Nonmineral

A nonmineral (mineralogy) is a substance found in a natural environment that does not satisfy the definition of a mineral and is not even a mineraloid. Many nonminerals are mined and have industrial or other uses similar to minerals, such as jewelry.

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Mineral definition

To be classified as a "true" mineral, a substance must be a solid arising from geological processes having a crystal structure. It must also be an inorganic, naturally-occurring, homogeneous substance with a defined chemical composition.

Common Nonminerals

• Allingite, another name for amber.
• Amber, organic, non-crystal structure.
• Anthracite, a variety of coal, "hard coal."
• Beckerite, another name for amber.
• Burmite, another name for amber.
• Coal, organic, nonhomogeneous, and non-crystal structure.
• Coprolite, fossilized feces, a fossil of organic origin.
• Coquina, nonhomogeneous, non-crystal limestone formed from marine shells and coral.
• Gedanite, another name for amber.
• Glessite, another name for amber.
• Jet, not considered a true mineral due to organic, non-crystal nature, a mineraloid.
• Krantzite, another name for amber.
• Lignite, a variety of coal, "Brown coal."
• Limonite, amorphous hydrated iron oxide, a mineraloid.
• Obsidian, usually not considered a mineral due to non-crystal structure.
• Opal, non-crystal structure, a mineraloid.
• Pearl, often considered a mineral due to crystal components, but then not a mineral due to organic origin, probably should be a mineraloid.
• Petroleum, organic and liquid.
• Rocks, most rocks are mixtures of minerals, but a few are composed of just one mineral.
• pyrobitumen, organic, nonhomogeous, non-crystal structure.
• Stantienite, another name for amber.
• Synthetic diamond, not naturally occurring like most other synthetic gems, but difficult to distinguish from naturally occurring forms.
• Vulcanite, vulcanized natural or synthetic rubber, thus not a mineral due to organic composition, lack of crystal structure, and not naturally occurring.
• Water, a liquid (but naturally occurring ice is a mineral).

Other considerations

Some minerals, such as the well-known Apatite and Mica, are not homogeneous substances, but are a mixture of related minerals, sometimes referred to as a mineral group.

See also

• List of minerals
• A comprehensive list of minerals