Earth's Minerals (Book)
+ How are Minerals Identified?
Other Identifying Characteristics
Minerals have other properties that can be used for identification. For example, a mineral’s shape may indicate its crystal structure. Sometimes crystals are too small to see. Then a mineralogist may use a special instrument to find the crystal structure.
Some minerals have unique properties. These can be used to the minerals. Some of these properties are listed in Table. An example of a mineral that has each property is also listed.
| Property | Description | Example of Mineral |
| Fluorescence | Mineral glows under ultraviolet light | Fluorite |
| Magnetism | Mineral is attracted to a magnet | Magnetite |
| Radioactivity | Mineral gives off radiation that can be measured with Geiger counter | Uraninite |
| Reactivity | Bubbles form when mineral is exposed to a weak acid | Calcite |
| Smell | Some minerals have a distinctive smell | Sulfur (smells like rotten eggs) |