Graphite
Mineral C
Also called Plumbago and Black lead
About it
Soft, greasy-feeling black flakes that mark paper; blacker and lighter than molybdenite, which leaves a greenish streak on glazed porcelain. Notable from Sri Lanka, Ticonderoga in New York, and the marbles of Quebec.
- Type
- Mineral
- Group
- Native element, carbon
- Formula
- C
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 1–2
- Specific gravity
- 2.09–2.23
- Streak
- black to steel grey
- Lustre
- metallic, dull, earthy
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Colours
- black, steel grey
- Transparency
- opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- perfect basal, flexible flakes
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.