ROCK & MINERAL
IDENTIFICATION
GUIDE
ROCK & MINERAL
IDENTIFICATION
GUIDE
1
53
MINERALS
Igneous RockAphanitic -- Porphyritic -- Phenocrysts areolivine and pyroxene (therefore mafic)Olivine Pyroxene Basalt Porphyry
52
104
Igneous RockAphanitic -- Porphyritic -- Phenocrysts arePlagioclase Feldspar (therefore mafic)Plagioclase Feldspar Basalt Porphyry
Index
Sedimentary Rocks. 57Arkose .................... 63, 64Breccia .......................... 68Calcarenite .................... 77Chalk ............................. 76Chert ....................... 69, 70Conglomerate ......... 66, 67Coquina ........................ 78Crystalline Limestone ... 73Diatomite ...................... 79Evaporitic Limestone .... 74Flint .............................. 71Graywacke .................... 65Limestone ..................... 72Mudstone ................ 58, 59Oolitic Limestone ......... 75Quartz Sandstone .... 61, 62Shale ............................. 60
Metamorphic Rocks .................. 81Blueschist ..................... 90Eclogite ......................... 96Gneiss ..................... 92, 93Greenschist ................... 91Greenstone .................... 95Hornfels ........................ 83Marble ........................... 82Migmatite ...................... 94Phyllite .......................... 95Quartzite ....................... 98Schist ............................ 89Serpentinite ................... 97Skarn ................. 84, 85, 86Slate .............................. 87
2
54
Mineral (Silicate -- Sheet -- Mica)Not metallic -- 1 flexible cleavage plane (sheet),light colored; white streak.Muscovite
Igneous RockGlassy (100%)Obsidian
51
103
Igneous RockAphanitic -- Dark colored (therefore mafic)Basalt
Index
Minerals ..................... 1Actinolite ...................... 14Biotite ............................. 3Calcite ................... 4, 5, 6Chlorite ......................... 31Corundum ..................... 23Epidote .......................... 17Fluorite ...................... 7, 8Galena ........................... 24Garnet .................... 21, 22Graphite ........................ 15Gypsum ......................... 29Halite ............................ 30Hematite ........................ 25Hornblende ................... 10Kyanite .......................... 16Magnetite ...................... 26Muscovite ....................... 2Olivine .......................... 20Plagioclase Feldspar ..... 13Potassium Feldspar (K-Feldspar) ........... 12Pyrite ............................. 27Pyroxene ....................... 11Quartz .................... 18, 19Serpentine ....................... 9Talc ............................... 28
Igneous Rocks ......... 33Andesite ........................ 49Andesite Porphyry (Hornblende) .......... 50Basalt ............................ 51Basalt Porphyry (Olivine & Pyroxene) ................ 53Basalt Porphyry (Plagioclase Feldspar) ............... 52Diorite ........................... 40Gabbro ............ 41, 42, 43Granite ................... 37, 38Granite Pegmatite ......... 39Obsidian ........................ 54Peridotite ............... 44, 46Periodotite .................... 45Pumice .......................... 55Rhyolite Porphyry (K-Feldspar & Quartz) .................... 47Rhyolite Porphyry (K-Feldspar) ........... 48Scoria ............................ 34Volcanic Tuff ......... 35, 36
3
55
Mineral (Silicate -- Sheet -- Mica)Not metallic -- 1 flexible cleavage plane (sheet),dark colored; brown streak.Biotite
Igneous RockFrothy -- Light colored (therefore felsic orintermediate)Pumice
50
Igneous RockAphanitic -- Porphyritic -- Phenocrysts areHornblende (therefore Intermediate)Hornblende Andesite Porphyry
102
Te
xtu
re
Na
me
P
are
nt
rock
G
eo
log
ic
sett
ing
s
Gra
de
D
esc
rip
tio
n
Fo
lia
ted
S
late
S
hal
e B
, R, S
L
ow
D
ull
; sim
ilar
to
sh
ale,
bu
t m
ore
den
se a
nd
bre
aks
into
har
d f
lat
shee
ts. N
o
vis
ible
cry
stal
s.
