What can one come to know about a mineral just by knowing name?

Question

I have been busy learning the components of various minerals for upcoming test....is there any way to predict the components or properties of a mineral just by knowing it's name?\nEg: albite,augite, labradorite,biotite,anorthite

Answer 1

Without being able to test the properties of the mineral, you will just have to memorize the properties. You can predict the properties if the mineral falls within the same class or same solid solution series such as feldspars. Lets say you know the properties of plagiocalse but not orthoclase. Since both are feldspars, both have similar properties such as cleavage, luster, hardness etc.