Explore the Mineral Identification Laboratory
Run real mineral tests — streak, Mohs hardness, luster, cleavage, density by displacement, magnetism and acid reaction — to identify an unknown specimen.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Mineral Identification Laboratory with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Mineral Identification Laboratory?
Run real mineral tests — streak, Mohs hardness, luster, cleavage, density by displacement, magnetism and acid reaction — to identify an unknown specimen. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Field geologists and mining engineers use exactly this sequence of simple tests to identify minerals on site before sending samples to a lab.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Color can be misleading, but streak (the color of a mineral's powder) is far more reliable.
The Mohs hardness scale ranks minerals 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond) by what scratches what.
Density equals mass divided by volume; volume can be measured by water displacement.
Run every test before you guess — no single test is enough.
Use the Mohs scratch test to narrow the hardness range before guessing.
Try the HCl test on a sample: if it fizzes, look closely at calcite in the table.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Teachers
For teachers: project the Mineral Identification Laboratory on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Use the Mohs scratch test to narrow the hardness range before guessing. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
Why is streak more reliable than color?
A mineral's surface color can vary with impurities and weathering, but its powdered streak color is far more consistent for a given mineral.
How do you measure density with displacement?
Submerge the mineral in water and measure the volume of water it displaces; density = mass ÷ that volume.
Is the Mineral Identification Laboratory free to use?
Yes. The Mineral Identification Laboratory is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Geology group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Mineral Identification Laboratory work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Mineral Identification Laboratory takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 1 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Mineral Identification Laboratory?
1. In the Mineral Identification Laboratory, use the controls to change Test hardness with a pick of Mohs level. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Mineral Identification Laboratory, press "Observe color", "Streak test", "Scratch test", "Observe luster" to start, reset or change what is happening. 3. Start with this experiment: Run every test before you guess — no single test is enough. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Mineral Identification Laboratory responds in real time. 4. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Color can be misleading, but streak (the color of a mineral's powder) is far more reliable.
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