Mineralogy Glossary

Essential terms and definitions for mineralogy and mineral collecting.

Physical Properties

The tendency of a mineral to break along flat planar surfaces determined by its crystal …

The mass per unit volume of a mineral, typically expressed in grams per cubic centimeter. …

The ability of a mineral to conduct electrical current. Native metals and graphite are good …

The way a mineral breaks when not along cleavage planes. Types include conchoidal (shell-like), uneven, …

The ease with which a mineral melts when heated, rated on the von Kobell scale …

The property of being attracted to a magnet, due to iron or other ferromagnetic elements …

A relative scale of mineral hardness from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond), based on scratch …

The continued emission of visible light by a mineral after the exciting radiation source has …

The emission of ionizing radiation by minerals containing unstable isotopes of uranium, thorium, or other …

The ratio of a mineral's weight to the weight of an equal volume of water. …

The color of a mineral's powder, typically observed by rubbing the mineral across an unglazed …

A mineral's resistance to bending, breaking, crushing, or tearing. Terms include brittle, malleable, ductile, sectile, …

The rate at which a mineral transmits heat. Diamond has exceptionally high thermal conductivity; many …

The emission of light when a mineral is scratched, crushed, or rubbed. Sphalerite and fluorite …