actinolite
Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2
monoclinic
prismatic, radiating, fibrous
2 perfect
uneven
opaque
green,white,grey
vitreous
white
adamite
Zn2(AsO4)(OH)
orthorhombic
small, many faceted prisms
2: 1 good, 1 poor
transparent
colorless,white,yellow,green
aegirite
NaFe(Si2O6)
striated prisms, fibrous
prismatic, distinct
brown,black,green
vitreous,resinous
yellow,green
albite
NaAlSi3O8
triclinic
tabular, often massive
3: 2 good, 1 poor
transparent,translucent,opaque
white,grey,colorless
vitreous,pearly
allanite
(Ce,Ca,Y)2(Al,Fe)3(SiO4)3(OH)
tabular, prismatic
poor
black,brown
grey,green,brown
alunite
KAl3(SO4)2(OH)6
hexagonal
rhombohedral, massive, earthy
basal, good
conchoidal
white,grey,red
amblygonite
(Li,Na)Al(PO4)(F,OH)
rough crystals; compact or cleavable masses
4: 3 good, 1 perfect
transparent,translucent
white,yellow,pink,green,blue
anaclime
NaAlSi2O6ù2H2O
cubic
earthy or radiating granular aggregates
0 none
colorless,white,pink,yellow
anatase
TiO2
tetragonal
pyramids or tabular
perfect basal
brown,black,blue,red
adamantine
white,yellow
andalusite
Al2SiO5
granular,massive,usually square cross section
2 good at 90ø
opaque,translucent
white,pink,brown,grey
andesine
commonly massive
3: 2 good at 90ø, 1 poor
white,colorless,grey
anglesite
PbSO4
prismatic, tabular, massive
2 good
colorless,white
anhydrite
CaSO4
crystalline or massive
3 poor
colorless,white,blue,grey
white,yellow-green
anorthite
(Na,Ca)AlSi3O8
prismatic or massive
3: 2 good at 90ø, 1poor
colorless,white,grey,green
anthophyllite
(Mg,Fe)7Si8O22(OH)2
lamellar,fibrous needles, felted aggregates
1 perfect
translucent
grey,light green,light brown
antimony
Sb
pseudocubic, tabular, massive
grey white
metallic
grey
apatite
Ca5(F,Cl,OH)(PO4)3
crystalline,massive,usually 6 sided crystals
1 poor
green,blue green,yellow,blue,pink
apophyllite
KCa4Si8O2O(OH)ù8H2O
prismatic, foliated, massive
white,tint
aragonite
CaCO3
concretionary,stalactitic,fibrous,radiating
3: 1 good, 2 poor
colorless,white,yellow,reddish
arfvedsonite
Na2-3(Fe,Mg,Al)5Si8O22(OH,F)2
prismatic,tabular crystals;rodlike aggregates
2 perfect at 60ø & 120ø
green black
blue,grey
argentite
Ag2S
distorted, crystals, massive
transparent,opaque
colorless,white,yellow
arsenic
As
often granular or massive
white, dark grey
arsenopyrite
FeAsS
1 good
silver,grey
grey,black
atacamite
Cu2Cl(OH)3
green,g-black
adamantine,vitreous
green
augite
(Ca,Na)(Mg,Fe,Al,Ti)(Si,Al)2O6
usually prismatic
black,green-black
white,grey
autunite
Ca(UO2)2(PO4)2ù10-12H2O
pseudo tetragonal plates
yellow,yellow-green
pearly
yellow
axinite
Ca2(Fe,Mn)Al2(BO3)(Si4O12)(OH)
sharp blades or massive
brown,grey,blue,green
azurite
Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2
translucent,opaque
deep blue
pale blue
barite
BaSO4
platy,tabular,massive,earthy,stalactic masses
3: 2 good at 80ø, 1 poor
colorless,white,yellow,red,green
beryl
Be3Al2Si16O18
6 or 12 sided prisms, massive
blue,yellow,green,pink,white,colorless
biotite
K(Mg,Fe)2(Al,Fe)Si3O10(OH,F)2
tabular, foliated
bismuth
Bi
pseudocubic, foliated, massive
earthy
silver white,pink-reddish
silver white
bismuthinite
Bi2S3
small needles, usually massive
dark grey
boracite
Mg3B7O13Cl
cubes, octahedra, or massive
2: 1 poor, 1 good
borax
Na2B4O7ù10H2O
colrless,white
bornite
Cu5FeS4
usually massive
brownish bronze,blue,purple
bournonite
PbCuSbS3
often twins, crystals or massive
brookite
à-TiO2
tabular,crystals
