Hardness and streak, because that's what we usually use for rock labs at my school. Our book describes the mineral and we usually use hardness and streak. We use color if we absolutely cannot figure out the answer. Hope this helped!
By: Zack
More advanced and accurate methods include X-ray diffraction mineralogy, optical light microscopy, electron microprobe microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy.
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∙ 11y agowhat is the most reliable way to identify a mineral?
HARDNESS
Color, due to the effects of impurities, is the least reliable identifying mineral characteristic.
Take a slate and slide the mineral/rock on it to find its true color and its streak.
The least effective property used to identify most minerals would be the color. The color of a mineral can be altered by impurities.
A mineral specimen's color can be affected by radiation or impurities. A better method would be to use the mineral's streak, the color of the mineral in powdered form.
what is the most reliable way to identify a mineral?
HARDNESS
Hardness and streak color are very important. The color of the mineral helps some, as well.
Color, due to the effects of impurities, is the least reliable identifying mineral characteristic.
The most common mineral group contains silicate minerals.
Most methods of execution are fairly reliable and practical. However, they have inherent problems that stem from human error and political issues.
Take a slate and slide the mineral/rock on it to find its true color and its streak.
The contraceptive implant and the IUDs are the most reliable reversible methods of contraception.
feldspar : this family includes the most common and most abundant of all minerals; smooth cleavage surfaces aid in identification
There are several different methods and forms of personal identification. Driver licenses, state-issued IDs, social security cards, birth certificates, and school IDs are the most common examples.
Feldspar