Assemble Field ID Kit
1 hourPack hardness picks, streak plate, hand lens, dilute HCl dropper, magnet, and field notebook before any collecting trip.
Field context
This workflow is part of 2 niche fields
Complete guide for mineral id start — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
Pack hardness picks, streak plate, hand lens, dilute HCl dropper, magnet, and field notebook before any collecting trip.
Scratch unknown specimen with picks 2–7; drag across streak plate and record color — harder mineral scratches softer.
Note whether mineral breaks along flat planes (cleavage) or curved surfaces (fracture); classify luster as metallic, vitreous, or dull.
Match hardness, streak, cleavage, and luster to Dana or local field guide; confirm with specific gravity if still ambiguous.
Identify approximate Mohs hardness from scratch test results against reference mineral picks in the field.
Determine streak plate color requirement and compare observed streak against mineral identification keys.
Calculate specific gravity to distinguish lookalike minerals with identical hardness and streak color.
Record hardness, streak, cleavage, luster, and locality data for every specimen in field journal.
Standard minerals for scratch test calibration.
| Hardness | Mineral | Field Test |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Talc | Scratches with fingernail |
| 3 | Calcite | Fizzes with dilute HCl |
| 5.5 | Glass plate | Standard scratch reference |
| 7 | Quartz | Scratches glass easily |
Weathered surfaces hide true streak and luster — break a small corner for testing.
When field tests tie two species, specific gravity test at home confirms ID.
Fibrous minerals like asbestos-form minerals require N95 — never breathe dust from unknown specimens.