« Stem News and Articles

Post Details

Posted On:
November 7, 2022
at 3:02 pm

Author:
Destiny Madaje

ThoughtCo: Examples of Different Mineral Lusters

Submit a Resource

ThoughtCo: Examples of Different Mineral Lusters

Luster, also spelled lustre, is a simple word for a complex thing: the way light interacts with the surface of a mineral. This gallery shows the major types of luster, which range from metallic to dull.

I might call luster the combination of reflectance (shininess) and transparency. According to those parameters, here is how the common lusters would come out, allowing some variation:

Metallic: very high reflectance, opaque
Submetallic: medium reflectance, opaque
Adamantine: very high reflectance, transparent
Glassy: high reflectance, transparent or translucent
Resinous: medium reflectance, translucent
Waxy: medium reflectance, translucent or opaque
Pearly: low reflectance, translucent or opaque
Dull: no reflectance, opaque

Other common descriptors include greasy, silky, vitreous and earthy.

There are no set boundaries between each of these lusters, and different sources may classify luster in different ways. Additionally, a single category of mineral may have specimens within it with different lusters. Luster is qualitative rather than quantitative.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Galena

Galena has the real metallic luster, with every fresh face like a mirror.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Gold

Gold has a metallic luster, shiny on a clean face and dull on a worn face like this nugget.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Magnetite

Magnetite has a metallic luster, shiny on a clean face and dull on a weathered face.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Chalcopyrite

Chalcopyrite has a metallic luster although it is a metal sulfide rather than a metal.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Pyrite

Pyrite has a metallic or submetallic luster although it is an iron sulfide rather than a metal.

of 27

Submetallic Luster in Hematite

Hematite has a submetallic luster in this specimen, although it can also be dull.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Diamond

Diamond shows the definitive adamantine luster (extremely shiny, even fiery), but only on a clean crystal face or fracture surface. This specimen has a luster better described as greasy.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Ruby

Ruby and other varieties of corundum can display an adamantine luster owing to its high index of refraction.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Zircon

Zircon has an adamantine luster owing to its high index of refraction, which is second only to diamond.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Andradite Garnet

Andradite can display adamantine luster in high-quality specimens, which led to its traditional name of demantoid (diamondlike) garnet.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Cinnabar

Cinnabar displays a range of lusters from waxy to submetallic, but in this specimen it is closest to adamantine.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Quartz

Quartz sets the standard for glassy (vitreous) luster, especially in clear crystals like these.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Olivine

Peridot mineral stone.Tom Cockrem / Getty Images

Olivine has a glassy (vitreous) luster that is typical of silicate minerals.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Topaz

Topaz displays a glassy (vitreous) luster in these well-formed crystals.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Selenite

Selenite crystal — Selenite, satin spar, desert rose, and gypsum flower are four varieties of the mineral gypsum.Nastasic / Getty Images

Selenite or clear gypsum has a glassy (vitreous) luster, though not as well developed as other minerals. Its sheen, likened to moonlight, accounts for its name.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Actinolite

Actinolite has a glassy (vitreous) luster, although it can also look pearly or resinous or even silky if its crystals are fine enough.

of 27

Resinous Luster in Amber

Amber is the typical material displaying resinous luster. This term generally is applied to minerals of warm color with some transparency.

of 27

Resinous Luster in Spessartine Garnet

Spessartine garnet can display the golden, soft sheen known as resinous luster.

of 27

Waxy Luster in Chalcedony

Chalcedony is the form of quartz with microscopic crystals. Here, in the form of chert, it shows a typical waxy luster.

of 27

Waxy Luster in Variscite

Variscite mineral, detail.Schafer & Hill / Getty Images

Variscite is a phosphate mineral with a well-developed waxy luster. Waxy luster is typical of many secondary minerals with microscopic crystals.

of 27

Pearly Luster in Talc

Talc is well known for its pearly luster, derived from its extremely thin layers that interact with light penetrating the surface.

of 27

Pearly Luster in Muscovite

Muscovite, like other mica minerals, gets its pearly luster from the extremely thin layers beneath its surface which is otherwise glassy.

of 27

Dull or Earthy Luster in Psilomelane

Psilomelane has a dull or earthy luster owing to its extremely small or nonexistent crystals and lack of transparency.

of 27

Dull or Earthy Luster in Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla has a dull or earthy luster, even though it is vibrantly colorful, owing to its microscopic crystals.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Aragonite

Aragonite has a glassy (vitreous) luster on fresh faces or high-quality crystals like these.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Calcite

Calcite has a glassy (vitreous) luster, although being a soft mineral it turns duller with exposure.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Tourmaline

Tourmaline has a glassy (vitreous) luster, although a black specimen like this schorl crystal is not what we normally think of as glassy.

