Minerals Explained — Crystal Structure, Mineral Classification, and Gem Formation | Chapter 5 from Earth: Portrait of a Planet
Minerals Explained — Crystal Structure, Mineral Classification, and Gem Formation | Chapter 5 from Earth: Portrait of a Planet What are minerals, and why do they matter? In Chapter 5 of Earth: Portrait of a Planet by Stephen Marshak, we uncover the essential building blocks of Earth’s crust, delving into the science of minerals—their structures, identification, and transformation into gems. For a complete podcast summary, watch the YouTube video , or read below for a detailed educational breakdown. What Is a Mineral? Defining the Basics A mineral is a naturally occurring, solid, inorganic, crystalline substance with a specific chemical composition formed by geologic processes. Minerals are distinct from glasses (which lack ordered structure) and from substances produced by living organisms. How Minerals Form and Are Destroyed Minerals can form through various geologic processes, including: Solidification of a melt: As magma or lava cools, crystals grow. Precipitat...