Arsenopyrite
Not and ore, but common sulphide associated with ores Usually granular masses of a silvery or whitish-grey. H (5.5-6), very heavy with good cleavage, metallic luster brighter than pyrite or pyrrhotite. Black streak that smells slightly of garlic.
Asbestos (serpentine)
Industrial mineral (insulation)
Azurite
Copper indicator mineral (rarely ore). Hydrous copper carbonate, bright azure blue, heavy, semi-hard (3.5-4) with pale blue streak. Commonly occurs as a film or earthy granular or concretionary masses.
Bornite
Copper (Cu) ore. Brownish-purple compact granular masses (rarely cubic) which are usually tarnished to an irridescent purple and blue film (peacock ore). Soft (3), very heavy and fragile with good cleavage, metallic luster.
Chalcopyrite
Copper (Cu) ore. Dark or brassy-yellow often with an irridescent film (bright greens, reds, blues in contrast to the deep purple of bornite). Generally granular masses, H (3.5-4), heavy, no cleavage, conchoidal fracture with metallic to semi-metallic luster. Greenish-black streak.
Chromite
Chromium (Cr) ore. Black, granular masses with a vaguely glassy luster compared with magnetite and ilmenite. Heavy, hard (5.5), no cleavage, dark brown streak.
Galena
Lead (Pb) ore. Hardness of 2 to 3 making it very soft. Cubic crystals with prefect or almost perfect cleavage. High density rock with a bright metallic luster and dark grey streak. Usually found as compact granular masses.
Goetite/ Limonite
Iron ore and iron indicator mineral
Graphite
Industrial mineral (lubricant, thermal conductor)
Hematite
Iron ore. It is possible to find hematitle in silver colour in nature. The best method to identify them is to use the colour of the streak which is red.
Ilmenite
Titanium ore. Locally very weakly magnetic, blackish granular masses with dull submetallic luster. Heavy, H (5-6), no cleavage, black to brownish-red streak.
Limonite
Magnetite
Iron (Fe) ore. Highly magnetic, iron-black, granular masses with dull submetallic luster and blueish irridescence. Very heavy, H (5.5-6), no cleavage, black streak.
Malachite
Copper indicator mineral (rarely ore). Emerald-green-pale green film or rarely acicular fibrous crystals. H (3.5-4), sometimes silky luster, light green streak.
Molybdenite
Industrial mineral (lubricant) and molybdenum
Native Copper
Copper (Cu) ore. Soft (2.5-3) copper-red, very heavy, ductile and malleable with a hackly fracture, metallic luster. Occurs in compact or dendritic masses. Often has a greenish film of malachite.
Pyyrhotite
Not and ore, but common sulphide associated with ores. Usually magnetic, not as strong as magnetite. Bronze-silvery and duller than pyrite, massive, granular aggregates, sometimes irridescent. Very heavy, H (3.5-4.5), fragile with parting, bright metallic luster.
Pyrite
Not and ore, but common sulphide associated with ores. striated cubic or sometimes octahedarl crystals but more commonly granular aggregates with bright metallic luster and a fairly brassy-yellow, H (6-6.5), greenish-black streak.
Sphalerite
Zinc (Zn) ore. Hardness of about 3 – 4.5. Pale yellow-brown streak, very variable from yellow or reddish brown to blackish (with high iron) to colourless. Heavy, fragile with perfect cleavage parallel to crystal faces. Usually has a waxy to resinous luster and can be transparent.
References:
Geology 311 Lab Manual, University of Calgary