CITE THIS ARTICLE

Alden, Andrew. “Examples of Different Mineral Lusters.” ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/examples-of-different-mineral-lusters-4122803.

ThoughtCo.

Science Topics

Geology

K-6, Middle School, High School

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Minerals

RELATED LISTINGS

ThoughtCo: Lifelong Learning

ThoughtCo.

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site with a 20+ year focus on expert-created education content.

https://www.thoughtco.com/

ThoughtCo: Picture Guide to Common and Less-Common Minerals

ThoughtCo.

Identify Your Specimens with This Master Photo Guide

https://www.thoughtco.com/mineral-picture-index-1440985

What are you looking for?

Organization

ThoughtCo.

Website URL

https://www.thoughtco.com/examples-of...

Type of Resource

Article
Image

Assigned Categories

Science - Earth Sciences
Science

Resource k12

K-12 Categories

Advanced Search

Submit a Resource

ThoughtCo: Examples of Different Mineral Lusters

I might call luster the combination of reflectance (shininess) and transparency. According to those parameters, here is how the common lusters would come out, allowing some variation:

Other common descriptors include greasy, silky, vitreous and earthy.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Galena

Galena has the real metallic luster, with every fresh face like a mirror.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Gold

Gold has a metallic luster, shiny on a clean face and dull on a worn face like this nugget.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Magnetite

Magnetite has a metallic luster, shiny on a clean face and dull on a weathered face.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Chalcopyrite

Chalcopyrite has a metallic luster although it is a metal sulfide rather than a metal.

of 27

Metallic Luster in Pyrite

Pyrite has a metallic or submetallic luster although it is an iron sulfide rather than a metal.

of 27

Submetallic Luster in Hematite

Hematite has a submetallic luster in this specimen, although it can also be dull.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Diamond

Diamond shows the definitive adamantine luster (extremely shiny, even fiery), but only on a clean crystal face or fracture surface. This specimen has a luster better described as greasy.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Ruby

Ruby and other varieties of corundum can display an adamantine luster owing to its high index of refraction.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Zircon

Zircon has an adamantine luster owing to its high index of refraction, which is second only to diamond.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Andradite Garnet

Andradite can display adamantine luster in high-quality specimens, which led to its traditional name of demantoid (diamondlike) garnet.

of 27

Adamantine Luster in Cinnabar

Cinnabar displays a range of lusters from waxy to submetallic, but in this specimen it is closest to adamantine.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Quartz

Quartz sets the standard for glassy (vitreous) luster, especially in clear crystals like these.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Olivine

Olivine has a glassy (vitreous) luster that is typical of silicate minerals.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Topaz

Topaz displays a glassy (vitreous) luster in these well-formed crystals.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Selenite

Selenite or clear gypsum has a glassy (vitreous) luster, though not as well developed as other minerals. Its sheen, likened to moonlight, accounts for its name.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Actinolite

Actinolite has a glassy (vitreous) luster, although it can also look pearly or resinous or even silky if its crystals are fine enough.

of 27

Resinous Luster in Amber

Amber is the typical material displaying resinous luster. This term generally is applied to minerals of warm color with some transparency.

of 27

Resinous Luster in Spessartine Garnet

Spessartine garnet can display the golden, soft sheen known as resinous luster.

of 27

Waxy Luster in Chalcedony

Chalcedony is the form of quartz with microscopic crystals. Here, in the form of chert, it shows a typical waxy luster.

of 27

Waxy Luster in Variscite

Variscite is a phosphate mineral with a well-developed waxy luster. Waxy luster is typical of many secondary minerals with microscopic crystals.

of 27

Pearly Luster in Talc

Talc is well known for its pearly luster, derived from its extremely thin layers that interact with light penetrating the surface.

of 27

Pearly Luster in Muscovite

Muscovite, like other mica minerals, gets its pearly luster from the extremely thin layers beneath its surface which is otherwise glassy.

of 27

Dull or Earthy Luster in Psilomelane

Psilomelane has a dull or earthy luster owing to its extremely small or nonexistent crystals and lack of transparency.

of 27

Dull or Earthy Luster in Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla has a dull or earthy luster, even though it is vibrantly colorful, owing to its microscopic crystals.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Aragonite

Aragonite has a glassy (vitreous) luster on fresh faces or high-quality crystals like these.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Calcite

Calcite has a glassy (vitreous) luster, although being a soft mineral it turns duller with exposure.

of 27

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Tourmaline

Tourmaline has a glassy (vitreous) luster, although a black specimen like this schorl crystal is not what we normally think of as glassy.

