Here are some of the most common properties used:
* Color: While not always reliable, color can be a starting point.
* Streak: The color of the mineral's powder when rubbed on a streak plate.
* Hardness: Measured on Mohs Hardness Scale, comparing the mineral's resistance to scratching.
* Cleavage: The tendency of a mineral to break along specific planes.
* Fracture: The way a mineral breaks when it doesn't cleave.
* Luster: The way a mineral reflects light (e.g., metallic, glassy, dull).
* Crystal Form: The geometric shape of a mineral's crystals.
* Specific Gravity: The ratio of a mineral's density to the density of water.
* Other Tests: Some minerals have unique properties like magnetism, fluorescence, or reaction to acid.
So, rather than one scale, we use multiple properties and observations to identify minerals.
