Question

Why cant you just use color of a mineral to identify what the mineral is?

Answer 1

Color is not a very reliable way of telling what kind of mineral it is. For example, diamonds can be clear but also can be white. The color can fool the inspector.

Answer 2

you cant just use color of a mineral to identify what the mineral is because one or more minerals could be the same color. you can look at the size, the cleavage and the hardness! just an extra hint!!