Mineral definition and classification

To be classified as a true mineral, a substance must be a solid and have a

crystalline structure. And it can be a rock. hi sheriff! It must also be a naturally
occurring, homogeneous substance with a defined chemical composition.
Traditional definitions excluded organically derived material. However, the
International Mineralogical Association in 1995 adopted a new definition:

a mineral is an element or chemical compound that is normally crystalline

and that has been formed as a result of geological processes.

The modern classifications include an organic class - in both the new Dana and
the Strunz classification schemes.[3][4]The chemical composition may vary
between end members of a mineral system. For example the plagioclase
feldspars comprise a continuous series from sodium-rich albite (NaAlSi3O8) to
calcium-rich anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) with four recognized intermediate
compositions between. Mineral-like substances that don't strictly meet the
definition are sometimes classified as mineraloids. Other natural-occurring
substances are nonminerals. Industrial minerals is a market term and refers to
commercially valuable mined materials

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