CITE THIS ARTICLE

Alden, Andrew. “Examples of Different Mineral Lusters.” ThoughtCo, Feb. 16, 2021, thoughtco.com/examples-of-different-mineral-lusters-4122803.

ThoughtCo.

Science Topics

Geology

K-6, Middle School, High School

4th Grade, 5th Grade, 6th Grade, 7th Grade, 8th Grade, 9th Grade, 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Minerals

RELATED LISTINGS

ThoughtCo: Lifelong Learning

ThoughtCo.

ThoughtCo is a premier reference site with a 20+ year focus on expert-created education content.

https://www.thoughtco.com/

ThoughtCo: Picture Guide to Common and Less-Common Minerals

ThoughtCo.

Identify Your Specimens with This Master Photo Guide

https://www.thoughtco.com/mineral-picture-index-1440985

What are you looking for?

Organization

ThoughtCo.

Website URL

https://www.thoughtco.com/examples-of...

Type of Resource

Article
Image

Assigned Categories

Science - Earth Sciences
Science

STEM Without Barriers: Spotlight on Building Opportunity in Bisbee

April 27, 2026 3:00 pm

AZ STEM Ecosystem, AZ STEM Ecosystem partners, Blog, Education, STEM, STEM Careers, STEM Community Development, STEM Education, STEM Workforce

Why STEM Education Is Arizona’s Most Important Economic Strategy: Spotlight on Arizona Technology Council

March 30, 2026 10:15 am

Arizona Technology Council, Blog, Ecosystem, Education, STEM, STEM Education

From STEM Celebration to Career Exploration: 15 Years of the Arizona SciTech Festival

February 10, 2026 3:32 pm

AZ STEM Ecosystem, Blog, Featured STEM Events, Signature Event, STEM Careers, STEM Community Development, STEM Education, STEM Workforce

Explore More

Connect with us on social media to dive deeper into the exciting world of STEM!

NEWS

Post Details

ThoughtCo: Examples of Different Mineral Lusters

Metallic Luster in Galena

Metallic Luster in Gold

Metallic Luster in Magnetite

Metallic Luster in Chalcopyrite

Metallic Luster in Pyrite

Submetallic Luster in Hematite

Adamantine Luster in Diamond

Adamantine Luster in Ruby

Adamantine Luster in Zircon

Adamantine Luster in Andradite Garnet

Adamantine Luster in Cinnabar

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Quartz

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Olivine

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Topaz

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Selenite

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Actinolite

Resinous Luster in Amber

Resinous Luster in Spessartine Garnet

Waxy Luster in Chalcedony

Waxy Luster in Variscite

Pearly Luster in Talc

Pearly Luster in Muscovite

Dull or Earthy Luster in Psilomelane

Dull or Earthy Luster in Chrysocolla

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Aragonite

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Calcite

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Tourmaline

What are you looking for?

Organization

Website URL

Type of Resource

Assigned Categories

Resource k12

Metallic Luster in Galena

Metallic Luster in Gold

Metallic Luster in Magnetite

Metallic Luster in Chalcopyrite

Metallic Luster in Pyrite

Submetallic Luster in Hematite

Adamantine Luster in Diamond

Adamantine Luster in Ruby

Adamantine Luster in Zircon

Adamantine Luster in Andradite Garnet

Adamantine Luster in Cinnabar

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Quartz

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Olivine

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Topaz

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Selenite

Glassy or Vitreous Luster in Actinolite

Resinous Luster in Amber

Resinous Luster in Spessartine Garnet

Waxy Luster in Chalcedony

Waxy Luster in Variscite

Pearly Luster in Talc

Pearly Luster in Muscovite

Dull or Earthy Luster in Psilomelane

Dull or Earthy Luster in Chrysocolla

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Aragonite

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Calcite

Glassy or Vitreous Luster – Tourmaline

What are you looking for?

Organization

Website URL

Type of Resource

Assigned Categories

Related News Articles

Explore More

About SciTech Institute

SITE MENU

CONTACT US