* Hardness: The hardness of a mineral can be determined by scratching it with a fingernail or a Mohs scale of hardness.

* Streak: The streak of a mineral is the color of the powder that it leaves when it is rubbed against a hard surface.

* Cleavage: The cleavage of a mineral is the way in which it breaks along its crystal planes.

* Fracture: The fracture of a mineral is the way in which it breaks when it does not cleave along its crystal planes.

* Crystal habit: The crystal habit of a mineral is the shape that its crystals typically take.

* Specific gravity: The specific gravity of a mineral is the ratio of its density to the density of water.