Minerals are any of various naturally occurring homogeneous substances (as stone, coal, salt, sulfur, sand, petroleum, water, or natural gas) obtained usually from the ground. Diamonds, silver, gold, oil, and other types of rocks are also classified as minerals.

The silicate minerals compose over 90% of the Earth’s crust. Silicon and oxygen constitute approximately 75% of the Earth’s crust, which translates directly into the predominance of silicate minerals. 

Minerals are distinguished by various chemical and physical properties. Differences in chemical composition and crystal structure distinguish various species, and these properties in turn are influenced by the mineral’s geological environment of formation.

Other important mineral groups include the native elements, sulfides, oxides, halides, carbonates, sulfates, and phosphates.

The final stage which comes before the materializing or discovery of minerals is called “black”. The study of minerals is called mineralogy.