Haileybury School of Mines

MIN 200
Course Outline SEMESTER 2

3 hours per week {one double period to allow lab. sessions & one single period for lectures and demonstrations) Texts : as listed for Geology-Mineralogy, Semester 1

Objectives: All the work in this semester is designed to provide the broad foundation for later work in geology, ground control, geochemistry, and geophysics. The principles of physical geology are continued, as well as practical experience given with maps. air photos, and qualitative techniques in geochemistry. Detailed work in mineralogy is begun, especially with the common ore minerals.

Marking/Evaluation/~ttendance:The same criteria of evaluation hold true for this semester as in the first one. However, this time, the 'field mark' will apply to projects only and, consequently, will account for a much smaller percentage of the term mark. Any students starting school in this semester should ensure that they approach the instructor to obtain copies of the first semester course outline in order to study the policy re. marking, evaluation, and attendance.
'

.....

....

Extra Help: All students should be aware of, and take advantase of the extra instructor time available. This can be arranged at any mutually convenient hour, but a certain time is set aside (currently Thursdays, after school) during which students can ask questions, seek help, study samples, etc. As a matter of courtesy, please advise the instructor if you wish to see him at any particular time Take advantage of this help! during this interval. Excuses don't get the job done.
Course Content: Week 2-1 -exam review, term preview, landforms, top0 maps & lab exercise Week 2-2 -Prop. of minerals (colour, lustre, diaphaneity), top0 map assign., other map types, air photos Week 2-3 -Deserts & lab exercise, Mineralogy (streak to habit) Week 2-4 -Drainage systems, placers, lab exercise, terms Week 2-5 -Struct. of Earth, isostasy, introd. to plate tectonics, Mineralogy (graphite & diamond) Week 2p6 -Volcanism, Mineralogy (sulphur, gold, tellurides) Week 2-7 -Volcanism, Mineralogy (native Ag, Pt, Cu)

'March

Break)

Week 2-8 -Volcanism, turbidity currents, intrusion Week 2-9 -Salt domes, regelation, Mineralogy (py, marcasite) Week 2-10-Mountain-building, Mineralogy (pyrrhotite & chalcopyrite) Week 2-11-Heat within the Earth, mineralogy (bn, asp, realgar, orp.), Geochem. blowpipe analysis Week 2-12-Metamorphism, Geology of Canada & shield areas in particular (provinces), Mineralogy (nicc., smaltite) , Geochem. cont 'd Week 2-13-Geochem., Mineralogy (cloan., cob., ruby Ag's)
Week 2-14-Mineralogy (arg., tetra., gn, sp., stib., moly), review

* Note: various tests, quizzes, and assignments will be disseminated throughout the semester for which there will be adequate warning. Rarely, if the need arises, there may be a spot quiz to remind students that studyiny is an on-going process !

....

Instructor: P.J.Bateman
Revised March, 1992

~aileybury School of Mines MIN ? ? ?

GEOLOGY Course Outline

- MINERALOGY

Fall, 1993
SEMESTER 3

4 hours per week {one double period block for lab periods & one

double period for additional lecture topics)

Texts :

The same texts will be used in this semester as in Semester 2. In particular, students should have a current copy of: uuPhysicalGeologyuuby Plummer & McGeary, uuManual of Mineralogyuuby Hurlbut & Klein, and uuLab.Manual for Phys. Ge01.~' by Zumberge/Rutford STUDENTS SHOULD BE PREPARED TO CONSULT THESE TEXTS ON A MUCH MORE REGULAR BASIS THAN THEY MAY HAVE DONE IN THE PAST! In addition, supplementary notes will be provided off overheads and via handouts by the teacher.

There is one more small field book that second year

students require:
$ unProceduresin Field Geologyw by Tom Freeman This field manual contains practical field exercises for both Geology and Surveying. Objectives:

This course is designed to build upon the fundamental Mineralogy learned in first year, to study the crystallization of minerals, to expand knowledge of the rock-forming minerals, to introduce the concepts of petrology, and to study some of the principal secondary silicates. Also, students will be introduced to graphical methods in Structural Geology. Courses in Hydrology and Plate Tectonics (a detailed look at the evidence) will be covered concurrently. Additional computer programs relative to geology will be demonstrated and introduced.

