Mineral Identification Lab

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Use this game to identify each mineral sample. If you ever seem to reach a dead end, use the back button or "back to beginning" links. [[Get Started!|First Question]]

Does the mineral have a metallic luster? [[Yes|Metallic Luster]] [[No|Nonmetallic luster]] <<silently>> <<set $level1 to "">> <<set $level2 to "">> <<set $level3 to "">> <<set $level4 to "">> <<set $level5 to "">> <<set $level6 to "">> <<set $level7 to "">> <<set $level8 to "">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral magnetic? [[Yes|Magnetic]] [[No|Non-magnetic]] <<silently>> <<set $level1 to "Metallic Luster">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral have an earthy luster? [[Yes|Earthy Luster]] [[No|Non-earthy Luster]] <<silently>> <<set $level1 to "Non-metallic Luster">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral have a reddish-brown streak? [[Yes|Specular hematite][$level3 to "Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[No|Magnetite][$level3 to "No Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level2 to "Magnetic">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral's streak match its color? [[Yes|Copper][$level3 to "Streak Matches Color"]] [[No|Different-Colored Streak]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level2 to "Non-Magnetic">> <</silently>>

!!It's specular hematite! <center><img src="images/SpecularHematite.jpg" alt="Specular Hematite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Magnetite! <center><img src="images/magnetite.jpg" alt="Magnetite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Copper! <center><img src="images/Copper.jpg" alt="Copper" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Does the mineral have a reddish-brown streak? [[Yes|Specular hematite][$level4 to "Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[No|Pyrite][$level4 to "No Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level3 to "Different-Colored Streak">> <</silently>>

!!It's Pyrite! <center><img src="images/Pyrite.jpg" alt="Pyrite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral soft? [[Yes|Soft Minerals]] [[No|Non-Soft Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level2 to "Earthy Luster">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral cleave into thin sheets? [[Yes|Sheet Minerals]] [[No|Non-sheet Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level1 to "Nonmetallic Luster">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral have a greasy/soapy texture? [[Yes|Talc][$level4 to "Greasy Texture"]] [[No|Non-greasy Texture]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level3 to "Soft">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral hard enough to scratch glass? [[Yes|Jasper Quartz][$level4 to "Hard Enough to Scratch Glass"]] [[No|Medium Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level3 to "Non-Soft Minerals">> <</silently>>

!!It's Talc! <center><img src="images/Talc.jpg" alt="Talc" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Does the mineral have a gray/black streak? [[Yes|Graphite][$level5 to "Gray/Black Streak"]] [[No|Non-gray Streak]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level4 to "Non-greasy Texture">> <</silently>>

!!It's Graphite! <center><img src="images/Graphite.jpg" alt="Graphite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral's primary color white, gray, or pink? [[Yes|Gypsum][$level6 to "White, Gray, or Pink Color"]] [[No|Non-White Minerals 2]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level5 to "Non-Gray Streak">> <</silently>>

!!It's Gypsum! <center><img src="images/Gypsum.jpg" alt="Gypsum" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Jasper Quartz! <center><img src="images/JasperQuartz.jpg" alt="Jasper Quartz" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral magnetic? [[Yes|Magnetic 2]] [[No|Non-magnetic 2]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level4 to "Medium">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral have a reddish-brown streak? [[Yes|Red Hematite][$level6 to "Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[No|Magnetite][$level6 to "No Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level5 to "Magnetic">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral have a reddish-brown streak? [[Yes|Red Hematite][$level6 to "Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[No|Azurite][$level6 to "No Reddish-Brown Streak"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level5 to "Non-Magnetic">> <</silently>>

!!It's Red Hematite! <center><img src="images/RedHematite.jpg" alt="Red Hematite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Azurite! <center><img src="images/Azurite.jpg" alt="Azurite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Does the mineral have a dark color? [[Yes|Biotite][$level3 to "Dark Color"]] [[No|Muscovite][$level3 to "Not Dark Color"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level2 to "Sheet Cleavage">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral hard enough to scratch glass? [[Yes|Hard 2]] [[No|Non-hard Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level2 to "Non-Sheet Cleavage">> <</silently>>

