The two major categories of properties used to describe and identify minerals are chemical properties and physical properties.Chemical properties Defines a mineral's composition and internal structure, including the types and proportions of elements it contains. The crystal structure, which is the ordered arrangement of atoms, significantly influences a mineral's characteristics.Physical propertiesObservable or measurable characteristics that help identify a mineral without changing its chemical makeup, like color and hardness. These properties also include luster, streak, cleavage/fracture, density, and crystal form, which are crucial for identification.