Here's a breakdown:
* Specific gravity is a dimensionless number that represents the ratio of the density of a substance to the density of a reference substance, which is usually water at 4°C.
* In simpler terms, it tells you how much denser a mineral is compared to water.
* A specific gravity of 1 means the mineral has the same density as water.
* A specific gravity greater than 1 indicates the mineral is denser than water, and a specific gravity less than 1 indicates the mineral is less dense than water.
For example, gold has a specific gravity of about 19.3, meaning it's about 19.3 times denser than water. This is why gold feels so heavy in your hand.
