Luster can be described in many ways, including:
* Metallic: Looks like polished metal (e.g., pyrite, galena)
* Non-metallic:
* Vitreous: Glassy (e.g., quartz)
* Adamantine: Brilliant, like a diamond (e.g., diamond)
* Resinous: Like resin (e.g., amber)
* Pearly: Like a pearl (e.g., muscovite mica)
* Silky: Like silk (e.g., asbestos)
* Dull: No shine (e.g., clay)
* Earthy: Like soil (e.g., limonite)
Luster is one of the key physical properties used to identify minerals.