Streak

Identifying Minerals

Hardness

Color

Streak

Luster

Density

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How is the streak of a mineral determined ?

The streak of a mineral can be observed by rubbing a mineral against a piece of unglazed tile called a streak plate. The streak of a mineral is the color of its powder. The streak color of a mineral never varies, unlike color. Due to this, streak color is a much more reliable diagnostic property than color.

 

http://geology.csupomona.edu/alert/mineral/streak.jpg