Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solid substances with a defined chemical composition and crystal structure. These elements or compounds make up the Earth’s crust and are the building blocks of rocks. Minerals have a wide range of physical and chemical properties that distinguish them from one another.

Here are some key characteristics of minerals:

Naturally Occurring: Minerals are formed through geological processes, either by cooling and solidification of molten rock (igneous), precipitation from a solution (sedimentary), or alteration of existing minerals (metamorphic). They are not synthetic or man-made.

Inorganic: Minerals are not produced by living organisms. While some organic substances like coal and certain types of pearls are derived from living organisms, they are not considered minerals.

Solid: Minerals are typically solid at normal temperatures and pressures, although exceptions exist, such as mercury, which is a liquid at room temperature.

Chemical Composition: Each mineral has a specific chemical composition, meaning it is composed of specific elements in fixed proportions. For example, quartz is composed of silicon and oxygen (SiO2), and calcite is composed of calcium, carbon, and oxygen (CaCO3).

Ordered Internal Structure (Crystal Structure): Minerals have an ordered arrangement of atoms or ions in a repeating pattern, forming a crystal lattice. This internal structure gives minerals their characteristic shapes and physical properties.

Physical Properties: Minerals exhibit various physical properties that can be used for identification, such as hardness, cleavage, fracture, color, streak, luster, and density.

There are thousands of known minerals, and they can be classified into several groups based on their composition and properties. Common mineral examples include quartz, feldspar, mica, calcite, and magnetite.

Minerals play a crucial role in geology, industry, and everyday life, serving as raw materials for construction, manufacturing, and providing essential elements for living organisms.

Below are links to some of our mineral articles:

Calcium
Chromium
Cobalt
Colloidal Silver
Copper
Iodine
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Molybdenum
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Silicon
Zinc