Index of Minerals

There are 21 minerals in the Austin Community College Standard Set, and 10 additional minerals that you may or may not be asked to learn. Examples from the campuses were used when possible; in a few cases, a more illustrative (less damaged) example was substituted from the photographer's personal collection. The minerals are presented with a detailed photograph, dimensions and weight, and provenance (where specimen was collected, if known).

The photograph pages are not labeled with the mineral name intentionally, but are linked to a separate ID page which:

1) identifies the mineral (top left)

2) specifies its chemical composition and crystal structure (difficult to memorize, usually left for Mineralogy majors)

3) comprehensive list of properties that will help you to identify the mineral, and

4) uncommon properties that could definitely identify a mineral (salty taste, magnetic, fluorescent, etc.)

5) a short list of properties that will help you to definitively identify the mineral (important - know these !!!)

The pages are separated so that you can use this site to study, test yourself, or review for a lab practical:

1) Like a flash card, look at the picture, try to identify the mineral and try to remember the distinguishing properties

2) To verify mineral name and properties, left click the button that says: " THIS MINERAL is: " to see name and properties.

OR use the Alphabetical list below to link directly to photographs of all minerals (you still have to left click "Mineral # is" to identify.