Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: What Is Crystal Cleavage?
After explaining the difference between cleavage and fracture, this resource discusses various types of cleavage and their importance in identifying minerals.
Children's Museum
Children's Museum of Indianapolis: Golden Cube Geo Mysteries
Learn how to test a material by using the five main properties of minerals to identify it at this interactive site.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Minerals Iii: The Silicates
Instructional module focusing on the Silicate minerals. Discussion includes the most common minerals on Earth such as quartz, feldspar, mica, amphibole, pyroxene, and olivine. Site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links...
Utah Education Network
Uen: Trb 4:3 Investigation 2 Classifying Rocks
Activity helps students identify basic properties of minerals and rocks.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Galleriy: What Is Luster?
Mineral Galleries provides not only a definition of luster, but also a list of common terms used to describe this mineral property.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: The Color of Minerals
This resource provides information about the color of minerals.
Other
Mineralogical Society of America: Mineral Groups
Investigate the seven different groups of minerals. In-depth information is provided on the chemistry of members of each mineral group. Pictures of different minerals are also provided.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Mineral Identification
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Classifying minerals based on physical characteristics.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Minerals
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Defines the properties of a mineral.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Minerals
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Defines the properties of a mineral.
Science4Fun
Science4 Fun: Minerals
What are minerals? Find out about the characteristics and properties of minerals, the two main types, and the importance of minerals in our diet.
James Madison University
James Madison University: Mineral Hardness and Cleavage
An explanation of the Mohs Hardness scale is followed by illustrations of crystal structures and cleavage.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Plix: Mineral Scratch Test: Mineral Identification
[Free Registration/Login Required] This website allows for a simulated scratch test to identify some unknown minerals. Site also includes a sort quiz on the topic.
Other
Caterpillar: Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future [Pdf]
This set of lesson plans was developed to accompany Ground Rules: Mining Right for a Sustainable Future, a documentary film created by Caterpillar and Science North. They introduce students to the various phases involved in mining,...
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: What Is Streak?
Streak is the color of the powder of a mineral. This page discusses the importance of streak when identifying minerals.
University of Oxford (UK)
Oxford University Museum of Modern History: Mineral Mix and Match
A simple activity where you must choose the properties that describe both the mineral and an object made from it. The activity can be played with new sets of minerals, objects, and properties.
San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum: Mineral Matters: Luster
A brief introduction to identifying a mineral by its luster. Examples of terms used to describe luster, such as metallic, glassy, and dull are listed.
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Mineral Gallery: The Mineral Hornblende
Beginning with a list of physical characteristics, this resource explains hornblende is actually a series of minerals such as Magnesio-hornblende, Ferrohornblende, and Alumino-ferro-hornblende.
Other
4th of July Fireworks Depend Upon Minerals
Have you ever wondered what gives fireworks different colors? Here is a short page explaining the connection between the minerals used in fireworks and the colors of the explosions.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Rocks and Minerals
Students will research a rock or mineral to find out some of its properties and uses. Each student will then complete a slide presentation to present findings.
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Nagt: Rock and Mineral Laboratory Exercises in Large Auditorium Classes
This set of four exercises requires each student to be provided with a rock and mineral kit, described in the downloadable activity description. They perform a detailed series of tests on the samples to discover their properties.
Indiana University
Indiana University Bloomington: Is It a Rock or Mineral? [Pdf]
In this lesson, young scholars will compare types of candy to learn about geological classification. Students will classify and sort different materials by their composition and physical properties.
National Association of Geoscience Teachers
Nagt: Rock & Mineral Bingo
Teacher instructions and all the needed materials for a challenging game of Bingo where students must apply their knowledge of rocks and minerals in order to win. Downloadable materials include a description of the activity, Bingo...