© 2025 Earthscience Education LLC. All rights reserved.
Laboratory Assignments - Hands-on Lab Work
Mineralogy Labs
Practical Mineral ID Labs
There are several mineral ID labs to complete. Each lab introduces various methodologies of mineral identification. Results of these labs when performed with the client sample can then be used to compile the Course Project (see Mineral id tab)ANCILLARY MINERAL LAB: THIN
SECTION
During this lab you are to make a thin section from a rock specimen of your choice, granite preferred. The thickness of your section should be as close as possible to the standard of 30µm. It is therefore essential that your first section contains the mineral quartz.MINERAL ID LAB: SPECIFIC
GRAVITY
During this Lab you will establish the density of a mineral specimen, preferrably the client sample, using the Hydrostatic Pan and Pycnometer methods.MINERAL ID LAB: HM, Color,
Luster, Streak
During this lab you will use simple physical tests to establish Mohs Hardness, Color, Luster and Streak of a mineral sample.MINERAL ID LAB: Mag, Rad,
Organo, UV
During this lab you will use your physical senses, your cell phone sensors as well as ultraviolet light testing to collect additional mineral identifying properties on a sample.
MINERAL ID LAB: Simple
Chemistry & Flame
During this lab you will execute simple chemical and physical tests, such as open and closed tube tests, fusibility, and ion paper chromatography on a mineral sample. MINERAL ID LAB: Dry XRF & XRD Analysis During this Lab you will use x- ray fluorescence (non- destructive) to establish semi-quantitative chemical mineral composition and x-ray diffraction techniques (destructive) to interpret a minerals crystallography and variant identity. MINERAL ID LAB: Wet Geochemical Analysis During this Lab you will proceed with the digestion of a mineral to use spectrometric / mass spectrometric analysis for chemical and trace elements. MINERAL ID LAB: Optical Mineral ID During this Lab you will use the Polarized Light Microscope with grain mounts and thin sections as well as the Gem refractometer to establish the optical properties of a mineral sample.
Download laboratory assignments!
Labs have DEADLINES! Consult class schedule / CANVAS
Labs have NO repeats! First grade counts!
Labs are NOT group work. To be completed individually!
© 2025 Earthscience Education LLC. Rights reserved.
Laboratory Assignments - Hands-on Lab
Work
Mineralogy Labs
Practical Mineral ID Labs
There are several mineral ID labs to complete. Each lab introduces various methodologies of mineral identification. Results of these labs when performed with the client sample can then be used to compile the Course Project (see Mineral id tab)ANCILLARY MINERAL LAB: THIN
SECTION
During this lab you are to make a thin section from a rock specimen of your choice, granite preferred. The thickness of your section should be as close as possible to the standard of 30µm. It is therefore essential that your first section contains the mineral quartz.MINERAL ID LAB: SPECIFIC GRAVITY
During this Lab you will establish the density of a mineral specimen, preferrably the client sample, using the Hydrostatic Pan and Pycnometer methods.MINERAL ID LAB: HM, Color,
Luster, Streak
During this lab you will use simple physical tests to establish Mohs Hardness, Color, Luster and Streak of a mineral sample.MINERAL ID LAB: Mag, Rad,
Organo, UV
During this lab you will use your physical senses, your cell phone sensors as well as ultraviolet light testing to collect additional mineral identifying properties on a sample.
MINERAL ID LAB: Simple
Chemistry & Flame
During this lab you will execute simple chemical and physical tests, such as open and closed tube tests, fusibility, and ion paper chromatography on a mineral sample. MINERAL ID LAB: Dry XRF & XRD Analysis During this Lab you will use x-ray fluorescence (non-destructive) to establish semi-quantitative chemical mineral composition and x-ray diffraction techniques (destructive) to interpret a minerals crystallography and variant identity. MINERAL ID LAB: Wet Geochemical Analysis During this Lab you will proceed with the digestion of a mineral to use spectrometric / mass spectrometric analysis for chemical and trace elements. MINERAL ID LAB: Optical Mineral ID During this Lab you will use the Polarized Light Microscope with grain mounts and thin sections as well as the Gem refractometer to establish the optical properties of a mineral sample.
