Fracture
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The way a mineral fractures can sometimes help to identify it. Most fractures can be described by the following terms:
| Uneven | Rough or irregular surface |
| Conchoidal | "Shell-like," with a smooth curved surface. |
| Hackly | Sharp, jagged surfaces like broken metal. |
| Splintery | Forming elongated splinters (applies to fibrous minerals). |
| Earthy | Breaking like clay or chalk. |
Chesterman, p. 32
Sources
- Chesterman, Charles W. The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals, Alfred A. Knopf: New York (1987)