Eleven adjectives are commonly used to describe mineral luster. They are: metallic, submetallic, nonmetallic, vitreous, dull, greasy, pearly, resinous, silky, waxy, and adamantine. These adjectives convey – in a single word – a property that can be important in the identification of a mineral.

The term luster refers to the appearance of a fresh surface of a mineral in reflected light. The two basic types of luster are metallic and non-metallic.

Urine specific gravity is a laboratory test that shows the concentration of all chemical particles in the urine.

High specific gravity suggests that the urine is too concentrated. Conditions that cause high specific gravity include: dehydration. diarrhea or vomiting resulting in dehydration.

To put it another way, the specific density of water would be 1.000. Ideally, urine specific gravity results will fall between 1.002 and 1.030 if your kidneys are functioning normally. Specific gravity results above 1.010 can indicate mild dehydration. The higher the number, the more dehydrated you may be.

The first and most common reason for an increase in urine specific gravity is dehydration. The second reason for a high specific gravity is an increased secretion of anti-diuretic hormone (ADH). ADH causes increased tubular water re-absorption and decreased urine volume.

Specific gravity (SG) <1.008 is dilute and >1.020 is concentrated. Increased SG is seen in conditions causing dehydration, glycosuria, renal artery stenosis, heart failure (secondary to decreased blood flow to the kidneys), inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion and proteinuria.

The normal values range from pH 4.6 to 8.0.