Marking/Evaluation/Attendance: The same rules apply as in the first year Geology/Mineralogy course. Details of these policies should be reviewed from your first year course outlines. Recall that the course is run as though you-areon the job! In other words, it is otherwise, necessary to be there, on time marks (which are your wages) will be deducted.

.....

Note: As always, the final step in evaluation

for this semester will be by exam, which will count
for 40% of your final mark.

Course Content:

1 Mineralogy: - 6 crystal systems; crystallographic . axes & Miller Indices; simple, combination, & halfforms, especially with reference to the Isometric system; Chlorides, Fluorides, Oxides, & Carbonates; Silicates - and simultaneous introduction to Petrology; secondary silicates

2 . Structural Geology: - introductory graphical techniques to deal with horizontal strata, tilted strata, & rule of V's, folded strata and plunge. Continue work with folding and faulting, including work with block diagrams; problems involving the repetition and omission of beds due to both folding and faulting

3 Hydrology - this course will consist of lecture . topics and lab-type exercises. Topics will include the hydrological cycle, porosity and permeability, the water table, unconfined and confined aquifers, piezometric surface, locating wells/springs/boreholes, identifying aquifers, Theissen polygons, estimation of recharge, construction of groundwater contours & flow nets, water level change maps, some hydrostatics and hydraulics, cone of depression & surface subsidence, groundwater in fractured rock versus pervious granular material, environmental pollution exercises
4 . Plate Tectonics - a comprehensive review of the historical and present day evidence for plate tectonic theory. 5.

Review End of third semester = 60 Hours Instructor: P.J.Bateman

Revised August 17, 1993

MINERALOGY

2nd YEAR

In First Year, you were introduced to thephvsical properties

of minerals, as a means of identifying the various mineral species
and once that idea had been stressed and tested, you began the study of minerals with Native Minerals, and some Sulphides, Arsenides, etc.

...................

This

year,

we

start

by

considering

how

'

minerals

are

constructed, and use our findings to classify the mineral kingdom to allow us to identify families of minerals, broad

..........

mineral environments, and some of the characteristics that lend the physical,properties. Together, this data allows us to identify better, and to understand the basic building blocks for our later topic - Rocks.

Everything around us can be placed into two very broad classes, ORGANIC and INORGANIC. The former includes substances of including some gem materials the plant and animal kingdoms such as pearl, coral, and amber. The latter, INORGANIC, includes all substances of the mineral kingdom.

......

FORM :

mineral forms under reasonably favourabl~ circumstances, the atoms of the element that make - the up .mberal will arranve themselves in an orderly fashion .--"-. yielding a definite and characteristic internal structure CRYSTALLINE. On the other hand, if the substance is formed very rapidly, or for some reason in a way that prevents the atoms from arranging themselves in an orderly fashion, the material is called AMORPHOUS (without form) eg glass. These two forms are analogous to a battalion of soldiers
standing at attention (crystalline) versus a crowd of people

If

......
-

...

standing in a field (amorphous).

\
//

GROWTH:

C r y s t a l s grow f r o m s o l u t i o n , o f t e n i n o p e n s p a c e s s u c h a s a n d t h e a v a i l a b i l i t y o f a d e q u a t e open s p a c e of shape f o r the resulting crystals. The

geodes o r v u g s , and p e r f e c t i o n

and s u f f i c i e n t m i n e r a l i z i n g s o l u t i o n o f t e n d e t e r m i n e s t h e s i z e a t t r a c t i o n o f l i k e a t o m s , f o r m i n g l a y e r u p o n l a y e r from t h e c e n t r e outward, p r o d u c e s a d e f i n i t e g e o m e t r i c form, w i t h f a c e s s o s y m m e t r i c a l l y p l a c e d and s o smooth & h i g h l y r e f l e c t i v e , t h a t it c r e a t e s d o u b t on t h e p a r t of i n e x p e r i e n c e d o b s e r v e r s t h a t t h e y h a v e n o t b e e n made by Man. MINERAL CLASSIFICATION
A]

By

CkmAca-tion

b-N \bt-l.(=- CWAW \ a c c o r d i n g t o t h e d o m i n a n t a n i o n lbnkfy.

RbD'
Q. !

( ao x i d e s ,

halides, sulphides, s i l i c a t e s , e t c . ) characteristics

the m i n e r a l s belonging t o such a n i o n i c groups s h a r e 'family'

definite

. .. . . ..

