Crystal Habit, Mineral Color, Luster, Cleavage, Hardness, Density, Solubility - Mineralogy

Explore the fundamental properties of minerals in this comprehensive mineralogy video. Learn about crystal habits, states of aggregation, color, luster, streak, cleavage, hardness, and specific gravity. Discover how these characteristics help identify minerals, from the softest talc to the hardest diamond on the Mohs scale. Understand the reasons behind mineral colors, including the role of transition metals and phenomena like opalescence. Delve into various mineral lusters, from metallic to dull, and examine how minerals break along cleavage planes. Investigate specific gravity differences between metal-containing and non-metal minerals, and explore additional properties like magnetism, solubility, and radioactivity. Gain valuable insights into mineral identification techniques used by geologists in the field and laboratory.