GRAPHITE

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What is it and where is it formed? Graphite is one of the two kinds of carbon. The other one is diamond which is a lot harder than graphite. The difference between the two is how the atoms are arranged. Diamonds that are close to the surface of the Earth are slowly changing into graphite. Graphite is caused by the changes in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is formed when plants, rocks, and organic things in limestone areas change over time. How and where is it mined? Graphite is mined using underground mining and surface quarrying. The way it is mined depends on how deep into the Earth the graphite is. It is mined in: China, Brazil, Canada, Malagasy, Norway, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. What is it used for? Graphite is used for the lead in pencils, to make steel stronger, and as a lubricant. Clay + water + graphite = the lead in pencils.

Photo by Eric Greene, courtesy of Treasure Mountain Mining

Mineral Characteristic	What the mineralogists say	Kid's Guide: What it REALLY means!
Chemical Symbol	C	It only has carbon in it.
Color	Black or gray	These are graphite’s usual colors.
Streak	Black gray to brownish gray	If you crushed graphite, it would become a black-gray or brownish-gray dust. It is one way that scientists identify it.
Transparency	Opaque	You can’t see through it.
Luster	Metallic to dull	If you shine a light on it, it would have a dull shine like dirty metal.
Cleavage	Perfect in 1 direction	If you broke graphite, it would break smoothly into sheets.
Fracture	Flaky	If it is broken into smaller pieces, it will be flaky or sheet-like.
Magnetism	None	It will not attract, or be attracted to, a magnet
Hardness	1 - 2	It is a soft metal.
Specific gravity	2.2	If you held a piece of it, it would seem light for its size.
Crystal Shape	Hexagonal