James Madison University
James Madison University: Dept. Of Geology and Environmental Science: Minerals
Descriptions and pictures of over thirty minerals are available at this website. Documents describing the properties of minerals and how to use the properties for identification templates to make models, and dichotomous keys make up the...
Other
Mineralogical Society of America: Mineral Identification Key: Mineral Properties
Scientists classify minerals based on a set of physical properties. Each of these properties is described in detail.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Materials and Minerals
Seven hands-on lessons module that allows students to learn about materials and minerals. These inquiry-based explorations investigate properties of materials, where mineral deposits can be found, how deposits are formed, how minerals...
Other
Geologynet: Rock Forming Minerals
Use the search to find information on rock forming minerals. Characteristics including formula, color, cleavage, and hardness are presented in an easy-to-read chart.
Minerals Ed
Mineral Resources Education Program of Bc: Teacher Resources
Teachers find resources connected to the minerals industry of British Columbia, including comprehensive units for all grade levels, with specific curriculum links to provincial curriculum, and integrated science kits.
Province of British Columbia
B.c. Ministry of Energy and Mines: Common Rock Forming Minerals
There are six common minerals most often found in rocks. They are quartz, feldspar, olivine, mica, pyroxene, and amphibole. This website provides photos and information on each, and discusses their importance when identifying rocks.
Other
Reade International Corp.: Specific Gravity Table for Metals, Minerals, Ceramics
This is a table listing the specific gravities of various metals, ceramics, and minerals. Very complete listing and a good resource.
Australian Museum
Australian Museum: What Are Minerals?
Learn what minerals are, how they form, and some properties that minerals have.
San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum: Mineral Matters
Learn more about the properties of minerals.
Vision Learning
Visionlearning: Earth Science: Rocks and Minerals: Defining Minerals
Instructional module focusing on minerals. Discussion includes chemical composition, chemical structure, and the formation process. The site also includes an interactive practice quiz and links relating to the topic.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Minerals, Crystals, and Gems
Through this series of three lessons, students will gain an understanding of the basics of mineral science. In their investigation they will also work through the scientific process as they practice their observation skills, form...
Amethyst Galleries
Amethyst Galleries: Minerals by Name
Use this resource to look up any mineral by name to see its picture along with history, class, uses, related minerals, and physical properties. Just choose from this alphabetically sorted list of minerals.
Scholastic
Scholastic: Study Jams! Science: Landforms, Rocks & Minerals: Minerals
A slideshow and a short multiple-choice quiz on the topic of minerals and how to identify them by their properties.
San Diego Natural History Museum
San Diego Natural History Museum: Mineral Matters: Hardness
Identifying a mineral by hardness? This website explains how to use the Mohs' hardness scale and provides examples.
James Madison University
James Madison University: Mineral Luster
Mineral photos depicting metallic and non-metallic luster. Includes shiny, glassy, and earthy examples.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Mineral Identification
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Classifying minerals based on physical characteristics.
University of Oxford (UK)
The Learning Zone: Minerals
In this interactive you will learn about minerals--how to identify them and how you use them in your everyday life.
Other
Minerals by Physical and Optical Properties
Over 4,700 mineral species descriptions include HTML-linked mineral tables by physical and optical properties of all known valid mineral species.
Other
University of Bristol, Uk: Minerals Under the Microscope
In this geology course, students learn about the use of the polarizing microscope, the primary tool for examining the structure of mineral samples such as cleavage, density, fracture, color, and the like.
University of Oregon
Ask Geo Man: Igneous Rock Forming Minerals
Ask GeoMan lists Olivine, Pyroxene, Amphibole, Feldspar, Mica and Quartz, as five common rock forming minerals. Characteristics of each are also given.
Other
Webmineral.com: Mineral Luster
This site lists thirty different terms for describing the luster of minerals.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Minerals
The students will gain information on the five characteristics of minerals. The information can be related to nonrenewable resources. This instructional activity should facilitate discussion on the difference between precious gems and...
Other
Geologynet: Online Mineral Database
Search for mineral formulas and crystal structures by entering the keywords or mineral names on this mineral database.
James Madison University
James Madison U.: Bowen's Reaction Series & Igneous Rock Forming Minerals
If you're interested in learning about the igneous rock-forming minerals in seeing multiple pictures of each sample, then this is your site. It also includes the chain that these minerals follow. Click on the PDF link for a printable...