yellow-brown,red,black
adamantine,metallic
white,yellow,brown
brucite
Mg(OH)2
crystals,massive,fibrous
white,blue,green,grey
calcite
rhombohedra, prisms, massive
3 perfect at 75ø
colorless,white,tint
carnallite
KMgCl3ù6H2O
usually massive or granular
white,pink
carnotite
K2(UO2)2(VO4)2ù3H2O
earthy or powdery aggregates
pale yellow
cassiterite
SnO2
crystals, fibrous, massive
brown,br-black
white,yellow,light brown
celestite
SrSO4
tabular, fibrous, granular
3: 1 perfect, 2 good
cerussite
PbCO3
prismatic, granular, massive
chabazite
Ca(Al2Si4)O12ù6H2O
rhombohedral or massive
colorless,white,pink,yellow,brown
chalcanthite
CuSO4ù5H2O
flat crystals, also massive
blue
chalcocite
Cu2S
massive
lead grey,black tarnish
chalcopyrite
CuFeS2
brassy yellow
green-black
chlorite
(Mg,Fe)6(AlSi3)O10(OH)8
6 sided crystals,foliated,scales,compact,granular
earthy,scaly
green,black
colorless
chondrodite
(Mg,Fe)3(SiO4)(OH,F)2
usually round grains, massive aggregates
yellow, red-brown
chromite
FeCr2O4
octahedral, usually massive
brown
chrysoberyl
BeAl2O4
prismatic, tabular, stellate
green,yellow-green,brown
chrysocolla
(Cu,Al)2H2Si2O5(OH)4ùnH2O
amorphous
botryoidal or earthy
blue green,blue,green
vitreous,earthy
white,green-white
cinnabar
HgS
rhombohedra, tabular, massive
3 perfect
red,grey,brown
red
clinozoisite
Ca2Al3Si3O12(OH)
elongated crystals,striated;rodlike aggregates
grey-white,pale green,pink
cobaltite
CoAsS
cube, pyritohedron, usually massive
silver,reddish
colemanite
Ca2B6O11ù5H2O
clear prismatic crystals; also granular or massive
2: 1 perfect, 1 good
white,pink,red
columbite
(Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6
prismatic or tabular crystals;twins;massive
black,
black,dark red
copper
Cu
octahedra, massive, arborescent
hackly
red,brown tarnish
cordierite
Mg2Al4Si5O18
pseudohexagonal, massive, granular
blue,green,violet,yellow
vitreous,dull
corundum
Al2O3
rhombohedral,also massive,crude 6-sided crystals
brown,pink,blue,white,green,red
covellite
CuS
hex plates, usually massive
blue-black
resinous
black
cristobalite
SiO2
octahedral
white,colorless
crocoite
PbCrO4
prismatic, granular
red,orange
orange yellow
cryolite
Na3AlF
cuboidal crystals, usually massive
red,brown,colorless,white,black
cuprite
Cu2O
octahedral, massive, or earthy
red-brown,shiny,yellow
danburite
CaB2Si2O8
clear prismatic crystals with wedge shaped ends
colorless, pale yellow
datolite
CaBSiO4(OH)
prismatic, massive, granular
diamond
C
cubes, octahedra, pebbles
4 perfect
diaspore
AlO(OH)
usually as stalactitic or foliated aggregates
pale pink,grey,green
*
diopside
CaMgSi2O6
2 good (87ø and 93ø)
colorless,green,black,grey,yellow
dioptase
CuSiO2(OH)2
rhombohedral, also massive
emerald,green
dolomite
CaMg(CO3)2
rhombohedral, massive, granular
3 perfect at 74ø
dumortierite
Al7(BO3)(SiO4)3O3
columnar or fibrous radiating aggregates
uneven,hackly
blue,violet,red-brown
enargite
Cu3AsS4
otrho
grey,black,steel
enstatite
Mg2Si2O6
prismatic, also massive
grey,green,yellow,brown,black
grey,white
epidote
Ca2(Al,Fe)3Si3O12(OH)
elongated crystals, granular
yellow green,black green
epsomite
MgSO4ù7H2O
prismatic, usually massive, fibrous
erythrite
Co3(AsO4)2ù8H2O
radiating aggregates,earthy masses and crusts
red,grey
euclase
BeAlSiO4(OH)
prismatic
colorless,green,blue,yellow,white
ferberite
FeWO4 - MnWO4
prismatic, tabular, bladed, massive
red-brown,black
metallic,dull
dark brown
fluorite
CaF2
