A mineral is defined by geologists as naturally occurring, generally inorganic, solid substances, with an orderly crystalline structure, and a definite chemical composition that allows for some variation. The following are examples of materials and whether or not they fit the definition of a mineral. Window glass is a non-crystalline solid that is synthetically created from silica, generally used for its optical transparency. Glass is an inorganic solid with a definite chemical composition. Window glass is not considered a mineral, by definition, because it is not naturally occurring and it is non-crystalline. Emerald is a crystalline substance that is mined from naturally occurring igneous and metamorphic rock, generally used in jewelry because of its unique optical
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Water is a naturally occurring, inorganic compound, which covers nearly 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, making up the hydrosphere. While water has a definite chemical composition of H2O, it does not have an orderly crystalline structure and is not solid in its liquid form. In its solid form, on the other hand, H2O is called ice, which gains the solid crystalline structure that H20 lacks in its liquid form. Because of this difference in state, water cannot be defined as a mineral, while ice meets all of the geological requirements to be considered a mineral. Synthetic opal, by definition, is not naturally occurring, and therefore cannot be defined as a mineral without any further examination. Wood is an organic solid that is produced by trees that make up the biosphere. Wood cannot be considered a mineral due to its organic state, unless it was to be buried and added to the rock record (e.g., petrified wood, in which the organic wood is fossilized and organic tissue is replaced by minerals). Amber is an organic compound derived from tree resin after it has been fossilized and has been added to the rock record, therefore meeting part of the definition of a mineral despite
Water is a naturally occurring, inorganic compound, which covers nearly 71 percent of the Earth’s surface, making up the hydrosphere. While water has a definite chemical composition of H2O, it does not have an orderly crystalline structure and is not solid in its liquid form. In its solid form, on the other hand, H2O is called ice, which gains the solid crystalline structure that H20 lacks in its liquid form. Because of this difference in state, water cannot be defined as a mineral, while ice meets all of the geological requirements to be considered a mineral. Synthetic opal, by definition, is not naturally occurring, and therefore cannot be defined as a mineral without any further examination. Wood is an organic solid that is produced by trees that make up the biosphere. Wood cannot be considered a mineral due to its organic state, unless it was to be buried and added to the rock record (e.g., petrified wood, in which the organic wood is fossilized and organic tissue is replaced by minerals). Amber is an organic compound derived from tree resin after it has been fossilized and has been added to the rock record, therefore meeting part of the definition of a mineral despite