&

they a l s o [WE

tend t o o c c u r i n s i m i l a r g e o l o g i c a l

environments

WILL FOCUS ON THIS SCHEME l

B] By & h z r n a l
of X-Rays.

Structure

a t o m s bond t o g e t h e r i n d e f i n i t e

orderly p a t t e r n s , l a r g e l y discovered by t h e e a r l y s t u d y Laue p h o t o g r a p h s

( s urlbut, H

pg.

1, for
and

i n s t a n c e , r e v e a l much a b o u t t h i s i n t e r n a l p a t t e r n , these atomic arrangements.

allow c r y s t a l l o g r a p h e r s t o c o n s t r u c t ' models i l l u s t r a t i n g

1

It should be noted t h a t t h e important anions of t h e E a r t h ' s c r u s t a n d u p p e r m a n t l e , 0-', OH-, F-, C1-, and S' -, a r e much mineral larger than the as common cations (with,the

' ) exception of K
arrangements interstices of to

T h i s . b e i n g t h e c a s e , w may v i s u a l i z e e relatively with local enough charge close-packed cations in the

(gg

structures anions,

maintain

balance.

overhead o f NaC1)

yDns

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~or-r~s

30' q ~ a ~ a a u TvJnqDnJqs t ? ~ ~ ~

a y 3 uo A ~ a 8 ~ tp3 s e q s d n o ~ a a~

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U O J ~ ~ayq D

uaafiqaq o y q t ? ~a y J
TTJM SUO:UB

* u o ? q o ~t?,zqua=, aqq p u n o m l a s a y q j o Maj qnoqt, m J o j suojue jo

t?

~ a q s n ~ 3 aTqw a q oq Tt?J?ua3 a y 3 J I uo~qsu?p~oo3 aqq

S~uo 'suer

a n ? q e S a u S u ? p u n o . x ~ n.ayq oq aA:qvTaJ s ' u o r q t ? ~q 3 8 a

st?

~ ~ e uS s ~ AT u o r q e 3 rJ S (uo~payS~od s d n o ~ ~

umouy)

Page 1 o f 6
,

Some of the chief characters o f minerals depend upon the arrangement o f t h e i r molecules, or, i n other words upon t h e i r c r y s t a l l i z a t i o n . Definition: Laue photograph: 2 25. Most minerals show a tendency t o assume d e f i n i t e geometric forms, bounded by planes. These forms are c a l l e d c r y s t a l s .
There are & systerr~so f c r y s t a l 1i z a t i o n , t o one o r another of which a1 1 c r y s t a l s belong. Substances which a r e n o t c r y s t a l 1ine, t h a t i s , t h e i r molecules a r e n o t arranged i n any d e f i n i t e o r d e r , a r e said t o be amorphous glass i s one o f these.

Crystallography, the study of c r y s t a l s , i s o f great value i n the determin-

a t i o n of minerals. Many minerals can be i d e n t i f i e d by the forms i n which they
c r y s t a l 1ize.
I n each crystal system t h e r e a r e sev,eral c r y s t a l forms. The Systems o f C r y s t a l l i z a t i o n

1.

Isometric system IS. a t rlt

<

- 3 axes

(imaginary l i n e s ) of equal length, which cross

a3t L
I

4 ,
axis

4,:

43
Q

-vertical a\
A?

,,

= b - c & =

ALSO
ayb

P : 8 --(Too

r i g h t and l e f t a x i s

fore & a f t
axis /

a3 Crystal 1ographic Axes of Reference

2.

Tetragonal system 3 axes, c r o s s i n g a t r ' t axes are o f equal length, b u t l o n g e r o r shorte

(than. t hThev twot i chorizontal

Is e er al.

Crystallization

Page 2 o f 6

3 . Hexagonal system 4 axes, 3 horizontal, & 1 vertical The three horizontal axes of equal length make an angle of 60' w i t h one o a n ~ t h e r ~ a n d t h e v e r t i c a ln e s t a n d s a t r ' t 's t o theotherthree. The v e r t i c a l a x i s i s longer o r shorter than t e h o r i z o n t a l axes.

a,=

Q,

a, f 4+

L A hl:

30;

4.
/

Orthorhomblc system

- 3 axes of

unequal length, c r o s s i n g a t r ' t

<

Is.

5.

