Metamorphic Rock Identification

gneiss

foliated, banding
macroscopic mineral grains arranged in altering light and dark bands.

schist

foliated, mineral alignment
mostly visible flakes of mica oriented nearly parallel, creating a "schistose" texture. Sparkly appearance.

phyllite

foliated, mineral alignment
microscopic flakes of mica oriented parallel create a sheen (slight reflective surface).

slate

foliated, mineral alignment
microscopic flakes of mostly mica (smaller than those in phyllite). Parallel orientation creates "slatey cleavage" planes of weakness.

metaconglomerate

nonfoliated
visible pebbles (conglomerate texture) and Pebbles often deformed (squashed).

quartzite

nonfoliated
very hard (scratches glass)
Commonly white, pink, buff, brown

marble

nonfoliated
composed dominantly of calcite or dolomite which has been recrystallized.
Reaction with HCl

anthracite coal

nonfoliated
black and shiny
irregular "conchoidal" fracture
glassy appearance