P
hy
llit
e
Sh
ale
B, R
, S
Lo
w-m
ed
Sim
ilar
to
sla
te, b
ut
shee
ts a
re u
nd
ula
tin
g (
wri
nk
led
). L
ust
er i
s m
ore
sil
ky
or
sati
ny
th
an s
late
. So
me
iso
late
d c
ryst
als
mig
ht
be
vis
ible
.
S
chis
t B
asal
t/g
abb
ro,
shal
e B
, R, S
M
ed-h
igh
C
ryst
als
easi
ly v
isib
le t
hro
ug
ho
ut
rock
– u
sual
ly a
ll m
icas
, giv
ing
it
a sc
aly
lo
ok
. Fo
liat
ion
gre
ater
th
an p
hy
llit
e. M
iner
als
can
be
ga
rnet
+ b
ioti
te +
ch
lori
te
+ m
usc
ov
ite
+ q
uar
tz +
pla
gio
clas
e +
ep
ido
te +
ky
anit
e. C
hlo
rite
dis
app
ears
an
d k
yan
ite
app
ears
as
gra
de
incr
ease
s.
B
luesc
his
ts c
on
tain
a b
lue
amp
hib
ole
(g
lau
cop
han
e) o
r b
lue
sili
cate
sim
ilar
to
ep
ido
te (
law
son
ite)
. Fo
rmed
th
rou
gh
med
ium
gra
de
sub
du
ctio
n o
f b
asal
t/g
abb
ro. G
reen
sch
ists
co
nta
in g
reen
min
eral
s (a
ctin
oli
te +
ep
ido
te +
/-
chlo
rite
) g
ivin
g i
t a
gre
en a
pp
eara
nce
. Fo
rmed
th
rou
gh
med
ium
gra
de
bu
rial
of
bas
alt/
gab
bro
. (C
an a
lso
co
nta
in h
orn
ble
nd
e +
pla
gio
clas
e +
/-
gar
net
.)
G
neis
s G
ran
ite/
rhy
oli
te,
shal
e B
, R, S
H
igh
G
rain
s m
ediu
m t
o c
oar
se; l
igh
t an
d d
ark
min
eral
s se
gre
gat
ed i
nto
ban
ds.
G
nei
ssic
tex
ture
.
M
igm
ati
te
Gn
eiss
B
, R, S
V
ery
hig
h
Co
nto
rted
lay
ers:
gn
eiss
ic t
extu
re t
hat
has
bee
n f
old
ed: s
om
e o
f th
e la
yer
s/b
and
s h
ave
mel
ted
an
d c
ryst
alli
zed
as
gra
nit
e.
Weak
ly
foli
ate
d
Gre
en
sto
ne
B
asal
t/g
abb
ro
B, R
, S
Lo
w
Ver
y f
ine
gra
ined
(to
o s
mal
l to
see
cry
stal
s); l
igh
t to
yel
low
gre
en (
fro
m
chlo
rite
, ep
ido
te, a
nd
/o
r ac
tin
oli
te).
E
clo
git
e
Bas
alt/
gab
bro
S
H
igh
R
ed g
arn
ets
scat
tere
d u
nif
orm
ly t
hro
ug
ho
ut
a fi
ner
-gra
ined
gre
en g
rou
nd
mas
s (b
rig
ht-
gre
en p
yro
xen
e: o
mp
hac
ite)
. May
hav
e q
uar
tz, k
yan
ite,
or
bio
tite
.
S
erp
en
tin
ite
P
erid
oti
te
H
Med
-hig
h
Gre
en, m
ott
led
, mas
siv
e. S
mo
oth
, ro
un
ded
sli
pp
ery
su
rfac
es. C
an b
e b
lack
or
red
dis
h. U
sual
ly d
isp
lay
s sl
ick
ensi
des
S
oa
pst
on
e
Ser
pen
tin
ite
S
Hig
h
Wh
ite
to g
reen
. Ver
y s
oft
. So
apy
fee
l. P
rim
ary
min
eral
is
talc
: can
be
scra
tch
ed
wit
h f
ing
ern
ail.
