in the world.
It is also the greatest conductor of heat and has the highest melting point.
Used extensively in jewellery.
Commonly known as "a girl's best friend".

10 .

What is this mineral known as?

Photograph courtesy of Archaeodontosaurus

Copper

Diamond

Magnetite

Feldspar

Category: Oxide minerals - Spinel group
Chemical formula: iron(II,III) oxide, Fe₃O₄
Strunz classification: 04.BB.05
Best known as being strongly attracted to magnets.
One form of this mineral is lodestone, a natural magnet.
This mineral will rust if kept in a moist area.
Is used in the coating process of boilers.

Author: Sarah Garratty

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