Monoclinic system 3 axes, no two of the same l e n g t h . The r ' t and l e f t

axis i s a t r t t < ' s t o t h e v e r t i c a l . The fore and a f t . a x i s i s i n c l l n e d
t away from the v e r t i c a l ( g i v i n g the<@-beta), b u t i s a t r a < Is w i t h the
r i g h t and l e f t axis.

~ , ~ 3

a , # 3 % j/
Note:

<$

(beta) i s obtuse.

Crystal 1i z a t i o n 6. T r i c l i n S c system
,

Page 3 o f 6

3 axes, a l l of unequal length, and no tuo of t h e Is. three axes cross each other a t r ' t
C

<

a,[
' a +

bjc

o( =
@

<

alpha

&,/

$' ?

b
beta gamma

Y=

+< <

CRYST4LLOGR,*\;J!IX:

.-.:'the science

o f crys'talsa-

Crystal. Forms. -. .. There are 6 c r y s t a l systems. I n each c r y s t a l system there are several c r y s t a l forms. Some o f the c r y s t a l forms occurring i n t h e c r y s t a l s,ystems are l i s t e d below.

1.

Isometric System Simple: forms

Hurlbut p.

( v i i) Hexoctahedron :
(b) Combination forms

(i) = Hexahedron: 6 faces Cube ( i i ) Octahedron: 8 faces (ii) Rhombic Dodecahedron 12 faces i ( i v ) Tetrahexahedron: (v ) Trapezohedron : ( v i ) Trisoctahedron:

(i Cube and Octahedron:

( ii Octahedron and Rhombic Dodecahedron :
( i f i) Cube and Rhombic Dodecahedron:
Cube, Octahedron, and Trapetohedron: .

( c ) Half-forms
OD

O 0 OD &

( i i i ) Etc.

(i Tetrahedron % form of Octahedron ) Mineral Tetrahedrite (Cu, Fe, Zn, Ag)12 Sb4 SI3 (i) Pyri tohedron = Pentagonal Dodecahedron i t, form o f the Tetrahexahedron

2.

- -
TetraonalPrism facer:

Hurlbut p. v e r t i c a l faces

((

c-axi r

.
.

1 s t order prisms c u t the two h o r i z o n t a l axes equally. 2nd order prisms are one h o r i z o n t a l axis. D i tetragonal prisms cut the two h o r f z o n t a l axes unequal l y

11

H a i l e y b u r y School of Mines

Terms used ' t o d e s c r i b e Ores

Y
Ore Shoot:

Rake: Lode:

a n g l e 0 i n above diagram (-labelled

5

'pitch') BLANKET (S. A f r i c a ) n o t geometric

, ~ ,r '
.

ux:- (A;;+ ,I .\:

.. -

Vein E REEF ( A u s t r a l i a ) = LEDGE (U.S.A.) i f v e i n system gets complex

...... o f t e n
PI

Stockwork, boxwork: Chimney Manto: Cupola: Pendant: Horse:

i f mass b r e c c i a t e d , o r i r r e g u l a r r e t i c u l a t e d veining
--

. -..

PIPE

i \J. ..

T&.~'$ g ~ p , [ cdp ?,<&q~(:.tEcysTc

. .c -

FC!q1L;!,6

[' <(&<?I'
--

,y
~.

L >

flat-lying,

blanket-1 ike replacement o f r o i k , e s p e c i a l l y

i,.-.-i
1. .~

6 C- 1

.~.

-/

kg

,
.
U
~

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-r

1 imestone, by bedded o r e M % ?y6y .. PL~&) 3 2lc.G \ / upward, dome-shaped p r o j e c t i o n o f an i n t r u s i v e r o c k i n t o i t s roof isolated p a r t o f roof rocks overlying large instrusive mass, and c u t o f f by t h a t i n t r u s i v e mass p i e c e o f waste w i t h i n an orebody a) b) c) d) e) f) ribbon banded
\

,= y\

M @ N ~ pi3~9:,~ ;
,.;Gl(l.~.

x-;;'.~

--

Vein s t r u c t u r e s t o n o t e

'
1
/

.. /i

crustified comb cockade ladder

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l PLL i WWW

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1 8
Physical Properties o f 3linerals The several physical p r o p e r t i e s o f minerals are: S p e c i f i c G r a v i t y (G o r S.G.) Hardness (H) Tenacity Cleavage Fracture Colour ( c o l o r ) Lustre (luster) Diaphanei t y
(9) (10) (11) (12) (13) (14) ('1 5) (16)

I.
q 2

Page 1 o f 5

Streak Magnetism Taste Odour (odor) Feel Fusibility Structure E t cetera

;.$)g&cifi'c G r a v i t y (G br S.G.) i s the weight o f a substance compared w i t h t h a t o f an equal volume o f water. Thus a mineral w i t h a S.G. o f 3 i s t h r e e times as heavy as water.
g&
i~5.1 L ' L U ' D

S.G. = 1 3 . 6 ~ = 19.3
S.G. S.G.
=

Mercury: % Gold: Quartz:

jS65

Orthoclase: Barite: Fluorite: Gal ena :

S.G.

