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Questions and Answers
What is the characteristic appearance of minerals or crystals with a waxy luster?
What is the characteristic appearance of minerals or crystals with a waxy luster?
- They have a metallic shine.
- They exhibit a bright, reflective surface.
- They resemble the shine of a wax candle. (correct)
- They appear dull and earthy.
Which of the following minerals is NOT listed as having a waxy luster?
Which of the following minerals is NOT listed as having a waxy luster?
- Marble (correct)
- Turquoise
- Uranospinite
- Chalcedony
How does waxy luster primarily differ from greasy luster?
How does waxy luster primarily differ from greasy luster?
- Waxy luster is completely dull compared to greasy luster.
- Waxy luster appears brighter than greasy luster.
- Waxy luster is exclusively found in yellow minerals.
- Waxy luster reflects less light and is more matte. (correct)
Which term is NOT used to describe different types of mineral luster?
Which term is NOT used to describe different types of mineral luster?
What is the visibility of minerals with a waxy luster usually like?
What is the visibility of minerals with a waxy luster usually like?
Which of the following minerals can exhibit both waxy and vitreous luster?
Which of the following minerals can exhibit both waxy and vitreous luster?
What effect can polishing have on minerals with a waxy luster?
What effect can polishing have on minerals with a waxy luster?
Which description best differentiates waxy luster from earthy luster?
Which description best differentiates waxy luster from earthy luster?
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Study Notes
Waxy Luster Overview
- Waxy luster resembles the shine of wax candles, reflecting moderate light and exhibiting a soft sheen.
- It is characterized as being more matte than greasy but not as dull as earthy lusters.
Definition and Characteristics
- Waxy luster refers to minerals that reflect light in a way similar to beeswax or paraffin.
- Typically, waxy minerals are semi-transparent to translucent, often resulting from tiny mineral aggregates that scatter light.
- Polishing can enhance the appearance and color of waxy luster minerals.
Descriptive Terms for Luster
- Luster is measured qualitatively and quantitatively, categorizing light reflection with terms like:
- Metallic
- Submetallic
- Non-metallic (vitreous, waxy, resinous, pearly, dull, earthy, adamantine, greasy)
Notable Minerals with Waxy Luster
- Examples of minerals exhibiting waxy luster:
- Turquoise
- Shannonite
- Evenkite
- Schlossmacherite
- Wax opal
- Uranospinite
- Schlossmacherite can occasionally possess a vitreous luster.
Other Minerals and Lusters
- Chalcedony, a form of quartz, predominantly exhibits a waxy luster but can also appear vitreous, greasy, silky, or dull.
- Serpentine, especially in yellow or yellow-green varieties, is another example of a waxy mineral.
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