Minerals can not be grown. Minerals are mined. Minerals are an energy source. Any naturally occurring inorganic substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness. There are approximately 4000 varieties of minerals which can be classified into one of eight major mineral classes similar to how biologists classify living organisms into groups such as plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria.
Mineral Classification
Minerals, however, are classified into groups by their composition and crystal structure. Ninety five percent of the rocks found in Earth’s crust contain minerals known as silicates. Silicates are the most abundant minerals and make up about 25% of all known minerals. The structure of all silicates is based on a silicon atom surrounded by four oxygen atoms. Silicates can be further classified into six subclasses differentiated by their structure. Common silicates include quartz, feldspars, pyroxene and olivine.
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