Luster Mineral Quiz

Questions and Answers

What does luster refer to?

The shape of a mineral

The color of a mineral

The texture of a mineral

How light is reflected from the surface of a mineral (correct)

What are the two main types of luster?

Metallic and nonmetallic

Name the types of nonmetallic luster.

Vitreous, resinous, pearly, greasy, silky, adamantine, dull

What is vitreous luster?

The luster of glass Signup and view all the answers

What does resinous luster refer to?

The luster of resin Signup and view all the answers

What is pearly luster?

The luster of pearls Signup and view all the answers

What does greasy luster look like?

Looks like it is covered in a thin layer of oil Signup and view all the answers

What is silky luster?

The luster of silk Signup and view all the answers

What does adamantine luster mean?

Having the hard, sparkly look of a diamond Signup and view all the answers

What is dull luster?

Having a plain looking surface that is not submetallic Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes metallic luster?

Having the look of a polished metal Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Luster Overview

Luster indicates how light interacts with the surface of a mineral.
Two primary categories exist: metallic and nonmetallic luster.

Types of Nonmetallic Luster

Vitreous: Resembles the sheen of glass, associated with minerals that reflect light similarly.
Resinous: Exhibits a luster similar to resin; exemplified by sphalerite.
Pearly: Mimics the iridescence of pearls, recognizable on cleavage faces of minerals with perfect cleavage.
Greasy: Appears as though coated in a light film of oil, contributing to a unique visual characteristic.
Silky: Reflects the smooth sheen of silk, typically found in minerals with fine parallel fibers like chrysotile asbestos. An example is gypsum.
Adamantine: Characterized by the hard, sparkling appearance akin to diamonds, noted for high brilliance.
Dull: Displays a non-reflective surface that lacks metallic qualities, presenting a plain appearance.

Metallic Luster

Metallic: Conveys the appearance of polished metal, giving minerals a shiny and reflective quality.

Description

Test your knowledge on the concept of luster in minerals with this quiz. Learn about the different types of luster, including metallic and nonmetallic variations, as well as specific terms associated with them. Perfect for those studying minerals and geology.