by Gelogia Team | Jun 27, 2026 | Mineralogy
Radioactive minerals are naturally occurring minerals that contain unstable radioactive elements such as uranium (U), thorium (Th), or, less commonly, potassium (K). As these elements decay over time, they release radiation in the form of alpha particles, beta...
by Gelogia Team | Jun 27, 2026 | Mineralogy
Fluorescence is one of the most fascinating optical properties observed in minerals. Some minerals appear ordinary under visible light but produce brilliant blue, green, red, yellow, orange, or white colors when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This phenomenon,...
by Gelogia Team | Jun 27, 2026 | Mineralogy
The mineral density test is one of the most reliable methods used to identify minerals because every mineral has a characteristic density determined by its chemical composition and crystal structure. Dense minerals such as gold and galena feel noticeably heavier than...
by Gelogia Team | Jun 27, 2026 | Mineralogy
Magnetism is one of the most distinctive physical properties used in mineral identification. While most minerals show little or no magnetic behavior, a small number respond strongly to magnets because of their chemical composition and crystal structure. The most...
by Gelogia Team | Jun 27, 2026 | Mineralogy
The acid test is one of the quickest and most reliable methods used to identify carbonate minerals in geology and mineralogy. By placing a small drop of dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl) on a mineral’s surface, geologists can determine whether the specimen contains...
