Color is not very in mineral identification because

The answer is: Although color is useful as a means of identification, it can sometimes vary depending on the site where it is absorbed by certain wavelengths, and the same mineral can have different colors depending on whether its colors they are their own or induced, for these reasons it would not be very useful to identify them by color.

Explanation:

The color of a mineral is the property that it has of absorbing certain wavelengths, if it does not absorb any it is white, if it absorbs them all it is black. The minerals can have their own colors or induced by the presence of certain chromophores elements that are in the mineral as impurities (Fe, Mn, Cu, Cr, Co, Ni).

The properties that help geologists identify a mineral in a rock are: color, hardness, brightness, crystal shapes, density and cleavage.

The answer is: Although color is useful as a means of identification, it can sometimes vary depending on the site where it is absorbed by certain wavelengths, and the same mineral can have different colors depending on whether its colors they are their own or induced, for these reasons it would not be very useful to identify them by color.

tracks, burrows, eggshells, nests, tooth marks, or gastroliths

it can be observed without changing the identity of the object.

it depends on what substance you're talking about as well as many other factors. in quantum mechanics, the observation of particles affects the observers ability to measure certain properties. for example: you can know the velocity of a particle, but you can't know it's position; or you can know it's position, but not it's velocity. it's like trying to find out where a grain of sand is by throwing other grains of sand at it. once you find out where it is, it's been moved. it's also like trying to find an answer to the question of whether or not a tree falling in a forest makes a sound if nobody is there to hear it. paradoxically, the only way to find out is to be there and hear it.