No
n
foli
ate
d
Ho
rnfe
ls
Bas
alt/
gab
bro
, m
ud
sto
ne
C
All
S
ug
ary
or
mic
rocr
yst
alli
ne,
usu
ally
dar
k-c
olo
red
.
M
arb
le
(Ca
CO
3)
Pu
re l
imes
ton
e (o
nly
CaC
O3)
B
, R, S
, C
All
S
ug
ary
, san
dy
, or
cry
stal
lin
e; c
alci
te o
r d
olo
mit
e (f
orm
of
calc
ite
wit
h M
g)
cry
stal
s fu
sed
to
get
her
. Wh
ite
to p
ink
. Mig
ht
hav
e d
ark
str
eak
s.
Q
ua
rtz
ite
(S
iO2)
C
her
t (o
nly
SiO
2)
Qu
artz
San
dst
on
e B
, R, S
, C
All
S
ug
ary
, san
dy
, or
cry
stal
lin
e; c
an s
om
etim
es s
ee q
uar
tz s
and
gra
ins
fuse
d
tog
eth
er; g
rain
s w
on
’t r
ub
off
lik
e sa
nd
sto
ne.
S
ka
rn
Imp
ure
lim
esto
ne
or
cher
t, a
rko
se,
gre
yw
ack
e…
C
All
C
ryst
alli
ne;
usu
ally
wit
h l
arg
e cr
yst
als,
in
clu
din
g c
alci
te, q
uar
tz, g
arn
et,
epid
ote
, py
rox
ene
and
oth
er c
ryst
als,
lik
e su
lfid
es.
Met
amor
phic
Roc
k Id
entif
icat
ion
Cha
rt
4
56
Mineral (Carbonate)Not metallic -- Bubbles in HCL. Doublerefraction (2 images visible through clearsample). Rhombs, 3 cleavage planes (not 90),H=3.Calcite CaCO3
49
Igneous RockAphanitic -- Vesicular (<50%) -- Light Greycolor (therefore Intermediate)Andesite
101
yC
he
mic
al
sed
ime
nta
ry r
ock
(p
reci
pit
ated
min
eral
s o
r re
cry
stal
lize
d s
hel
ls –
in
terl
ock
ing
mic
rosc
op
ic c
ryst
alli
ne
tex
ture
)
Co
mp
osi
tio
n
Te
xtu
re a
nd
ph
ysi
cal
pro
pe
rtie
s N
am
e
De
po
siti
on
al
en
vir
on
me
nt
Calc
ium
carb
on
ate
C
aC
O3
Inte
rlo
ckin
g t
extu
re, c
ryst
als
too
fin
e to
se
e. L
igh
t b
row
n, g
rey
, or
wh
ite.
Lim
est
on
e
(Do
lost
on
e if
has
Mg
) P
reci
pit
atio
n i
n t
he
dee
p s
ea o
r re
cry
stal
liza
tio
n o
f sh
ells
ac
cum
ula
ted
on
th
e d
eep
sea
flo
or
(cla
stic
tex
ture
go
ne)
.
S
ph
eric
al g
rain
s li
ke
tin
y b
ead
s (<
2 m
m)
wit
h c
on
cen
tric
lam
inat
ion
s.
Oo
liti
c li
me
sto
ne
P
reci
pit
atio
n i
n t
he
surf
zo
ne
nea
r re
efs,
aro
un
d f
ine
san
d
gra
ins,
lik
e o
yst
ers
L
ayer
s o
f cr
yst
als
– fo
rmed
fro
m
evap
ora
tio
n o
f w
ater
.
Ev
ap
ori
tic
or
cry
stall
ine
lim
est
on
e
Pre
cip
itat
ion
in
sal
t la
kes
an
d i
nla
nd
sea
s.
Qu
art
z S
iO2
Inte
rlo
ckin
g t
extu
re, c
ryst
als
too
fin
e to
se
e. W
hit
e, r
ed, b
row
n, b
lack
, or
gre
en.
Ch
ert
P
reci
pit
atio
n i
n t
he
dee
p s
ea o
r h
yd
roth
erm
al z
on
es o
r re
cry
stal
liza
tio
n o
f sh
ells
acc
um
ula
ted
on
th
e d
eep
sea
fl
oo
r (c
last
ic t
extu
re g
on
e).
