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Mineral Identification Lab

Investigate the physical properties of minerals

This mineral identification lab is from the MatchCard Science Geology Unit Study for 3rd to 8th grade. Students examine the physical properties of minerals.

mineral identification worksheet

MatchCard Science Mineral Identification Lab

Objective: Describe and use tests for identifying minerals.

MatchCard: Download below.

The MatchCard has a table with the four tests for the physical properties of minerals. MatchCard Information Pieces describe the tests and give examples. The instructors page gives the correct answers.

Mineral Identification Activity

You will need the following supplies:

Mineral Identification MatchCard and Information Pieces for each student (download below)
10 or more minerals to identify
A small hammer
A small cloth
A streak plate of unglazed porcelain (for streak color)
A Rock and Mineral Field Guide

Getting Started

Before showing the students the MatchCard, show them a mineral and ask them to describe it. Show them the field guide (without opening it) and tell them that if we can describe a mineral we can look up its physical properties to identify it.

Tell them that there are four tests that can be done after the Mohs Hardness test to identify a mineral. Let them brainstorm what physical properties might be used as mineral identification tests.

Give them the copy of the Geology 6 MatchCard as a mineral identification worksheet. They will use this MatchCard in two ways:

As the lab to identify their assortment of mineral specimens
As a review of the physical properties of minerals worksheet.

Mineral Hardness

Mineral Identification Lab #1 - Hardness

In the last MatchCard, students practiced using Mohs Test for Hardness as the first step in identifying a rock or mineral.

If you have not done so, you may wish to download and use the Mohs Hardness Test now.

Mineral Cleavage

Mineral Identification Lab #2 - Cleavage

Another one of the physical properties of minerals is cleavage. This refers to the way a mineral divides when it is split.

Minerals will divide in one, two, or three planes. This helps geologists and students identify an unknown mineral.

Use a small hammer and strike the mineral specimen that is being studied. It is advised to cover the mineral with a small cloth, or put into a cloth sock, before striking it with a hammer. This prevents small fragments from flying into someone's eye.

Luster

Mineral Identification Lab #3 - Luster

Another physical property used to identify minerals is the luster of the mineral specimen. Luster refers to the "shiny-ness" of the rock. (Shiny-ness is not actually a word, but students understand it better than luster.)

The rock's luster depends on its ability to absorb or reflect light. Here are some of the terms used to describe luster in a mineral lab:

Metallic - light reflects off of it as it does metal
Pearly - has a smooth shine on the surface, somewhat like a pearl
Adamantine - transparent or translucent, like a diamond
Waxy - most of the light is absorbed and looks like the surface of wax
Dull - all light is absorbed, giving no shine

You might wish to review the properties of light with the Refraction, reflection, and absorption Matchcard.

Surface Color of Minerals

Mineral Identification Lab #4 - Surface Color

Another one of the physical properties used to identify minerals is the surface color. With time, impurities may alter the color of the mineral.

Some minerals are always the same color. For instance, sulfur is always yellow.

On the other hand, some minerals may exist with more than one surface color. Having a field guide to compare the specimen being evaluated is necessary.

Streak Color of Minerals

Mineral Identification Lab #5 - Streak Color

This is usually one of kids' favorite activities in identifying rocks and minerals.

Minerals leave a certain color when rubbed on a streak plate. A streak plate is made of unglazed porcelain and is essential as a mineral identification tool.
Streak color is important because minerals that come in different colors still only have one streak color. The color may be different than the color of the mineral.

Download and Use the Mineral Identification MatchCard

This is the sixth Matchcard of the Geology Unit Study. You can DOWNLOAD the
Mineral Identification Lab Matchcard HERE.

The student matches the definitions and examples in the correct box of the table of physical properties of minerals.

The second page is the Instructor's Guide with the correct answers.

The third page has the Information Pieces. Student's cut them apart and place them in the correct place on their copy of the Matchcard (first page.)

For more information on how to use the Matchcards, see the MatchCard Science Instructor's Guide.

More information on this interactive unit study is below.

MatchCard Science

The activities and illustration above are from MatchCard Science, a homeschool science unit study. For the complete Geology Unit Study follow this link. This unit study provides:

hands-on demonstrations
MatchCard reviews to master the material
suggestions for science projects to complete
instructions on a complete unit study curriculum

Currently this curriculum is under-going revision. We are providing free access to the unit study, with the desire that you will provide feedback as you are field testing the materials.

Return from the Mineral Identification Lab to the MatchCard Science Main Page.

The Kid Friendly Homeschool Curriculum HOME PAGE.