nonmetallic lustre
Quick Summary
In mineralogy, lustre describes how a mineral's surface reflects light. It's influenced by the mineral's refractive power, transparency, and structure.1
Nonmetallic lustre is typically seen in minerals that transmit light. Common types include:
* Vitreous: Like broken glass, often seen in quartz.12
* Resinous: Resembling the shine of resin, found in minerals like sphalerite.12
* Pearly: Similar to mother-of-pearl, often on cleavage surfaces of minerals like talc.12
* Greasy: Appearing as if covered in oil, caused by microscopic surface roughness.12
* Silky: Like silk, characteristic of fibrous minerals such as satin spar gypsum.12
* Adamantine: A brilliant shine like diamond, seen in minerals with high refractive indices such as cerussite.12
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