B
lack
no
du
les,
wit
h p
ow
der
y w
hit
e ri
nd
. F
lin
t (n
od
ula
r ch
ert)
P
reci
pit
atio
n i
n h
yd
roth
erm
al z
on
es.
Ha
lite
NaC
l C
ryst
alli
ne;
sal
ty t
aste
R
ock
sa
lt
Pre
cip
itat
ion
in
sal
t la
kes
an
d i
nla
nd
sea
s.
Gy
psu
m C
aS
O4 2
H2O
V
ery
so
ft, c
ryst
alli
ne
Ro
ck G
yp
sum
P
reci
pit
atio
n i
n s
alt
lak
es a
nd
in
lan
d s
eas.
Cla
stic
se
dim
en
tary
ro
ck (
cem
ente
d o
r co
mp
acte
d c
last
s)
Org
an
ic (
bio
che
mic
al)
se
dim
en
tary
ro
ck (
clas
ts a
re m
ost
ly s
hel
ls)
Gra
in s
izes:
G
rav
el (
>2m
m);
San
d (
>1/
16 m
m; <
2 m
m);
Mu
d (
<1/
16)
mm
Co
mp
osi
tio
n a
nd
Textu
re
Gra
in s
ize
N
am
e
De
po
siti
on
al
en
vir
on
me
nt
Calc
ium
carb
on
ate
CaC
O3
Gra
vel
C
oq
uin
a (
lim
esto
ne)
B
each
wit
h f
rin
gin
g r
eef
WH
ITE
(u
sual
ly);
Mac
ro/
mic
rosc
op
ic s
hel
l
San
d
Calc
are
nit
e (
lim
esto
ne)
A
t o
uts
ide
edg
es o
f fr
ing
ing
ree
fs
frag
men
ts; L
oo
sely
cem
ente
d; p
oro
us.
M
ud
C
ha
lk (
lim
esto
ne)
D
eep
sea
flo
or
wh
ere
pla
nk
ton
wit
h m
icro
sco
pic
C
aCO
3 sh
ells
rai
n d
ow
n.
Sil
ica S
iO2
WH
ITE
(u
sual
ly);
Mac
ro/
mic
rosc
op
ic
shel
l fr
agm
ents
. Lo
ose
ly c
emen
ted
; po
rou
s.
Mu
d
Dia
tom
ite
(ch
ert)
D
eep
sea
flo
or
wh
ere
pla
nk
ton
wit
h m
icro
sco
pic
S
iO2 sh
ells
rai
n d
ow
n.
De
trit
al
sed
ime
nta
ry r
ock
(cl
asts
are
mo
stly
ro
ck a
nd
/o
r m
iner
al f
rag
men
ts
Gra
in s
ize
Textu
re a
nd
co
mp
osi
tio
n
Nam
e
Dep
osi
tio
nal
en
vir
on
men
t
Gra
vel
R
ou
nd
ed f
rag
men
ts; p
oo
rly
so
rted
C
on
glo
me
rate
B
each
hea
dla
nd
s, n
atu
ral
lev
ees,
to
ps
of
allu
via
l fa
ns.
> 2
mm
A
ng
ula
r fr
agm
ents
; po
orl
y s
ort
ed
Bre
ccia
B
ase
of
lan
dsl
ides
, fau
lts,
an
d d
ebri
s fl
ow
s.
San
d
Mo
stly
qu
artz
gra
ins;
wel
l so
rted
; wel
l ro
un
ded
Q
ua
rtz
san
dst
on
e
Bea
ch, s
and
du
nes
(d
eser
t o
r b
each
); r
iver
ban
ks.
S
ou
rce
rock
pro
bab
ly f
ar a
way
.
< 2
mm
>
25%
po
tass
ium
fel
dsp
ar g
rain
s, w
ith
qu
artz
A
rko
se
Bea
ch s
and
s; r
iver
dep
osi
ts. S
ou
rce
rock
mo
st
lik
ely
fel
dsp
ar-r
ich
gra
nit
e.