cubes etc, also granular
purple,colorless,green,yellow,blue,red
franklinite
(Zn,Mn,Fe)(Fe,Mn)2O4  *
octahedral, granular, massive
steel black
black,brown,red brown
galena
PbS
cube, octahedra, massive
3 perfect at 90ø
sub-conchoidal
garnet
A3B2(SiO4)3
various beads,massive,crystals w/12 diamond faces
violet,red,yellow,green,black
resinous,vitreous
garnierite
(Ni,Mg)6Si4O10(OH)8
massive or earthy
white,green,blue
dull
green-white
glauberite
Na2Ca(SO4)2
tabular,prismatic;compact masses and crusts
white,yellowish,red
vitreous,greasy
glauconite
(K,Na)(Al,Fe,Mg)2(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2  *
amorphous, granular or earthy
blue green
dull,greasy
glaucophane
Na2(Mg,Fe)3Al2Si8O22(OH)2
prisms, fibrous, granular, massive
blue,black,green
blue-grey,white
goethite
FeO(OH)
prisms, tabular, massive, fibrous, earthy
brown,black,yellow,red
brown,yellow
gold
Au
cubes, usually massive, arborescent
yellow-gold
graphite
usually scaly, massive, granular, earthy
greenockite
CdS
hemimorphic crystals, crusts
yellow,y-orange
adamantine,resinous
gypsum
CaSO4ù2H2O
prisms, stellate, granular, fibrous
3 1 perfect, 2 good
colorless,white,grey,yellow
halite
NaCl
cubes, octahedra, massive, granular
3 perfect at right angles
harmotome
(Ba,K)(Al,Si)2Si6O16ù6H20
always cruciform twins
white,grey,yellow,red
hausmannite
Mn2O4  *
pyramidal, massive, granular
grey,blue,brown-black
metallic,vitreous
hauyne
(Na,Ca)4-8(Al6Si6)O24(SO4,S)1-2
crystal beads, granular
blue,grey,green,red,yellow
white,pale blue
hematite
Fe2O3
massive,earthy,rhombohddedral,scaly or fibrous
tin,steel,red
metallic,earthy
red,red-brown
hemimorphite
Zn4Si2O7(OH)2ùH2O
hemimorphic, massive, granular crusts
white,yellow,brown,green
heulandite
(Na,Ca)4-6Al6(Al,Si)4Si26O72ù24H2O
tabular, globular masses
white,red,brown
hornblende
(Ca,Na)2-3(Mg,Fe,Al)5(Al,Si)8O22(OH)2 *
prismatic, bladed, fibrous, massive, granular
2 perfect (56ø & 124ø)
black,green,brown-black
pale: grey,green,brown-black
hydrozincite
Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6
usually massive, fibrous, crusts
colorless,white,pale yellow
dull,silky
ilmenite
FeTiO3
very flat,tabular crystals;compact,granular aggrg.
black,dark brown
sub metallic
black,brown-red
iron
Fe
usually scales, plates, grains
steel grey,black
jadeite
Na(Al,Fe+3)Si2O6
usually massive (jade)
splintery
green,white,pale violet
jasper
cryptocrystalline silica
red,brown,yellow,green,blue,black
kaolinite
Al2Si2O5(OH)4
white,grey,yellow
kernite
Na2B4O7ù4H2O
elongated,striated crystals;cleavable masses
3: 2 perfect, 1 good
kyanite
prismatic, bladed
blue,white
labradorite
tabular, usually massive
grey-brown
laumontite
Ca(Al2Si4)O12ù4H2O
prismatic, fibrous, columnar
white,red,yellow,blue
lazulite
MgAl2(PO4)2(OH)2
lazurite
(Na,Ca)8(Al,Si)12O24(S,SO4)
compact,massive
6 poor
blue,blue green
white,light blue
lepidolite
K(Li,Al)3(Si,Al)4O10(F,OH)2
usually scaly or granular masses
red,violet,white
leucite
KAlSi2O6
cubic form, tetra properties
magnesite
MgCo3
usually massive or fibrous
white,grey-white,yellow,brown
magnetite
Fe3O4
octahedra, massive, granular
4 poor
steel,brown-black
malachite
Ci2(CO3)(OH)2
usually fibrous masses, granular, earthy
silky,vitreous
pale green
manganite
MnO(OH)
prismatic, aggregates, columnar
dark,red-brown
marcasite
FeS2
tabular, aggregates, nodules
grey black
margarite
CaAl2(Al2Si2))O10(OH)2
foliated or lamellar aggregates
pale pink,white,grey
mercury
Hg
..
