What are five properties that geologists find most useful for identifying minerals?

Question

What are five properties that geologists find most useful for identifying minerals?

Answer 1

Specific Gravity, Streak, Luster, Hardness and Cleavage/Fracture. Additionally- crystal shape, magnetic properties, taste, reacts with weak acids etc.

Answer 2

1. Most descriptive tables start with luster, metallic or non metallic.

2. Color, as precisely as possible light apple green, for example)

3.Specific gravity  (weight of mineral divided by the weight of an equal volume of water).  S.G. is  definition of density that compares things  to density of water.  SO density is used when not too specific (high or low density) S.G. when you need precision.

4.  Hardness- what can it scratch on the Moh's hardness scale.

5  Crystal class.

Notice that the properties more or less go from most general to more specific characteristics.  Often just the first 1 or 2 traits are enough to identify a mineral.  esp. if you are familiar with them.