> 1
/16
mm
M
ixed
min
eral
gra
ins/
rock
fra
gm
ents
. G
ray
wa
cke
B
each
san
ds;
riv
er d
epo
sits
. So
urc
e ro
ck
pro
bab
ly n
earb
y.
Mu
d
< 1
/16
mm
M
icro
sco
pic
qu
artz
/cl
ay g
rain
s; c
an b
e b
edd
ed.
Sh
ale
var
iety
is
com
pac
t; s
pli
ts i
nto
th
in l
ayer
s M
ud
sto
ne o
r S
ha
le
Sh
allo
w, q
uie
t la
go
on
; tid
e fl
ats;
ou
ter
con
tin
enta
l sh
elf;
dee
p s
ea.
Sedi
men
tary
Roc
k Id
entif
icat
ion
Cha
rt
5
57
Mineral (Carbonate)Not metallic -- Bubbles in HCL. Doublerefraction (2 images visible through clearsample). Rhombs, 3 cleavage planes (not 90),H=3.Calcite CaCO3
SEDIMENTARY
ROCKS
48
Igneous RockAphanitic -- Porphyritic -- Phenocrysts areK-Feldspar (therefore Felsic)K-Feldspar Rhyolite Porphyry
100
6
58
Mineral (Carbonate)Not metallic -- Bubbles in HCL. Doublerefraction (2 images visible through clearsample). Rhombs, 3 cleavage planes (not 90),H=3.Calcite CaCO3
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Mud-sized grains --NOT white -- doesn't break in layersMudstone
47
99
Igneous RockAphanitic -- Porphyritic -- Phenocrysts areK-Feldspar and Quartz (therefore Felsic)K-Feldspar & Quartz Rhyolite Porphyry
To
id
enti
fy (
nam
e) i
gn
eou
s ro
cks,
yo
u d
eter
min
e tw
o t
hin
gs
abo
ut
the
rock
: co
mp
osi
tio
n a
nd
tex
ture
. Fir
st d
eter
min
e co
mp
osi
tio
n, w
hic
h i
s b
ased
o
n m
iner
al c
on
ten
t o
r co
lor,
if
yo
u c
an’t
see
min
eral
s. T
hen
det
erm
ine
the
tex
ture
of
the
rock
an
d b
ased
on
th
e tw
o, i
den
tify
th
e ro
ck n
ame.
Co
mp
osi
tio
n
Qu
art
z
Po
tass
ium
F
eld
spa
r M
usc
ov
ite
B
ioti
te
Ho
rnb
len
de
P
lag
iocl
ase
P
yro
xe
ne
O
liv
ine
C
olo
r in
de
x (
if c
an
’t
see
min
era
ls)
Co
mp
osi
tio
na
l n
am
e
0 0
0 0
0 0-
20%
0-
20%
50
-100
%
Ver
y d
ark
U
ltra
maf
ic
0 0
0 0
0-10
%
20-6
0%
25-3
0%
0-50
%
Dar
k
Maf
ic
0 0
0 0-
5%
10-2
0%
10-6
0%
0-10
%
0 G
rey
(m
ediu
m d
ark
) In
term
edia
te
10-3
0%
0-50
%
0-5%
0-
5%
0-10
%
10%
0
0 V
ery
lig
ht
to s
alt
and
p
epp
er c
olo
red
(ca
n
con
tain
a l
ot
of
pin
k)
Fel
sic
Textu
re
P
ha
ne
riti
c A
ph
an
itic
G
lass
y
Fro
thy
P
yro
cla
stic
100%
vis
ible
cry
stal
s M
ost
cry
stal
s to
o s
mal
l to
see
10
0% g
lass
G
reat
er t
han
50%
ves
icle
s (r
est
is u
sual
ly g
lass
-lik
e)
Fra
gm
ents
of
ash
, cr
yst
als,
pu
mic
e, r
ock
s
Ult
ram
afic
P
erid
otit
e
Maf
ic
Gab
bro
Bas
alt
S
cori
a V
olca
nic
Tu
ff
Inte
rmed
iate
D
iori
te
An
desi
te
P
um
ice
Vol
can
ic T
uff
Fel
sic
Gra
nit
e R
hyol
ite
Obs
idia
n
Pu
mic
e V
olca
nic
Tu
ff
Peg
mat
itic
tex
ture
is
a su
bcat
egor
y of
Pha
ner
itic
(s
ee b
elow
for
nam
ing
info
rmat
ion
)
Por
phyr
itic
tex
ture
is
a su
bcat
egor
y of
Aph
anit
ic
(see
bel
ow f
or n
amin
g in
form
atio
n)
Ad
d P
EG
MA
TIT
E t
o t
he n
am
e I
F t
he r
ock
dis
pla
ys
peg
mati
tic
textu
re: If
an
in
tru
siv
e ig
neo
us
rock
has
ex
trem
ely
lar
ge
min
eral
s (>
2 i
nch
es
lon
g),
th
e ro
ck i
s ca
lled
a p
eg
mat
ite
. (N
amin
g e
xam
ple
s: g
ran
ite
peg
mat
ite)
NO
TE
: All
peg
mat
ites
are
ph
aner
itic
ro
cks.
