A nonmineral in mineralogy is a substance found in nature that does not satisfy the definition of a mineral nor of a mineraloid. Many nonminerals are mined and have industrial or other uses similar to minerals, such as jewelry. Mineral definition To be classified as a "true" mineral, a substance must be a solid, arising from geological processes, and having a crystal structure. Traditionally, it must also be an inorganic, naturally occurring, homogeneous substance with a defined chemical composition, but now organically derived substances that have been transformed into a crystalline structure are minerals. Common Nonminerals *Amber, organic, non-crystal structure. *Anthracite, a variety of coal, "hard coal." *Bitumen, a natural mixture of organic molecules forming a viscous liquid. *Coal, organic, non-homogeneous, and non-crystal structure. *Coprolite, fossilized feces, a fossil of organic origin. *Coquina, non-homogeneous, non-crystal limestone formed from marine shells and coral. *Gilsonite, natural asphalt. *Glass, non-crystalline substance of varying chemical composition. *Kerogen, a natural organic precursor to petroleum and natural gas. *Lignite, a variety of coal, "brown coal." *Mercury, a liquid at normal temperatures, but often classified as a mineral . *Obsidian, usually not considered a mineral due to non-crystal structure. *Petroleum, organic and liquid. *Most rocks are mixtures of minerals, but some are composed of just one mineral. *Pyrobitumen, an organic, nonhomogeneous, non-crystal structure. *Saussurite, an aggregate of minerals. *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 apatite and mica, are not homogeneous substances, but a mixture of minerals, sometimes referred to as a mineral group.
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