Talc (Sample #22)
Colour: White mostly but also green, brown and clear
Hardness: 1
Streak: White to pale green
Luster: Pearly
Magnetic: No
Conductive: No
Cleavage: Perfect, it cleaves into thin sheets
Relative Density: 2.7 -2.8
Distinguishing Characteristics: This is a soft mineral that often feels soft or greasy. This is one of the softest minerals in the world. It is often found in metamorphic rocks near plate boundaries.
Uses: Talc is a very useful mineral. It is used as filler in plastics to increase stiffness and heat resistance. Talc is a base mineral in most cosmetics such as powders (eye shadow, blush, and antiperspirant) as it easily attaches to skin, absorbs oil and can be easily washed off. Talc is used in paper production to make a smoother paper or in food-based powders such as coffee creamer.
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