Hold it very close to your eye and bring the sample near the lens until it is in focus. For example, if your fingernail scratches your sample, look and feel for a gouge or groove in the sample, this s...Hold it very close to your eye and bring the sample near the lens until it is in focus. For example, if your fingernail scratches your sample, look and feel for a gouge or groove in the sample, this sample would represent a hardness value of less than 2.5 (H<2.5). Table 3.1: Mohs Hardness Scale is a relative hardness scale, where 1 represents a soft mineral, like talc, and 10 represents a hard mineral, like diamond. Does your sample scratch the copper or penny?
This page explains how minerals are identified through physical characteristics such as color, luster, streak, and hardness. Color can be unreliable; however, streak offers a consistent identification...This page explains how minerals are identified through physical characteristics such as color, luster, streak, and hardness. Color can be unreliable; however, streak offers a consistent identification approach. Luster is categorized as metallic or non-metallic, while hardness is measured using the Mohs Hardness Scale. Additional properties like cleavage, fracture, fluorescence, and magnetism assist in distinguishing minerals.
