how do you find mineral group classification

Question

astrophysics · Answer

Well there are various methods, when I took some geology we classified minerals in the following ways:
- Subdivided based on their chemical compositions
(Silicates, carbonates, etc.)
This is usually called the diagnostic property as every mineral has a distinct physical property, determined by it's chemistry.
Using a specific kit then we had to figure it out based on:
- Luster (overall appearance of a mineral)
- Hardness (Scratchability)
- Cleavage (Tendancy for a mineral to break along planes of atomic weakness)..not the other one haha ;).
- Streak (the color of a powdered mineral)
- Color (don't mix this up with streak, as this one isn't really reliable)

This is usually some of the ways to help group minerals.