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Mineral Luster Types

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Greasy Luster

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Minerals with a greasy luster appear as if they are coated in oil. Examples include nepheline, opal, and some specimens of jadeite.

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Vitreous Luster

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Vitreous minerals have a glass-like luster and are typically translucent to transparent. Examples include quartz, amethyst, and tourmaline.

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Adamantine Luster

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An adamantane luster is bright and brilliant, often seen in gems with high refractive indexes. Examples include diamond, cerussite, and sphalerite.

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Metallic Luster

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Minerals with a metallic luster look like metal and are opaque. Examples include galena, pyrite, and magnetite.

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Submetallic Luster

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Submetallic minerals have a less brilliant reflection than metallic minerals and are often darker and opaque. Examples include hematite, cuprite, and ilmenite.

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Resinous Luster

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Minerals with a resinous luster look like they are made of resin with a plastic-like sheen. Examples include sphalerite, amber, and copal.

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Dull or Earthy Luster

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Minerals with a dull or earthy luster have a lack of shine and reflectivity, resembling earth or chalk. Examples include kaolinite, limonite, and bauxite.

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Pearly Luster

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Pearly minerals have an iridescent luster similar to pearls or the inside of a seashell. Examples include talc and some forms of mica.

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Waxy Luster

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Waxy luster minerals have a luster resembling that of wax with a soft sheen. Examples include chalcedony, turquoise, and nephrite.

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Silky Luster

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Silky luster minerals have a fibrous appearance and sheen like silk. Example: serpentine, gypsum (satin spar variety), and ulexite.

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