liquid globules
none
silver
microline
KAlSi3O8
prismatic,granular,blocky
2 good at right angles
white,tint,green
millerite
NiS
needles, fibrous, massive
mimetite
Pb5(AsO4)3Cl
trigonal, botryoidal, crusts
pale yellow,brown,white
molybdenite
MoS2
usually foliated, massive
steel grey,blue tint
monazite
(Ca,La,Nd,Th)PO4
tabular, twins, massive, sandy
pale yellow,dark red-brown
muscovite
KAl2(AlSi3)O10(OH)2
pseudohexagonal plates, massive
white,yellow,green,silverish
natrolite
Na2(Al2Si3)O10ù2H2O
prismatic, acicular, radial aggregates,
white,yellow,pink
nephiline
(Na,K)AlSiO4
prismatic, aggregates, massive
white,colorless,pale grey
niccolite
NiAs
usually irregular masses, botryoidal
copper-red,grey,(black tarnish)
brown-black
oligoclase
platy,tabular,blocky,massive
white,green,red,grey,yellow
olivine
(Mg,Fe)2SiO4
granular,prismatic, tabular
2 poor
green,yellow-green
opal
SiO2ùnH2O
reniform, stalactitic, massive
colorless,white,yellow,red,blue,green
resinous,pearly
orpiment
As2S3
prismatic, usually massive crusts
orthoclase
prismatic, tabular, granular masses
2 good at 90 ø
white,grey,tint
pectolite
NaCa2Si3O8(OH)
fibrous or radiating spherical aggregates
vitreous,silky
penninite
Mg3(Si4O10)(OH)2ùMg3(OH)6
pseudohexagonal, massive
green,blue green
pentlandite
(Fe,Ni)9S8
usually granular or massive
bronze-yellow
brown,black
petalite
LiAlSi4O10
tabular or columnar crystals
phenakite
Be2SiO4
pseudohexagonal crystals
colorless,pale-yellow,pink
phillipsite
(K2,Na2Ca)(Al2Si4)O12ù4-5H2O
prismatic cruciform twins, radial aggreg
white,yellow,grey,red
phlogopite
K(Mg,Fe)3(AlSi3)O10(F,OH)2
tabular, laminar, scales
colorless,brown,red,white
plagioclase
Na(AlSi3O8)
common rock forming mineral
3: 2 good at 90ø,1 poor
colorless,white,grey,green,blue,red
platinum
Pt
usually granular
steel grey,silver
silver grey
polybasite
(Ag,Cu)16SbS11
tabular crystals,beveled edges,triangular growths
steel grey,iron black
polyhalite
KaCa2Mg(SO4)4ù2H2O
prismatic, usually platy or fibrous
red,white,yellow,green
prehnite
Ca2Al2Si3O10(OH)2
hemimorphic tabular, radial aggregates
green,y-green,yellow,colorless,white
proustite
Ag3AsS3
hemimorphic, granular, usually massive
psilomelane
BaMnO16(OH)4  *
massive, botryoidal, stalactilic
brown-black,shiny,yellow
purpurite
(Mn,Fe)PO4  *
purple
silky
purple,blue
pyragyrite
Ag3SbS3
hemimorphic prisms, massive
dark,red,blue-grey,black
metallic,adamantine
pyrite
striated cubes, massive, nodular
brassy brown,yellow
pyrolusite
MnO2
usually fibrous, massive, earthy
steel,dark-grey,black
mettalic,submetallic
pyromorphite
Pb5(PO4)3Cl
trigonal prisms, aggregates, crusts
green,yellow,brown,blue,red
pyrophyllite
A12Si4O10(OH)2
tabular, foliated, radial aggregates
white,green,grey,brown,yellow
pyrrhotite
FeS
tabular, foliated, massive, granular
quartz
à-SiO2
prismatic,6 sided crystals,massive
colorless,white,blue,green,yellow,red
realgar
AsS
prisms, needles, massive, granular
resinous,adamantine
rhodocrosite
MnCO3
usually massive, globular, crusts
pink,red,yellow,dark brown
rhodonite
(Mn,Fe,Mg)SiO3
large tabular crystals, massive
red,brown,green,yellow,black
rutile
prisms, twins, massive, granular
brown,black,red
pale yellow,green
scapolite
(Na,Ca,K)4A13(Al,Si)3Si6O24(Cl,SO4,CO3)
scheelite
CaWO4
pyramidal, granular, massive
pale green,yellow
scolecite
Ca(Al2Si3)O10ù3H2O
scorodite
FeAsO4ù2H2O
pyramidal,tabular,prismatic
colorless,green,blue,brown,yellow
vitreous,adamantine
sepiolite
