# Graphite

Graphite is a soft mineral that is used to make pencils! It is black and can leave marks on paper.

- **Category:** [Mineral](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mineral)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

![Graphite](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426280/objects/5423.jpg)

## Appearance

The Graphite is typically a dark steel-gray to dull black mineral. It often exhibits a metallic sheen, giving it a somewhat shiny appearance, but can also look earthy and matte. Unlike many hard minerals, it feels soft and greasy to the touch, easily leaving a mark.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia

## Interesting facts

- Despite being pure carbon, just like diamonds, graphite is super soft!
- Every time you write with a pencil, you're using tiny flakes of graphite!
- It's so soft, it feels greasy or slippery when you touch it!
- Some scientists are even trying to grow giant graphite crystals in space!

## Special abilities

- **Smooth Glide:** Graphite has a unique layered atomic structure that makes it incredibly slippery, perfect for reducing friction.
- **Electric Flow:** Graphite has free electrons between its carbon layers, allowing it to conduct electricity very well, unlike most non-metals.
- **Heat Shield:** Graphite has an extremely high melting point and can withstand extreme temperatures, making it useful in hot places.

## Measurements & details

- **Color Range:** steel-gray, black
- **Hardness:** 1.5
- **Luster:** metallic to dull
- **Specific Gravity:** 2.23
- **Crystal System:** hexagonal

## Traits

- [Crystalline](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/crystalline): Crystalline describes a mineral or rock composed of crystals, often exhibiting a regular atomic structure and geometric external form.
- [Natural](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/natural): Natural refers to organisms, materials, or phenomena existing or produced by nature, not artificially created.

## Collections

- [Minerals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals)
- [Minerals & Rocks](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/minerals-and-rocks)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Handle gently and avoid sharp edges. Ask an adult before picking anything up.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Graphite?

Compare crystal habit, luster, transparency, cleavage and surface texture. Minerals with different compositions can share almost the same color. Mineral Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### What colors can Graphite be?

steel-gray, black

### How hard is Graphite?

1.5

### What kind of luster does Graphite have?

metallic to dull

### What is Graphite's specific gravity?

2.23

### What crystal system does Graphite belong to?

hexagonal

## More Mineral

- [Quartz Crystal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/quartz-crystal)
- [Amethyst](https://www.snappit.app/explore/amethyst)
- [Rose Quartz](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rose-quartz)
- [Citrine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/citrine)

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Source: [Graphite: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/graphite)