Graphite Archives - Cochise College Geology

Graphite

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Chemical Group: Native element

Chemical Formula: C(carbon)

Color: Iron-black to dark steel-gray

Luster: Metallic, dull, earthy Feel: Greasy

Hardness: 1 to 2 Specific Gravity: 2.09 to 2.23

Cleavage: Perfect basal cleavage

Tenacity: Thin plates are flexible but not elastic

Transparency: Opaque Electrical: Conductor of electricity

Crystal Forms and Habits: Hexagonal (rhombohedral) system. Graphite commonly occurs in foliated masses.

Mineral Associations: Graphite often occurs as a metamorphic mineral, but also be found in some igneous rocks.

Uses: Pencil leads, crucibles, lubricant, composites with epoxies

Occurrences: Sonora, Mexico, Siberia, England, and Ticonderoga, New York

Additional Information: Graphite is one of the two naturally forms of carbon; the other variety is diamond. Graphite is quite soft and is also used as an expensive lubricant.

Back to Minerals

Photos

Graphite 1 2 3 4 5 6

graphite-black-shiny — Graphite-Black-Shiny

graphite-dar kgray- submetallic luster — Graphite-Dar Kgray- Submetallic Luster

graphite-dark gray-foliated — Graphite-Dark Gray-Foliated

graphite-dark gray-massive — Graphite-Dark Gray-Massive

graphite-dark gray-metallic luster-on quartz — Graphite-Dark Gray-Metallic Luster-On Quartz

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