Quick Answer: A set of 10 labelled mineral specimens selected to demonstrate cleavage — the tendency of a mineral to break along smooth, flat planes controlled by its internal crystal structure — one of the core physical-property tests used in mineral identification.
Product Description
The Cleavage Collection, Set of 10 lets students see and feel one of mineralogy’s key diagnostic properties directly. Where colour and lustre can be misleading, cleavage is a structural fingerprint: it reflects the way atoms are bonded inside the mineral, so it stays consistent from specimen to specimen of the same mineral.
Cleavage is usually described by the number of flat planes a mineral breaks along and the angles between them. Classic teaching examples include mica, which splits into thin, flexible sheets along a single perfect plane; halite, which breaks into cubes along three planes meeting at right angles; calcite, which breaks into rhombohedra along three planes that are not at right angles; and feldspar, which shows two cleavage directions at close to 90°. A set like this gives students several such examples side by side to compare.
Because cleavage is best understood by handling real specimens under a hand lens or bright light — counting flat, reflective faces and estimating the angles between them — this collection is built for direct classroom use rather than photographs in a textbook.
Specimen Details
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Mineral physical-property teaching set (cleavage) |
| Set Size | 10 labelled specimens |
| Specimen Form | Small hand samples, individually labelled |
| Typical Examples Illustrated | Minerals with 1, 2, 3 or 4 directions of cleavage (e.g. mica, feldspar, calcite, halite-type examples) |
| Storage | Compartmented tray or box |
| Recommended Level | Secondary school earth science, introductory mineralogy and geology |
Applications
- Identifying minerals by counting cleavage planes and estimating the angles between them
- Comparing cleavage with fracture on minerals that lack cleavage planes
- Combining with a Mohs hardness set for multi-property mineral identification exercises
- Earth science and geology coursework on crystal structure and bonding
- Hand-lens observation practice for students new to mineral identification
Care & Handling
- Handle each specimen gently — cleavage planes are naturally weaker than the rest of the mineral and can split under a sharp knock
- Return each piece to its labelled tray slot after use so the set stays complete
- Keep specimens away from table edges; small hand samples can chip if dropped
- Wipe with a soft dry cloth rather than washing, since some minerals in this category are moisture-sensitive
- Store away from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve specimen surfaces
Why Choose LabEquip
LabEquip’s Educational Rock and Minerals range is built so schools can teach mineral identification with real specimens rather than photographs alone. This cleavage set pairs naturally with the companion Fracture Collection, Set of 10 for lessons that contrast the two breaking behaviours, and with the Mohs Hardness Set where a full identification workflow (hardness, cleavage, and fracture) is being taught in one unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in the Cleavage Collection, Set of 10?
The set contains 10 individually labelled mineral hand specimens chosen to illustrate different cleavage patterns, from minerals with a single perfect cleavage plane to those with three or four directions, supplied in a compartmented tray.
What is mineral cleavage, and how is it different from fracture?
Cleavage is the tendency of a mineral to break along smooth, flat planes determined by weaker bonds in its crystal structure. Fracture is an irregular break that does not follow a flat plane. Some minerals show cleavage, some show fracture, and some show both depending on direction.
How many directions of cleavage should students look for?
Cleavage is described by the number of distinct flat planes a specimen shows and the angles between them, ranging from one direction (such as mica) up to four or more directions in some minerals. This set includes examples across that range for comparison.
What subjects or grade levels is this set suited for?
It is designed for secondary school earth science and introductory mineralogy or geology classes where students learn to identify minerals using physical properties.
How should the cleavage specimens be stored and handled?
Keep each specimen in its labelled tray slot, handle gently since cleavage planes are naturally weaker than the rest of the mineral, and store away from humidity and direct sunlight.
Does LabEquip offer a companion fracture or hardness set?
Yes. The Fracture Collection, Set of 10 and the Mohs Hardness Set are natural companions for building a complete mineral identification unit.
Last Updated: September 2026
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.