Minerals are natural compounds found in the earth’s crust. These can be pure elements, simple salts or complex silicates in many forms. The study of minerals is called mineralogy. A true mineral is solid with a crystal structure. It is a naturally occurring, inorganic, homogeneous substance with a definite chemical composition. The chemical composition varies from one mineral to another. Chemical tests and x-rays are needed to identify a mineral absolutely. These tests determine the composition and structure of a mineral respectively.

The composition and structure of a mineral not only form its identification but also affect certain physical properties, which help in identifying them.

Minerals are usually made of eight elements that are found in the earth’s crust. They are oxygen, silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium. Some properties of minerals, which are useful for identification, are color, luster, transparency, cleavage, hardness, florescence, phosphorescence, magnetism, odor, solubility and radioactivity. On the basis of their chemical composition, minerals are classified as silicates, carbonates, sulphates, halides, oxide, sulphide, phosphate, elemental, organic and mineraloids. Gems are also minerals. Some examples are opal, amber, emerald, and amethyst. Most gems are a combination of two or more elements. Diamond is the only gem that is made of a single element, carbon.

Minerals are needed and used in most day-to-day activities. Most of the things around us have minerals in some form or another within them. The human body requires minerals to function properly. They are needed for body functions like building strong bones, transmitting nerve signals and maintaining a normal heartbeat. They are also used to produce hormones in the body.

Today, minerals are being used to produce cosmetics called bare minerals. These cosmetics use pure minerals and hence, are completely safe to use. The use of minerals is widespread. Whether needed for building a healthy body or for cosmetic purposes, they are a vital and indispensable part of our daily life.