Specific Gravity Collection, Set of 10

Product Description

Specific gravity — a mineral’s density compared to the density of water — is one of the most reliable properties for distinguishing minerals that can otherwise look alike. This ten-piece collection gives students a hands-on range of specimens with noticeably different weights for their size, from lighter rock-forming minerals to markedly heavier, denser samples. Handling several specimens side by side makes the concept of density concrete in a way that reading a textbook value never can.

The set is designed to be paired with a simple specific gravity balance or a water-displacement setup using a graduated cylinder, letting students calculate specific gravity for each specimen and compare their results against reference values. It works well as a standalone density unit or as a companion set alongside our other mineral-property collections for a complete physical-properties-of-minerals module.

Collection Details

Classroom & Lab Applications

• Specific gravity and density calculation exercises
• Archimedes’ principle and water-displacement demonstrations
• Comparative mineral identification using measured density ranges
• Cross-referencing with streak, hardness and tenacity tests for a full mineral ID workflow

Care & Handling

Dry each specimen after use, keep them separated in a compartmented tray to avoid scratching, and store the identification key together with the set so it stays complete and organised for repeated classroom use.

Why Choose LabEquip

This Specific Gravity Collection is part of LabEquip’s broader Educational Rock and Minerals range, designed to work alongside our other property-testing sets such as the Streak Collection for a complete mineral-identification curriculum. For balances and measuring equipment to pair with density experiments, browse our Physics Lab Equipment range.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is specific gravity and why is it used to identify minerals?

Specific gravity is the ratio of a mineral’s density to the density of water. It’s a reliable identification property because it doesn’t change with the size of the specimen, unlike raw weight or volume.

2. How do I measure specific gravity with this set?

Weigh each specimen in air, then weigh it again while fully submerged in water using a hydrostatic balance or submersion cradle. Specific gravity equals the weight in air divided by the difference between the two readings.

3. What density range do the 10 specimens cover?

The set is graded from lighter silicate and carbonate minerals through denser oxide and sulphide minerals, giving students a practical spread for comparison and ranking exercises.

4. Is this set suitable for both school and college use?

Yes. It works as an introductory density exercise at school level and as a more rigorous mineral-identification practical in college-level mineralogy or earth science courses.

5. Do I need a special balance to use this set?

A standard hydrostatic (Jolly) balance or a top-pan balance fitted with a submersion cradle is recommended for accurate air/water weight comparisons, though any balance capable of weighing a submerged sample will work.

6. How should I store the specimens between classes?

Dry each specimen after use, keep them separated in a compartmented tray to avoid scratching, and store the identification key together with the set.

Last Updated: September 2026