Mineral hardness
way it breaks
luster
streak
color
Galena
2.5
cleavage
metallic
gray-black
silver, gray
Magnetite
6
fracture
metallic
black
black
Hematite
6
fracture
metallic-dull
red-brown
red-brown, silver, black
Susan wants to identify a dark, heavy mineral sample she found in the classroom collection. She
notices there are three minerals in a chart in a reference book that might match her sample. Susan
next observes that her sample mineral has flat, reflective surfaces that break into boxlike steps. She
infers the mineral may be galena. If she is correct, one more test will verify her inference. Which
property would to best for her to observe next?
hardness
O luster
O streak
O color