What is not a good identifier for identifying a mineral?colorstreakcleavage and fractureluster

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the purpose of each mineral identifier listed.
2. Evaluate which identifier may not reliably indicate a mineral's identity.

Relevant Concepts

3. Color: The appearance of the mineral, though some minerals can be similar in color.
4. Streak: The color of the powder left when the mineral is scraped against a hard surface, usually more reliable than color.
5. Cleavage and Fracture: The way a mineral breaks, which can be characteristic of specific minerals.
6. Luster: The way a mineral reflects light, which can vary among different samples of the same mineral.

Analysis and Detail

7. Color and its Limitations: Many minerals can appear in various colors due to impurities; thus, using color alone can lead to misidentification.
8. Streak and Reliability: Streak provides a more consistent basis for identification since it is less affected by impurities.
9. Cleavage and Fracture: Provides information about the atomic structure and is usually distinctive among mineral types.
10. Luster: While informative, it can also be subjective and vary depending on the sample.

Verify and Summarize

11. Based on the above discussions, color is highly variable and can be misleading. While all identifiers have their uses, color is not a reliable standalone identifier.

Final Answer

Color is not a good identifier for identifying a mineral because it can vary significantly due to impurities and environmental factors, making it less reliable compared to streak, cleavage, fracture, and luster.