Mg4Si6O15(OH)2ù6H2O
compact, fine textured; sometimes earthy looking
white,yellowish
serpentine
Mg6(Si4O10)(OH)8
massive, granular, foliated, fibrous
green,yellow,brown,black,red
resinous,dull
siderite
FeCO3
yellow,brown,bred,black
pearly,vitreous
sillimanite
A;2SiO5
acicular, massive, foliated, nodular
grey-green,grey-yellow,brown
Ag
cube, usually massive arborescent
silver-white
brilliant silver
skutterudite
CoAs2-3
small, cubic or octahedral metallic like crystals
tin white,silver grey
smithsonite
ZnCO3
usually massive, granular, earthy
white,grey,green,brown
sodalite
Na4Al3(SiO4)3Cl
dodecahedral, massive
6 perfect
blue,colorless,grey,yellow,red
sperrylite
PtAs2
cubes, cube and octahedron
steel grey
sphalerite
(Zn,Fe)S
massive cleavage pieces,crystals,rounded edges
pale yellow,brown,black,red,green
lt yellow,red brown
sphene
CaTiO(SiO4)
wedge shapes, twins, massive
yellow,green,brown,black
spinel
MgAl2O4
octahedra, twins, granular
white,red,blue,green,brown,black
spodumene
LiAlSi2O6
8 sided prisms, massive
violet,pink,yellow,green
staurolite
(Fe,Mg,Zn)2Al9Si4O23(OH)
6-sided prisms, often twins
stephanite
Ag5SbS4
massive,disseminated;prismatic,tabular crystals
iron black
stibnite
Sb2S3
needles, radial aggregates, fibrous, massive
lead grey,black
stilbite
NaCa2(Al5Si13)O36ù14H2O
tabular, twins, aggregates
colorless,white,yellow,brown,red
strontianite
SrCO3
prismatic, needles, fibrous, granular
pale green,yellow,grey,white
sulfur
S
bipyramids, granular, fibrous, nodular
yellow,brown
sylvanite
AgAuTe4
stubby,prismatic crystals;skeletal rock deposits
sylvite
KCl
cubic,octahedral crystals;compact,granular masses
red,white,colorless
talc
Mg3Si4O10(OH)2
usually granular, massive or scaly
green,grey,white
tetrahedrite
(Cu,Fe)12Sb4Si3 - (Cu,Fe)12As4S13
tetrahedral, massive, granular
black,brown,red
thenardite
Na2SO4
clusters,granular,massive,tabular
white,brownish,grey
topaz
Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
striated prisms or massive
colorless,yellow,pink,blue,green
tourmaline
(Na,Ca)(Al,Fe,Li,Mg)3A16(BO3)3(Si6O18)*
trigonal prisms, massive
brown,black,red,pink,green,blue,yellow
tremolite
Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2
prisms, bladed, fibrous, massive
trydimite
á-SiO2
plates, often twins
waxy
turquoise
CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8ù5H2O
usually massive, stalactitic, crusts
blue,blue green,grey-green
white,pale green
ulexite
NaCaB5O9ù8H2O
light,spongy,rounded masses; fine fibers
uraninite
UO2
usually granular masses;cubic,dodecahedral crystal
vanadinite
Pb5(VO4)3Cl
trigonal pyramids, aggregates, crusts
red,brown,yellow
vesuvianite
Ca10(Mg,Fe)2Al4(SiO4)5(SiO7)2(OH)4
green-brown,red,yellow
vivianite
Fe3(PO4)2ù8H2O
small prisms, aggregates, crusts
blue,green,white,colorless
wavellite
Al3(PO4)2(OH)3ù5H2O
usually globular aggregates, crusts
white,green,brown,yellow
willemite
Zn2SiO4
compact,granular or massive
colorless,brown,red,yellow-brown,black
witherite
BaCO3
prismatic twins, massive, granular
white,yellow,grey
woolastonite
CaSiO3
tabular, massive, lamellar
white,grey,yellow,brown
wulfenite
PbMoO4
massive,granular,various or flat tabular crystals
yellow,red,orange
white,pale yellow
zincite
(Zn,Mn)O
massive, granular or foliated
orange
zircon
ZrSiO4
prisms and pyramid, small grains
colorless,brown,grey,green,red
zoisite
Ca2Al3(Si3O12)(OH)
long prisms, massive, fibrous
white,colorless,grey,green,brown,red