The black crystals in this picture are a magnetic mineral called magnetite!
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Corel
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Find out how to identify minerals (...and learn what shape, luster, color, streak, hardness, cleavage and fracture are all about!)
Meet some other nonsilicate minerals!
Magnetite
This mineral is a magnet! It is called magnetite. It is probably not magnetic enough to stick to your refrigerator, but it will should attract a bar magnet.
Sometimes the black sand grains at beaches are made of magnetite. Try putting a magnet on black sand to see if the little black sand grains stick to it.
Last modified June 12, 2003 by Lisa Gardiner.
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