Assemble Field ID Kit
1 hourPack hardness picks, streak plate, hand lens, dilute HCl dropper, magnet, and field notebook before any collecting trip.
Beginner4-8 weeks
Mineral ID Start
Complete guide for mineral id start — step-by-step workflow, tools, checklist, and expert tips to get started.
rockhoundsgeology beginners
Workflow
Run Mohs Hardness and Streak Tests
15 minutes per specimenScratch unknown specimen with picks 2–7; drag across streak plate and record color — harder mineral scratches softer.
Observe Cleavage, Fracture, and Luster
10 minutes per specimenNote whether mineral breaks along flat planes (cleavage) or curved surfaces (fracture); classify luster as metallic, vitreous, or dull.
Key to Species with Regional Field Guide
20 minutes per specimenMatch hardness, streak, cleavage, and luster to Dana or local field guide; confirm with specific gravity if still ambiguous.
Tools Used
- Mineral Hardness IdentifierPrimary
Identify approximate Mohs hardness from scratch test results against reference mineral picks in the field.
- Mineral Streak Hardness AnalyzerPrimary
Determine streak plate color requirement and compare observed streak against mineral identification keys.
- Mineral Specific GravitySupporting
Calculate specific gravity to distinguish lookalike minerals with identical hardness and streak color.
- NotepadReference
Record hardness, streak, cleavage, luster, and locality data for every specimen in field journal.
Checklist
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Equipment
Testing
Observation
Identification
Documentation
Reference Materials
Mohs Hardness Reference MineralsTable
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 |
Specific Gravity IdentityFormula
SG = mineral weight in air ÷ (weight in air − weight in water); compare to reference table for species confirmation.
Safe Field TestingStandard
Use dilute HCl with gloves and ventilation — never heat unknown minerals which may release toxic fumes.
Fresh Break
Weathered surfaces hide true streak and luster — break a small corner for testing.
SG Tiebreaker
When field tests tie two species, specific gravity test at home confirms ID.
Asbestos Risk
Fibrous minerals like asbestos-form minerals require N95 — never breathe dust from unknown specimens.
Safety Notes
- Wear safety goggles when breaking rocks — fragments fly unpredictably.
- Some minerals release toxic dust when broken — wet cutting and N95 mask for unknown specimens.