!!It's Biotite! <center><img src="images/Biotite.jpg" alt="Biotite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Muscovite! <center><img src="images/Muscovite.jpg" alt="Muscovite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral translucent (see-through)? [[Yes|Translucent Minerals]] [[No|Opaque Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level3 to "Hard">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral colorless? [[Yes|Colorless Minerals]] [[No|Non-colorless 2]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level3 to "Non-Hard Minerals">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral colorless? [[Yes|Quartz][$level5 to "Colorless"]] [[No|Non-colorless Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level4 to "Translucent">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral mostly pink? [[Yes|Rose Quartz][$level5 to "Pink"]] [[No|Non-pink 2]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level4 to "Opaque">> <</silently>>

!!It's Quartz! <center><img src="images/Quartz.jpg" alt="Quartz" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Smoky Quartz! <center><img src="images/SmokyQuartz.jpg" alt="SmokyQuartz" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Rose Quartz! <center><img src="images/RoseQuartz.jpg" alt="Rose Quartz" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Amethyst! [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral mostly purple? [[Yes|Amethyst][$level7 to "Purple"]] [[No|Smoky Quartz][$level7 to "Not Purple"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level6 to "Non-Pink Minerals">> <</silently>>

!!It's Milky Quartz! <center><img src="images/MilkyQuartz.jpg" alt="Milky Quartz" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral mostly purple? [[Yes|Amethyst][$level7 to "Purple"]] [[No|Jasper Quartz][$level7 to "Not Purple"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level6 to "Non-White Minerals">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral mostly pink? [[Yes|Rose Quartz][$level6 to "Pink"]] [[No|Smoky Quartz][$level6 to "Not Pink"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level5 to "Non-Colorless Minerals">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral mostly white? [[Yes|Milky Quartz][$level6 to "White"]] [[No|Jasper Quartz][$level6 to "Not White"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level5 to "Non-Pink Minerals">> <</silently>>

Does the mineral show double refraction? [[Yes|Calcite][$level5 to "Double Refraction"]] [[No|Halite][$level5 to "No Double Refraction"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level4 to "Colorless Minerals">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral yellow? [[Yes|Sulfur][$level5 to "Yellow"]] [[No|Non-yellow Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level4 to "Non-Colorless Minerals">> <</silently>>

!!It's Calcite! <center><img src="images/Calcite.jpg" alt="Calcite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Halite! <center><img src="images/Halite.jpg" alt="Halite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Sulfur! <center><img src="images/Sulfur.jpg" alt="Sulfur" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral green and/or purple? [[Yes|Fluorite][$level6 to "Green and/or Purple"]] [[No|Non-green Minerals]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level5 to "Non-Yellow Minerals">> <</silently>>

!!It's Fluorite! <center><img src="images/Fluorite.jpg" alt="Fluorite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Is the mineral sparkly? [[Yes|Dolomite][$level7 to "Sparkly"]] [[No|Microcline][$level7 to "Not Sparkly"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level6 to "Non-Green Minerals">> <</silently>>

!!It's Dolomite! <center><img src="images/Dolomite.jpg" alt="Dolomite" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Microcline! <center><img src="images/Microcline.jpg" alt="Microcline" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!See Mr. Foss! ''Level 1:'' $level1 ''Level 2:'' $level2 ''Level 3:'' $level3 ''Level 4:'' $level4 ''Level 5:'' $level5 ''Level 6:'' $level6 ''Level 7:'' $level7 ''Level 8:'' $level8 [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

Does the mineral have a brown streak? [[Yes|Copper][$level7 to "White, Gray, or Pink Color"]] [[No|Non-Brown Streak]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level6 to "Not White, Gray, or Pink">> <</silently>>

Is the mineral primarily a yellow-green color?? [[Yes|Olivine][$level8 to "Yellow-Green Color"]] [[No|Beryl][$level8 to "Not Yellow-Green Color"]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]] <<silently>> <<set $level7 to "Non-Brown Streak">> <</silently>>

!!It's Olivine! <center><img src="images/Olivine.jpg" alt="Olivine" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]

!!It's Beryl! <center><img src="images/Beryl.jpg" alt="Beryl" height="300"></center> [[I don't think it is...|Error]] [[Back to Beginning|First Question]]