A
dd
PO
RP
HY
RY
to
th
e n
am
e I
F t
he r
ock
dis
pla
ys
po
rph
yri
tic
textu
re.
If a
n a
ph
anit
ic i
gn
eou
s ro
ck h
as p
hen
ocry
sts
in i
t (l
arg
e m
iner
als
surr
ou
nd
ed b
y a
n a
ph
anit
ic m
atri
x),
it
is c
alle
d p
orp
hy
riti
c. A
dd
th
e n
ame
of
the
pro
min
ent
ph
eno
cry
st m
iner
al t
o t
he
fro
nt
of
the
rock
nam
e.
(Nam
ing
ex
amp
le: o
liv
ine
bas
alt
po
rph
yry
) N
OT
E: A
ll p
orp
hy
ries
are
ap
han
itic
ro
cks,
bec
ause
th
e m
ajo
rity
of
the
rock
(th
e g
rou
nd
mas
s, o
r m
atri
x)
is a
ph
anit
ic.
Igne
ous R
ock
Iden
tific
atio
n C
hart
7
59
Mineral (Halide)Not metallic -- Cubic or octahedral form.4 directions of cleavage.Fluorite
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Mud-sized grains --NOT white -- doesn't break in layersMudstone
46
98
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Olivine & pyroxene(therefore Ultramafic)Peridotite
Metamorphic RockNot foliated -- 100% Quartz (no reaction withacid)Parent rock: Chert (including Flint andDiatomite), Quartz SandstoneSetting: Low to High grade BRSCQuartzite
8
60
Mineral (Halide)Not metallic -- Cubic or octahedral form.4 directions of cleavage.Fluorite
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Mud-sized grains --NOT white -- breaks in layersShale
45
97
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Olivine (therefore Ultramafic)Periodotite
Metamorphic RockWeakly foliated -- Mottled green color --Can have slickensides -- Smooth -- Harder thanfingernail (not talc or soapstone)Parent rock: Mantle rock (Peridotite)Setting: High grade HSerpentinite
9
61
Mineral (Silicate)Not metallic -- Mottled green color. Smooth,curved surfaces. No cleavage. H>2.Serpentine
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Sand-sized grains --Grains are mostly quartzQuartz Sandstone
44
96
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Olivine (therefore Ultramafic)Peridotite
Metamorphic RockWeakly foliated -- Actinolite background withscattered garnets and kyaniteParent rock: Basalt -- Setting: High grade SEclogite
10
62
Mineral (Silicate -- Double Chain -- Amphibole)Not metallic -- H=5.5. Dark green or black.2 cleavages at 60 & 120. Splintery fracture.Long prisms.Hornblende
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Sand-sized grains --Grains are mostly quartzQuartz Sandstone
43
95
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Plagioclase Feldspar, Pyroxene(therefore Mafic)Gabbro
Metamorphic RockWeakly or not foliated -- Crystals too small tosee -- Green colored -- DullParent rock: BasaltSetting: Low grade BRSGreenstone
11
63
Mineral (Silicate -- Single Chain)Not metallic -- H=5.5. Dark green or black.2 cleavages at 90. (Looks like HB.)Pyroxene
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Sand-sized grains -- Grainscontain a significant amount of K-FeldsparArkose
42
94
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Plagioclase Feldspar, Pyroxene(therefore Mafic)Gabbro
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Migmatitic TextureParent rock: Shale/Mudstone (via Slate andPhyllite and Schist and Gneiss) OR Granite (viaGneiss)Setting: Very High grade BRSMigmatite
12
64
Mineral (Silicate -- Framework)Not metallic -- Subparallel exsolution lamellae.2 cleavages at 90. Pink or white color. H = 6.No twinning.Potassium Feldspar (K-Feldspar)
