Do the physical properties of a mineral make it possible to identify what the mineral is?
The physical properties of a mineral do make it possible to identify minerals. However, some physical properties such as color can be less helpful because some minerals can be found in many different colors. Nonetheless, by also examining chemical and optical properties, one can better identify the mineral. One can begin by identifying luster of a mineral: metallic or nonmetallic. A metallic luster allows light to reflect, they are usually represented with surfaces that are opaque, reflective, and a silvery, gold, brassy, or coppery sheen. A nonmetallic luster can be described as greasy, satiny, pearly, waxy (like a candle), vitreous (resembling a glossy photograph or freshly broken glass), Earthy, or porcelaneous. For both metallic and nonmetallic minerals, one can then determine hardness, cleavage, color, tenacity, crystal form (if visible), and specific gravity. Yet, if the mineral is metallic one would also consider the mineral’s streak and magnetism, whereas if it is nonmetallic o
