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Streak Collection, Set of 10
Chromatic Diagnostic Matrix: Features ten systematically selected minerals, including hematite and magnetite, curated to demonstrate high-contrast powder color variance when applied to unglazed porcelain streak plates for forensic mineral identification.
Ruggedized Organizational Enclosure: Housed in a 230mm x 300mm partitioned showcase with indelible nomenclature indexing to prevent specimen cross-contamination and maintain taxonomic integrity throughout intensive classroom rotations and student assessments.
₹400.00
Quick Answer: This 10-specimen streak collection lets students scrape each mineral across an unglazed porcelain streak plate and compare the resulting powder colour to the mineral’s outward appearance — a core mineral-identification technique that often gives a very different result from surface colour.
Product Description
Streak — the colour of a mineral’s powder — is one of the most consistent diagnostic properties in mineral identification, because unlike surface colour it does not change with weathering, impurities or crystal habit. This 10-piece set is chosen to demonstrate that principle clearly: several included specimens have a metallic or brightly coloured outward appearance but leave a streak of a completely different colour when scraped across an unglazed porcelain plate.
Students draw each specimen firmly across the streak plate and record the powder colour, then compare it against the mineral’s surface colour and against reference streak-colour charts. Because streak is only reliable for minerals softer than the porcelain plate itself (roughly Mohs hardness 7 or below), the set also introduces the idea that not every mineral can be streak-tested, reinforcing the importance of combining multiple identification properties rather than relying on one alone.
Specimen Details
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Set size | 10 mineral specimens selected to demonstrate streak |
| Property demonstrated | Streak (colour of powdered mineral) |
| Test method | Scrape specimen across an unglazed porcelain streak plate |
| Limitation | Not reliable for minerals harder than the streak plate (~Mohs 7) |
| Recommended equipment | Unglazed porcelain streak plate, mineral identification reference |
| Typical use | Earth science and mineralogy identification labs |
Applications
- Mineral identification practicals in earth science and geology courses
- Teaching the difference between surface colour and diagnostic streak colour
- Combined-property identification exercises alongside hardness and cleavage sets
- Introductory college mineralogy laboratory work
Care & Handling
Wipe the streak plate clean between specimens so residual powder from one mineral doesn’t contaminate the next reading. Handle softer specimens carefully, since streak-testing intentionally abrades a small amount of material from the mineral’s surface, and store the set in a compartmented tray to prevent the specimens from scratching each other.
Why Choose LabEquip
This streak collection is part of LabEquip’s wider Educational Rock and Minerals range, designed to build mineral-identification skills property by property. Pair it with a hardness or specific gravity set from the same range to give students a fuller identification toolkit, or browse our Chemistry Lab Equipment range for related classroom apparatus.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is streak and why is it more reliable than surface colour?
Streak is the colour of a mineral’s powder, obtained by scraping it across an unglazed porcelain plate. It stays constant even when a specimen’s surface colour varies due to weathering or impurities, making it a more dependable identification property.
How do I perform a streak test with this set?
Firmly draw the specimen across an unglazed porcelain streak plate and observe the colour of the powder left behind, then compare it with the mineral’s outward colour and a streak-colour reference chart.
Why can’t every mineral be streak-tested?
Streak testing only works reliably on minerals softer than the porcelain plate itself, roughly Mohs hardness 7 or below. Harder minerals will scratch the plate instead of leaving a powder streak.
Do outward colour and streak colour ever match?
Sometimes, but this set specifically includes specimens where the two differ noticeably, which is what makes streak such a useful teaching example of a diagnostic property.
Is a streak plate included with this set?
Check the current product listing for exact inclusions; an unglazed porcelain streak plate is the standard tool used alongside a set like this one.
How should I clean the streak plate between tests?
Wipe off residual powder with a dry cloth or tissue between specimens so leftover colour from a previous test doesn’t affect the next reading.
Last Updated: September 2026
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