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Sand-sized grains -- Grainscontain a significant amount of K-FeldsparArkose
41
93
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Plagioclase Feldspar, Pyroxene(therefore Mafic)Gabbro
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Gneissic TextureParent rock: Shale/Mudstone (via Slate andPhyllite and Schist) OR GraniteSetting: High grade BRSGneiss
13
65
Mineral (Silicate -- Framework)Not metallic -- Twinning. 2 cleavages at 90.H = 6.Plagioclase Feldspar
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Sand-sized grains --Grains are mostly rock fragmentsGraywacke
40
92
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Plagioclase Feldspar, Hornblende,Biotite (therefore Intermediate)Diorite
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Gneissic TextureParent rock: Shale/Mudstone (via Slate andPhyllite and Schist) OR GraniteSetting: High grade BRSGneiss
14
66
Mineral (Silicate -- Double Chain -- Amphibole)Not metallic -- Green, thin needles.Actinolite
Sedimentary rockDetrital Clastic -- Gravel-sized, rounded grains -Grains are a mixture of rock fragments andmineralsConglomerate
39
91
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Pegmatitic -- K-Felspar, Quartz,Muscovite (therefore Felsic)Granite Pegmatite
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Schistose -- 100% visible crystals --ActinoliteParent rock: Basalt (via Greenstone)Setting: Med grade BRGreenschist
15
67
Mineral (Native Element)Metallic -- H=1. Greasy. Dark grey streak.Graphite
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Gravel-sized, rounded grains -Grains are a mixture of rock fragments andmineralsConglomerate
38
90
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- K-Feldspar, Quartz, Biotite,Muscovite, Hornblende (therefore felsic)Granite
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Schistose -- 100% visible crystals --Blue (Glauophane)Parent rock: Basalt (via Greenstone)Setting: Med grade SBlueschist
16
68
Mineral (Silicate)Not metallic -- Blue, flexible blades.Kyanite
Sedimentary RockDetrital Clastic -- Gravel-sized, angular grains --Grains are a mixture of rock fragments andmineralsBreccia
37
89
Igneous RockPhaneritic -- Quartz, K-Feldspar, Muscovite,Biotite (therefore Felsic)Granite
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Schistose -- 100% visible crystals --MicasParent rock: Shale/Mudstone (via Slate andPhyllite)Setting: Med grade BRSSchist
17
69
Mineral (Silicate -- Single Chain)Not metallic -- H=7. Green.Striated crystal faces. Massive.Epidote
Sedimentary RockChemical -- 100% Quartz composition(doesn't react with acid)Chert
36
88
Igneous RockPyroclasticVolcanic Tuff
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Phyllitic TextureA few, isolated visible crystals -- Silky lusterParent rock: Shale/Mudstone (via Slate)Setting: Low-Med grade BRSPhyllite
18
70
Mineral (Silicate -- Framework)Not metallic -- Glassy, conchoidal fracture, H=7.Hex. prism with pointed end.Quartz SiO4
Sedimentary RockChemical -- 100% Quartz composition(doesn't react with acid)Chert
35
87
Igneous RockPyroclasticVolcanic Tuff
Metamorphic RockFoliation: Slaty Cleavage -- No visible crystalsParent rock: Shale/MudstoneSetting: Low grade BRSSlate