S.G.

S.G. = 1,5'7 S.G. = 4.5 = = 1.5'

The f i e l d method o f t e s t i n g s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y o f a mineral i s t o h e f t i t i n t h e hand. No impurity must be present because t h i s would be t e s t i n g t h e composite mass, and not t h e mineral. See the J o l l y balance devised by Kraus which i s one o f t h e best methods o f obtaining t h e s p e c i f i c g r a v i t y o f a mineral ... ~ c '661 H O D -ari-it t o l.,rfil(h~ o e 5 l a d ~ @y H A u O . S ~ll&r~dness i s resistance t o abrasion o r scratching, and i s comnonly designated 'approximately by number, according t o Moh's scale o f hardness.

p r'L

Moh's Scale o f Hardness

PAP)

(3) (4) (5)

(1) Talc (2) Gypsum Calcite F l u o r i t e ( F l uor Spar) Apatite

(6) (7) (8) (9) (10)

orthoclase (?l L o 4 Quartz Topaz Corundum Diamond

Number (8) scratches numbers 7, 6, 5, etc. Number (7) may leave a w h i t e

mark on number 8 without scratching i t t h i s i s merely t h e streak (powder) o f
(7) on number 8, not a permanent scratch.

Approximate hardness can o f t e n be determined conveniently by noting the

ease o r d i f f i c u l t y w i t h which a mineral scratches o r i s scratched by one o f the
f o l 1owi ng :

Thumb n a i l Copper or s i 1ver c o i n K n i f e blade Window glass File Quartz o r F l i n t Emery wheel

............ 2%
.3 ........... % - 6
.......... 5% - 6 .................. Wi - 7

....... 7 ........... 8 - 9

MINERALOGY

Page' 2 o f 5

With p r a c t i c e hardness can be c l o s e l y estimated w i t h t h e k n i f e alone. Hardness must be t e s t e d on a smooth sound surface, and b r i t t l e n e s s must not be confused ), s c a l y ( ), and g r a n u l a r ( w i t h hardness. Fibrous ( ) minerals o f t e n crumble e a s i l y and seem much s o f t e r than they are. The o r e minerals o f t h e heavy metals s i l v e r , copper, l e a d are s o f t , m~ostly below 3. Sulphides, arsenides, and oxides of i r o n , n i c k e l and c o b a l t a r e r e l a t i v e l y s o f t ; other sulphides are mostly s o f t , as are a l s o most carbonates,sulphates, and hydrous minerals. The very hard minerals are c h i e f l y oxides and s i l i c a t e s , and many o f them c o n t a i n aluminium. - ? @ P e h a c i t ~ i s t h e degree o r character o f cohesion. I n o t h e r words, t e n a c i t y i s t h e way a mineral tends t o c l i n g together when i t i s roughly t r e a t e d . The d i s t i nctions commonly recognized are: (a)
(b)

Sectile

- t h e mineral -

may be c u t w i t h a k n i f e .

Malleable - t h e minerals w i l l f l a t t e n under t h e h a n e r . Flexible minerals w i l l bend b u t do n o t s p r i n g back t o shape.

