A GROUP OF MINERALS WITH DIFFERENT FRACTURES

Product Description

Fracture describes how a mineral breaks when the break doesn’t follow a smooth, flat cleavage plane. Unlike cleavage, which produces predictable flat surfaces along planes of weaker bonding, fracture surfaces are irregular and their shape depends on the mineral’s internal structure at a finer scale. This selection of minerals is chosen specifically so each specimen displays a clearly recognisable fracture type, letting students compare them directly rather than trying to identify fracture from a single ambiguous example.

The classic reference fracture is conchoidal — a smooth, curved break similar to broken glass, seen in quartz and obsidian. Other specimens in the group demonstrate fibrous or splintery fracture (breaking into thin strands), hackly fracture (jagged, sharp-edged breaks typical of some native metals), and uneven or earthy fracture (rough, irregular surfaces with no particular pattern). Comparing these side by side builds the visual vocabulary students need before combining fracture with cleavage, hardness and streak for full mineral identification.

Specimen Details

Applications

• Teaching fracture as a distinct identification property from cleavage
• Visual comparison exercises across conchoidal, hackly, fibrous and earthy fracture types
• Combined-property mineral identification labs
• Introductory college mineralogy coursework

Care & Handling

Some fracture surfaces, particularly conchoidal breaks, can be sharp-edged, so handle specimens carefully and avoid running fingers directly across a freshly broken edge. Store specimens separated in a compartmented tray to protect the fracture surfaces that make each specimen useful for teaching.

Why Choose LabEquip

This fracture set is part of LabEquip’s wider Educational Rock and Minerals range, built so each identification property has its own dedicated, purpose-selected specimen group. Pair it with a cleavage or hardness set from the same range for a fuller identification toolkit, or see our Chemistry Lab Equipment range for related classroom apparatus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is fracture in mineralogy?

Fracture is how a mineral breaks along a surface that isn’t a flat cleavage plane. The resulting surface is irregular, and its specific pattern (conchoidal, fibrous, hackly, earthy) is itself a useful identification clue.

How is fracture different from cleavage?

Cleavage produces smooth, flat breaks along planes of weaker atomic bonding. Fracture happens where no such plane exists, producing irregular surfaces instead of flat ones.

What is conchoidal fracture?

Conchoidal fracture is a smooth, curved break resembling broken glass, classically seen in quartz and volcanic glass such as obsidian.

What other fracture types does this set show?

The group also includes examples of fibrous or splintery fracture, hackly (jagged) fracture, and uneven or earthy fracture, giving a broad visual reference set.

Is it safe to handle freshly fractured specimens?

Some fracture edges, especially conchoidal breaks, can be sharp. Handle specimens carefully and avoid running fingers directly along a fresh break.

What level is this set suited to?

It works well for secondary school earth science and as a supporting identification set in introductory college mineralogy courses.

Last Updated: September 2026