Ornamental Stones LLC

Stone Science

Mineral properties & tests

A field-friendly toolkit: standardized observations that turn “looks like” into “is.”

Core tests

Start with these

Hardness, streak, luster

Hardness (Mohs), streak on porcelain, and luster are quick, repeatable observations.

Field tests

Cleavage & fracture

Cleavage breaks along planes; fracture is irregular (conchoidal, splintery, uneven).

Field tests

Specific gravity & reaction

Heft comparisons, magnetism, and acid reaction (calcite) narrow options fast.

Field tests

Reference examples

A few common surfaces and minerals you’ll encounter while testing and describing specimens.

Pyrite metallic luster close-up Calcite pieces for acid reaction example Agate banding and microcrystalline quartz texture Sulfur mineral texture
Pyrite metallic luster close-up Calcite pieces for acid reaction example Agate banding and microcrystalline quartz texture Sulfur mineral texture
Pyrite metallic luster close-up Calcite pieces for acid reaction example Agate banding and microcrystalline quartz texture Sulfur mineral texture
Pyrite metallic luster close-up Calcite pieces for acid reaction example Agate banding and microcrystalline quartz texture Sulfur mineral texture
Pyrite metallic luster close-up Calcite pieces for acid reaction example Agate banding and microcrystalline quartz texture Sulfur mineral texture
Pyrite metallic luster close-up Calcite pieces for acid reaction example Agate banding and microcrystalline quartz texture Sulfur mineral texture

Back to the overview

Return to Stone Science to continue into rock types, textures, and processes.

Back to Stone Science