(c)

(d) E l a s t i c (e) B r i t t l e

minerals w i l l bend b u t w i l l then s p r i n g back t o t h e i r o r i g i n a l shape. minerals a r e f r a g i l e and e a s i l y broken, t h e opposite t o tough. Such minerals w i l l break i n t o pieces by g e n t l y hammering

( f ) Friable

minerals a r e e a s i l y crumbled o r crushed. rrlay be crumb1ed between t h e f ingers

These minerals

(g) D u c t i l e - minerals can be drawn o u t i n t o wire, o r pressed i n t o other forms. h t ~ e b 4 ~ L i C TS P K ~ A ~ R " ' ~ ~ T ) $:81kava e i s t h e capacity possessed by marly rninerals f o r breaking w i t h smooth
d a r a l l e l t o c e r t a i n a c t u a l o r p o s s i b l e c r y s t a l faces, as i n t h e basal
cleavage o f t h e micas, t h e rhombohedra1 cleavage o f c a l c i t e , and t h e cubic
cleavage o f galena. Minerals which break w i t h ease i n such d i r e c t i o n s y i e l d i n g
smooth faces are s a i d t o have p e r f e c t cleavage. I n f e r i o r degrees o f cleavage a r e
terrned d i s t i n c t , i n d i s t i n c t , imperfect, e t c . P e r f e c t and d i s t i n c t cleavage mean
p r a c t i c a l l y t h e same thing. Imperfect cleavage i s seen on t h e mineral hornblende.
Note: A c r y s t a l face i s n o t t o be confused w i t h a cleavage surface.

Fracture - i s t h e term applied t o breakage t h a t , u n l i k e cleavage, does n o t produce smooth planes. Common forms o f f r a c t u r e are: (a) Conchoidal (b) tiackly

breaking w i t h curved surfaces, o f t e n w i t h concentric markings 1ike a she1 1.

g i v i n g sharp, jagged surfaces, 1i k e broken metal.

(c) Splintery
(d)

producing elongated s p l i n t e r s , commonly due t o f i b r o u s o r c o l urnnar s t r u c t u r e .

Earthy

breaking l i k e c l a y o r chalk.

(e)

Terms such as even, uneven and rough a r e self-explanatory.

MINERALOGY Colour (Color) t h e c o l o u r of t h e mineral i s perhaps t h e most used i n i t s i d e n t i f i c a t i o n . A mineral may have b u t one c o l o u r occur i n various shades and colours ( q u a r t z ) . The c o l o u r must the f r e s h surface o r f r a c t u r e . Vitreous minerals may o f t e n be c o l oured by impuri t i es

Page 3 o f 5 important property ( p y r i t e ) o r i t may always be judged by stained o r d l s -

Lustre ( l u s t e r ) i s t h e surface appearance o f an object, o r t h e manner i n which i t r e f l e c t s l i g h t . I t i s independent of colour. Several kinds o f l u s t r e a r e commonly recognized f o r minerals. ( I ) Metal 1 i c i s t h e l u s t r e o f metals and o f some opaque minerals. Submetallic r e f e r s t o t h e same t h i n g i n a subordinate degree ( g r a p h i t e ) . A l l other l u s t r e s a r e non-metallic.

( % I ) Nsn-Metal1 i c !a) Vitreous - i s t h e l u s t r e s i m i l a r t o t h e broken surface o f glass. jb) Adamantine - i s a b r i l l i a n t o i l y l h s t r e , somewhat l i k e o i l e d uncut diamond. glass, e.g. ( c ) Resinous - i s t h e l u s t r e o f r e s i n o r s p h a l e r i t e . ' (d) Greasy, o i l y , p i t c h y , waxy, p e a r l y and s i l k y a r e s e l f - e x p l a i n i n g terms (e) D u l l - s i g n i f i e s t h e absence o f l u s t r e as i n chalk.

D i aphanei ty (Transparency)

(a)

Transparent

- can

be seen through d i s t i n c t l y , e.g.

I c e l a n d spar.

(b) Translucent (c) Opaque

can be seen through w i t h d i f f i c u l t y b u t t h e o b j e c t i s vague, e.g. - coloured mica.

impossible t o see through even t h i n sections o f such minerals, e.g. - s i l v e r , gold.

Streak i s t h e c o l o u r o f t h e f i n e s t powder o f a mineral. I t i s b e s t obtained by

rubbing t h e specimen on t h e s t r e a k - p l a t e u n t i l a d e f i n i t e c o l o u r i s obtained. The
same r e s u l t i s g o t t e n by scratching t h e mineral i n t h e t e s t f o r hardness, o r by
g r i n d i n g a gfagment i n t h e mortar, o r by crushing i t t o a f i n e powder w i t h a hammer,
o r by u s i n g a clean s t e e l f i l e . The c o l o u r o f t h e streak v a r i e s l i t t l e , even i n
pink,
those minerals t h a t show g r e a t v a r i a t i o n i n t h e c o l o u r o f t h e mass, e.g. smoky, e t c . q u a r t z which always gives a w h i t e streak.
A " c o l o u r l e s s " streak means a w h i t e streak.