19
71
Mineral (Silicate -- Framework)Not metallic -- Glassy, conchoidal fracture, H=7.Hex. prism with pointed end.Quartz SiO4
Sedimentary RockChemical -- 100% Quartz composition(doesn't react with acid) -- Black inside --Coating of Chalk on outsideFlint
34
86
Igneous RockFrothy -- Dark colored (therefore mafic)Scoria
Metamorphic RockNot foliated -- Calcite, Garnet, WollastoniteParent rock: Mudstone, Sandstone,Conglomerate, Breccia (as long as containsmixture of minerals)Setting: Low to High grade CSkarn
20
72
Mineral (Silicate -- Independent tetrahedra) Notmetallic -- Green, conchoidal fracture, glassy,H=7. Usually granular. Not a hexagonal crystal.Olivine
Sedimentary RockChemical -- 100% Calcite composition(reacts with acid)Limestone
33
85
IGNEOUS
ROCKS
Metamorphic RockNot foliated -- Quartz, Calcite, Garnet,RhodochrositeParent rock: Mudstone,Sandstone, Conglomerate, Breccia (as long ascontains mixture of minerals)Setting: Low to High grade CSkarn
21
73
Mineral (Silicate)Not metallic -- Dodecahedron form,red (sometimes), glassy, conchoidal fracture,H=7.Garnet
Sedimentary RockChemical -- 100% Calcite composition(reacts with acid) -- Layers of visible crystalsCrystalline Limestone
32
84
Metamorphic RockNot foliated -- Quartz, Calcite, Garnet, EpidoteParent rock: Mudstone, Sandstone,Conglomerate, Breccia (as long as containsmixture of minerals)Setting: Low to High grade CSkarn
22
74
Mineral (Silicate)Not metallic -- Dodecahedron form,red (sometimes), glassy, conchoidal fracture,H=7.Garnet
Sedimentary RockChemical -- 100% Calcite composition(reacts with acid) -- Layers of microcrystalsEvaporitic Limestone
31
83
Mineral (Silicate -- Sheet)Not metallic -- Green, nonflexible sheets.Very small flakes.Chlorite
Metamorphic RockNot foliated -- 100% Dark Composition(crystals not visible)Parent rock: Mudstone or BasaltSetting: Low to High grade CHornfels
23
75
Mineral (Oxide)Not metallic -- H=9. Barrel-shaped,flat-end hexagons.Corundum
Sedimentary RockChemical -- 100% Calcite composition(reacts with acid) -- Made of tiny beadsOolitic Limestone
30
82
Mineral (Halide)Not metallic -- Salty taste. H=2.5. Cubic formand cleavage.Halite
Metamorphic RockNot foliated -- 100% Calcite (reaction with acid)Parent rock: Limestone (including Coquina,Calcarenite, and Chalk)Setting: Low to High grade BRSCMarble
24
76
Mineral (Sulfide)Metallic -- H=2.5 -- SG=8!Silver cubes (form and cleavage).Galena
Sedimentary RockOrganic Clastic -- 100% Calcite composition(white -- reacts with acid) -- Mud-sized shellsChalk
29
81
Mineral (Sulfate)Not metallic -- H=2. 1 cleavage plane.Translucent.Gypsum
METAMORPHIC
ROCKS
25
77
Mineral (Oxide)Metallic & Nonmetallic -- Red streak. Rust.Hematite
Sedimentary RockOrganic Clastic -- 100% Calcite composition(reacts with acid) -- Sand-sized shellsCalcarenite
28
80
Mineral (Silicate -- Sheet)Not metallic -- H=1. Feels greasy or soapy.Opaque. Not metallic.Talc
26
78
Mineral (Oxide)Metallic -- Attracted to a magnet. SG=5.2.No cleavage.Magnetite
Sedimentary RockOrganic Clastic -- 100% Calcite composition(reacts with acid) -- Gravel-sized shellsCoquina
27
79
Mineral (Sulfide)Metallic -- Cubic form, brassy color, and SG=5.Pyrite
Sedimentary RockOrganic Clastic -- 100% Quartz composition(white -- doesn't react with acid) --Mud-sized shellsDiatomite