Chapter 1. Minerals
Lab 2 Activity
Overview
For Lab 2, you will continue to work through the 22 mineral samples in your lab kit. As a reminder, you kit includes the following samples:
| Amphibole | Galena | Muscovite | Quartz (Milky) |
| Apatite | Graphite | Olivine | Quartz (Rock Crystal) |
| Biotite | Gypsum | Plagioclase feldspar | Quartz (Rose) |
| Calcite | Halite | Potassium feldspar | Sphalerite |
| Chalcopyrite | Hematite | Pyrite | |
| Fluorite | Magnetite | Pyroxene |
Samples to Use for Lab 2
Take the following samples from your kit:
| 040RMi | 090RMi | 160RMi | 210RMi |
| 050RMi | 110RMi | 170RMi | 220RMi |
| 060RMi | 130RMi | 180RMi |
Clues
- Two of the samples will display excellent cleavage in at least one direction.
- Five of the samples have a metallic or submetallic lustre.
What to Do Next
Use the Lab 2 worksheet (Figure 1.21) to record your observations and guide you through the identification process for each mineral in the Lab 2 set. Refer to Tables 1.2 to 1.4, and/or the Mineral ID Decision Tool in the Reference Tools for Minerals section of this lab manual to help you match your observations with a name.