--e-6 -

M netism a i s most pronounced i n magnetite, t h e o n l y mineral which i s s t r o n g l y

a t t r a c t e
by a common horseshow magnet o r a magnetized k n i f e b l a d e which w i l l p i c k
up g r a i n s t h e s i z e o f a pea o r l a r g e r . P y r r h o t i t e (magnetic p y r i t e s ) i s a l s o
t commonly magnetic. A1 so, many specimens o f hematite, ilmeni te, chrorr~i e and
frank1 i n i t e a r e weakly magnetic and a r e a t t r a c t e d i n very minute p a r t i c l e s .
Magnetic p r o p e r t i e s a r e important i n some methods o f o r e concentration. The o r e
i s ground t o t h e s i z e o f sand, etc.
The mineral magnetite possesses magnetic power and may possess p o l a r i t y . i s c a l l e d lodestone o r n a t u r a l magnet.
It

MINERALOGY Taste

page 4 o f 5

Some minerals t h a t a r e s o l u b l e i n water have a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c taste. (a) (b) (c) (d) S a l t y o r s a l ine, t h e t a s t e o f common s a l t , NaC1. A1 k a l i n e , the t a s t e o f sodium bicarbonate, NaHC03. Acid, o r sour, t h e t a s t e o f very d i l u t e acids. Cooling, t h e t a s t e of n i t r e (potassium n i t r a t e ) , KNO3, o r potassium c h l o r a t e , KC103.

Odour (odor) Some minerals y i e l d a c h a r a c t e r i s t i c odour when s t r u c k w i t h e hamner, rubbed, breathed upon o r heated.

( a ) G a r l i c - l i k e odour - due t o t h e a r s e n i c (As) content o f arsenide minerals i ACCOU~) when t h e blowpipe and charcoal bar a r e used. ( b ) Sulphurous odour - the odour o f burning sulphur (sulphur d i o x i d e ) . ( c ) Clay ( a r g i l l a c e o u s ) odour - t h e odour of c l a y o r shale when breathed upon.
F eel Feel i s t h e sensation upon touching o r handling minerals. Some t h a t a r e very s o f t a n d ~ r e a s y , soapy (unctuous = o i l y o r soothing) t o t h e touch a r e contrasted r r i t h others t h a t are notably rough o r harsh.

'

Hold a small s p l i n t e r o r fragment (1.5 m. i n diameter) i n forceps. Hold t h e s p l i n t e r so t h a t a f i n e p o i n t o r edge can be exposed t o t h e t i p o f t h e o x i d i z i n g flame w i t h o u t heating t h e forceps. I f t h e fragment tends t o f l y t o pieces, o r i f i t fuses e a s i l y , t h e charcoal bar should be used as a support.

(1) Readily f u s i b l e - i f t h e f i n e p o i n t o r edge o f s p l i n t e r fuses t o a glass when exposed t o t h e flame. ( 2 ) F u s i b l e w i t h d i f f i c u l t y - i f t h e edge i s o n l y s l i g h t l y rounded. ( 3 ) I n f u s i b l e no e f f e c t even on t h e f i n e s t edge o f mineral s p l i n t e r , o r fragment.

S t r u c t u r e ( C r y s t a l H a b i t and C r y s t a l 1ine Aggregates) f:lost minerals do n o t occur as: (I) simple i n d i v i d u a l c r y s t a l s i n nature, b u t r a t h e r as (11) aggregates o f c r y s t a l s , o r i m p e r f e c t l y formed c r y s t a l s , o r ( I I ) simply as c r y s t a l 1ine masses. Some o f t h e terms used t o descri be t h e
I s t r u c t u r e o f specimens are:

1/(1) Massive: when the specimen has an i r r e g u l a r , i n d e f i n i t e shape. I t may be f i n e , medium, o r coarse grained. & H ~ L C O C J \ : P ~ Tf? "j) Crypto-crystal1 i n e : extremely f i n e c r y s t a l 1ine: impalpable = extremely dense, compact. 3 A:, a, <3) Fibrous: composed o f f i b r e s . The f i b r e s may be paralled, r a d i a t e , o r divergent i n any d i r e c t i o n . q 4 ) Col umnar : s t o u t f ibrous , formi ng columns ( 5 ) Capi 11ary: h a i r - 1 ike f i b r e s . A c i c u l ar: needle-1 ike. d ( 7 ) Reticulated: when t h e f i b r e s cross each o t h e r forming a net-11 ke s t r u c t u r e .

