cleavage

Cleavage refers to the way a mineral breaks along specific planes. This property results from the internal arrangement of atoms and determines how a mineral fractures. A mineral with good cleavage splits easily into smooth, flat surfaces in certain directions, while one with poor cleavage breaks unevenly. For example, mica splits into thin sheets, demonstrating perfect cleavage. Understanding cleavage helps in identifying minerals and can indicate how they might be used in various applications, from construction materials to jewelry.