Physical properties of minerals

Abstract

All minerals possess certain physical properties, which are considered in some detail in this chapter in the following order.

• (1) Characters depending upon light, such as colour, streak, lustre, transparency, translucency, phosphorescence and fluorescence. Optical properties required in the recognition of minerals in thin section under the microscope are dealt with in a later chapter.

• (2) Characters depending upon certain senses, such as those of taste, odour and feel.

• (3) Characters depending upon the atomic structure and state of aggregation, such as form, pseudomorphism, hardness, tenacity, fracture, cleavage and surface tension effects.