Identification Sphalerite Identification Sheet The principal zinc ore and a notorious deceiver: brilliant adamantine to resinous luster, six-direction cleavage, and a pale streak that …
Identification Beryl (Aquamarine and Emerald) Identification Sheet The beryllium silicate behind emerald, aquamarine, and morganite: long hexagonal prisms, harder than quartz, in pegmatites.
Identification Talc Identification Sheet The Mohs 1 anchor at the bottom of the scale: so soft a fingernail scratches it, with a greasy, soapy feel no other common mineral shares.
Identification Azurite Identification Sheet The deep azure-blue copper carbonate, malachite's constant companion, confirmed by its light blue streak and acid reaction.
Identification Magnetite Identification Sheet The strongly magnetic iron oxide: black streak, octahedral crystals, and a pull on the pocket magnet no lookalike can match.
Identification Halite (Rock Salt) Identification Sheet Common rock salt: cubic crystals, perfect cubic cleavage, and the only identification sheet where the taste test is the approved test.
Identification Corundum (Ruby and Sapphire) Identification Sheet The Mohs 9 anchor at the top of every field kit: ruby and sapphire are the same mineral, identified by extreme hardness and barrel-shaped…
Identification Topaz Identification Sheet The Mohs 8 reference mineral: hard enough to scratch quartz, with perfect basal cleavage and striated prismatic crystals.
Identification Galena Identification Sheet The primary lead ore: soft, very heavy, bright lead-grey metallic, with perfect cubic cleavage.
Identification Selenite (Gypsum) Identification Sheet A very soft sulfate you can scratch with a fingernail, forming clear bladed crystals, satin spar, and desert roses.
