This page explains how minerals are identified through physical characteristics such as color, luster, streak, and hardness. Color can be unreliable; however, streak offers a consistent identification...This page explains how minerals are identified through physical characteristics such as color, luster, streak, and hardness. Color can be unreliable; however, streak offers a consistent identification approach. Luster is categorized as metallic or non-metallic, while hardness is measured using the Mohs Hardness Scale. Additional properties like cleavage, fracture, fluorescence, and magnetism assist in distinguishing minerals.
