Final answer:
The mineral specimen shows well developed cleavage, which is identifiable by the flat, shiny surfaces produced when a mineral breaks along planes where chemical bonds are weak.
Step-by-step explanation:
The mineral specimen in the image shows well developed cleavage. Cleavage refers to the way certain minerals break along specific planes where their chemical bonds are weaker, producing flat, shiny surfaces. The detailed characteristics of different minerals, including the number and angle of cleavage planes, are essential for correct mineral identification.
Observations using a hand lens might reveal slight changes in the elevations of the mineral surface, which are indicative of cleavage. For example, the presence of elongated or stubby, prismatic crystals with potential striations on one of the cleavages might suggest that cleavage is present. Moreover, the comparison of field observations, such as mineral hardness, with information from a Rock and Mineral Guide can confirm the presence of cleavage. In this context, hardness plays a role as minerals with good cleavage will have smooth flat surfaces, unlike minerals with irregular fracture patterns.