The "feel" of a mineral can sometimes help identify it. Some minerals are greasy to the touch, others are smooth, and others have a rough feel. Diamond, which absorbs heat better than any substance, has a unique, cold feel at room temperature. Some specimens of a particular mineral may have a rough feel since they are composed of tiny, protruding crystals, while other specimens of the same mineral have a smooth texture. Therefore, a rough feel is not necessarily an identification factor. A greasy and smooth feel, however, are inherent to all specimens of the same mineral. Fibrous minerals have a distinct, silky feel.

• Mineral Properties
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