The property that describes how a mineral reflects light from its surface is called luster.

Here's a breakdown:

* Luster refers to the quality of light reflected from a mineral's surface. It's a descriptive term that helps identify minerals.

* Types of Luster: There are many types of luster, including:

* Metallic: Looks like polished metal (e.g., pyrite, galena)

* Non-metallic:

* Vitreous: Glassy (e.g., quartz)

* Resinous: Like resin (e.g., amber)

* Pearly: Like a pearl (e.g., talc)

* Silky: Like silk (e.g., asbestos)

* Dull: No shine (e.g., clay)

* Earthy: Like dirt (e.g., hematite)

Luster is a valuable tool in mineral identification, as it can help distinguish between minerals that look similar otherwise.