Virtual Mineral LabName_______________________________________Developed by Dr. Kate Bulinski, Bellarmine UniversityCompanion online unknown samples and supplementary resources from Dr. Scott Brande, University of Alabama BirminghamObjective:In this lab, you will be examining and identifying a series of unknown mineral samples using pictures, youtube videos, and an online “mineral bank” ofinformation.Part 1: Warm Up Questions:Thinking back to what you’ve learned about minerals from the lecture, answer the following questions:1.Imagine you are walking across campus and find what looks like a diamond engagement ring on the ground.You plan to turn it into the public safety lostand found, but before you do that you decide to test the mineral in the ring to see how hard it is.You take the ring and using the gemstone, rub it firmlyacross a piece of glass and see that it does not scratch glass.What does this tell you about the mineral?Can you say for certain that the mineral isor isnot a diamond?Explain.2.One day you attend a rock and mineral show (yes, that’s really a thing…) and decide to buy some minerals to give to your 8 year old niece as a birthdaypresent.You decide to only purchase minerals that are a four on the Moh’s hardness scale.Explain how you would determine this hardness?Whattools would you use?How could you know that the mineral is specifically a 4 and not just in the “soft” category?3.
