There are six main characteristics used to identify minerals:
1. Color - Though color alone cannot identify a mineral, it can provide a clue. Minerals can come in multiple colors.
2. Crystals - The specific shape crystals form in can help identify minerals.
3. Hardness - Hardness is measured on Moh's scale and compares scratchability. Hardness can identify minerals.
4. Streak - The color a mineral leaves when rubbed on a surface, often different than its own color.
5. Cleavage and fracture - How a mineral breaks, either along smooth planes (cleavage) or with rough edges (fracture).
6. Luster - How light reflects off a
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