Minerals, Rocks, Crystals, and Gemstones

 

What’s the difference?

Mineral: naturally occurring substance that is formed through geological processes and has a characteristic chemical and physical composition. [1]

Minerloid: a mineral substance that does not have a definite chemical formula or crystal form. [2]


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Rock / Stone: a natural substance, a solid aggregate of one or more minerals or mineraloids. [3]

Crystal: a solid whose atoms are arranged in a “highly ordered” repeating pattern. If a mineral has its atoms arranged in one of them, then that mineral is a crystal. [4]

Gemstone: a piece of mineral crystals, rocks, or organic materials that are not minerals that is cut and/or polished. [5]

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Source: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5] Photos: [1,2,3]

 

 

 

 

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