4) 6

MINERALOGY
Structure (cont I d . )

Page 5 o f 5

40)

-1)
2
, /

&./

6
)

Mammi 11a r y : 1arge rounded surfaces.

Reniform: kidney-shaped masses.

.-

(16)

Botryoidal : grape-1 ike s t r u c t u r e o r small rounded surfaces. Geodal : c a v i t i e s l i n e d w i t h c r y s t a l s . Drusy : rough surfaces due t o innutnerabl e small f n p e r f e c t c r y s t a l s , e.g t h e mineral prehni te. M'lcaceous: t h i n sheets o r scales, 1i k e mica.
Larr~ellar: t h i c k sheets o r scales = p l a t e - l f k e .
Foliated: t h i n leaves.
For other s t r u c t u r a l terms used, see Text, pages

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES HAILEYBURY SCHOOL OF MINES G 101 MINERALOGY -GEOLOGY E 150 t y p i c a l mineral specimens Arranged a1 phabetical l y and numbered

------------------@ L~ehVbhG.
&

Page 1 o f 3

To

(5

@ p a a ~ l i l n t@ L yo'to

@
H A u ~ h i @ % kar

Amphi b o l e 19, 126, 72 (hornblende) Anhydrite 39

~ n o m o n y62
A p a t i t e 6, 25 Apophyl 1it e 4
Arsenopyri t e 46, 144
Asphal turn 145 As trophy1 1it e 96
Azurite 75
Bari t e 43
Beryl 138
Bruci t e 67

yo

40

T e d ~ c i M -10 " & "3i

C a l c i t e 7, 16 (limestone), 23, 66 (marble), 108, 111

115 (Iceland spar), 131
. Celesti t e 9
Cerussi t e 101
Chalcanthite 143
Chalcopyrite 42, 59, 116
Chrysocol 1a 79
Cinnabar 91
Coal , 36, 74
Copali t e 103
Copper 20, 33, 55
Corundum 29
Crocidol it e 69
Diamond 30
Dioptase 81
Dolomite 146
e Dumort i r it e 78
Epidote 83 E r y t h r i t e 95 F l u o r i t e '2, 24, 86, 132

H rn
-4

o D o d ~

+ 144

\+I

v e c ~

0
-4

Galena 48, 63
Garnet 125
Goethi t e 98
Gold 60
Graphite 134, 149
Greenoc k i t e 90
Gummi t e 88
Gypsum 22, 32

Page 2 o f 3
H a l i t e 1, 141
Hernati t e 45, 167
Hornblende 11
Huebneri t e 73
Idocrase 40
I lmeni t e 100
K a l i n i t e 140
Kaol in i t e 147
Limonite 87
L i n a r i t e 76
Magnetite 14, 54, 65, 136, 137
Meager 150
Microcl i n e 12
Muscovite 35
Molybdeni t e 64
Natrol it e 124
Nephel ine 104
Nephrite 70 (Jade)
N i c c o l i t e 56
Obsidian 18
Orthoclase 26
Phlogopite 10, 13, 117
Plagioclase 68 (Oligoclase) , 113 ( l a b r a d o r i t e ) 118 (sunstone), 127 Prochlori t e 109 P y r i t e 44, 58, 99 Pyroxene 15, 128 P y r r h o t i t e 57

, 114

(a1b i t e )

Quartz 27, 38, 51 (rose , 52 chalcedony), 53 ( f l i n t ) , 77 (amethyst], 93 [jasper), 94 (rose), 97 (smoky) 102, 110, 112, 130, 148 Scapoli t e 5, 89, 120 Scorodi t e 84 Serpentine 17, 106 S i d e r i t e 41 Silver 61 Smaltite 47 Sphaleri t e 3, 122 S t i b n i t e 123 Sulphur 31, 85, 133

Page 3 o f 3
Talc 21, 80, 105 Thaumasi t e 37 Thoriani t e 49 Topaz 8 , 28, 50 Toumaline 71, 129 Trona 142 (a1 kal i n e ) Uranium bearing 135 Vanadini t e 92 Vermicu 7 it e 34 Willemite 82, 119, 121 Zircon 139

Additional Notes