Specgrav Nature Science Company Determining Specific Gravity of a Mineral Specific gravity is the weight of a mineral compared to the weight of an equal volume of water. So a mineral with a specific gravity of 2.00 weighs twice as much as water. A mineral with specific gravity of 1.5 weighs half again as much as water.
Specific gravity is easy to measure.
It is very helpful in identifying an unknown mineral. To determine specific gravity, try this method. Weigh your mineral all by itself on the scale. Record the weight in your notes. You will compare this weight with the weight of an equal volume of water.