Mass
The color, luster, and crystal shape of a mineral may be observed just by looking at the mineral. Some minerals have very distinctive colors that help identify them. Although the color of a mineral can give away its identity, color is the least useful property for mineral identification.
The chemical composition of a mineral cannot typically be determined by inspection alone. Specialized techniques such as X-ray diffraction, spectroscopy, and electron microscopy are often needed to accurately identify minerals based on their physical and chemical properties.
Color alone cannot be used to identify a mineral because many minerals can exhibit a wide range of colors due to impurities, variations in chemical composition, or environmental factors. Additionally, different minerals may share similar colors, leading to potential confusion. Therefore, other properties such as hardness, luster, streak, and crystal structure are essential for accurate mineral identification.
Mass
A mineral cannot be made from living organisms or have a uniform chemical composition that varies significantly from one specimen to another. Additionally, a mineral cannot be a synthetic or man-made material.
A diamond. Actually, a diamond can be scratched my other minerals.
A mineral cannot be organic. A mineral cannot be made by or composed of life forms.
A mineral must follow a certain criteria. It has to be naturally occurring, generally inorganic homogeneous solid with a crystalline structure and a definite (but not fixed) chemical composition. Water cannot be a mineral because it is a liquid. Honey cannot be a mineral because it is a liquid and is organic Oxygen cannot be a mineral because it is a gas. Teeth cannot be a mineral they are organic. Ice, however, can be a mineral if it is formed naturally. Ice forming on your windshield is a mineral but ice from an ice cube tray is not a mineral.
This is diamond.
Talc is the mineral that cannot scratch any mineral by itself. It has a Mohs hardness of 1, making it the softest mineral on the Mohs scale, which means it can be easily scratched by all other minerals.
Determining the identity of a mineral by showing what it cannot be relies on the process of elimination, where specific properties are assessed to rule out potential candidates. By testing characteristics such as hardness, luster, color, streak, and cleavage, one can narrow down the possibilities. If a mineral fails to meet the defining criteria of known minerals, it can be effectively excluded from consideration, thereby clarifying its identity through contrast. This method leverages the unique combination of properties that distinguish one mineral from another.
No, mineral spirits cannot be used as a substitute for xylene.