Minerals are naturally occurring substances that have a definite chemical composition. Minerals are distinct from rocks, which are too complex to characterize with a simple composition.
More or less, a rock is a collection or cluster of many minerals. Minerals are formed in different types of geological environments, under varying conditions. Minerals vary from element to element, and range from gold to water.
The variety in minerals is endless in their forms. Best fit in the broadest classification would be metallic and nonmetallic, according to their physical characteristics and chemical properties.
Minerals can be identified on the basis of their physical properties such as colour, density, hardness and chemical property such as solubility.
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