Understanding Minerals: Definition and Characteristics Minerals are essential components of our environment, found in rocks, soils for agriculture, jewelry, and even cosmetics. A mineral is defined as a solid substance made up of consistent atoms—in the case of quartz, silicon and oxygen—arranged in a crystal structure. They must occur naturally on Earth without human intervention and be inorganic substances formed through geological processes.
Identifying Minerals: Diversity & Everyday Presence Different minerals exhibit unique colors and crystal shapes due to their specific atomic compositions; for instance, pyrite consists of iron and sulfur while beryl has a hexagonal shape. All identified specimens originate from natural sources worldwide but not all organic materials qualify as minerals—for example amber is fossilized tree sap from plants. Recognizing these characteristics allows us to appreciate the prevalence of minerals in everyday life beyond just sunlight or air.