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What properties are used to identify minerals and gems?

2 Answers

2 votes

Answer:

There are many properties to identify minerals and gems.

Almost all, if not all are physical properties of the mineral/gem.

Where so of the ways they are distinguished:

1. Color

2. Luster (How shiny it is)

3. Streak (What color it leaves behind when rubbed on usually a white tile)

4. Hardness (Measured by the Mohs Hardness Scale)

There are more, but those are the main 4.

Step-by-step explanation:

User Gokhansari
by
6.6k points
3 votes
There are many properties to identify minerals and gems.
Almost all, if not all are physical properties of the mineral/gem.

Where so of the ways they are distinguished:
1. Color
2. Luster (How shiny it is)
3. Streak (What color it leaves behind when rubbed on usually a white tile)
4. Hardness (Measured by the Mohs Hardness Scale)

There are more, but those are the main 4.

Hope this helps!
User Keele
by
6.8k points