.... Having investigated the physical properties of minerals, you are now prepared to proceed with the identification of the mineral specimens.
.... To identify a mineral, you must first determine, using available materials, as many of its physical properties as you can. Next, knowing the properties of the mineral, you proceed to a mineral identification key, which often functions like an outline, to narrow down the choices and arrive at a specific name. As you complete the exercise, remember that the goal is to learn the procedure for identifying minerals through observation and not simply to put a name on them.

.... Arrange your mineral specimens by placing them on a numbered sheet of paper. Locate and print the mineral identification chart, and write the numbers of your mineral specimens, in order, under the column labeled "Specimen Number". Now you are ready to examine the different properties of each of the mineral specimens and record your findings in the identification chart in the appropiate column. When you finish identifying the different properties of each mineral you then use the mineral identification key to put a name on each of the the minerals.

Using a Mineral Identification Key

The Mineral Identification Key that uses the property of luster as the primary division of minerals into two groups, those with metallic lusters and those with non-metallic lusters. Color (either dark or light) is used as a secondary division for the non-metallic minerals. Examine the mineral identification key closely to see how it is arranged.

.... Complete the mineral identification chart, by listing the properties of each of the mineral specimens supplied by your teacher. Use the mineral identification key, to determine the name of each of the minerals.

Using the Mineral Uses Table, determine which of the minerals you identify have an economic use. List their use in the column to the right of their name on the mineral identification chart.