Rock-Forming Mineral

{
  "id": "MLC-T-ENV-024477",
  "term": "Rock-Forming Mineral",
  "field": "Environment",
  "definition": "1. Any naturally occurring inorganic substance found in the earth's crust as a crystalline solid.\n\n2. A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element or compound having an orderly internal structure and characteristic chemical composition, crystal morphology and physical properties such as density and hardness. Minerals are the fundamental units from which most rocks are made.\n\n3. In a broad nontechnical sense, the term embraces all inorganic and organic substances that are extracted from the earth for use by man. A substance occurring in nature which has a definite or characteristic range of chemical composition, and distinctive physical properties or molecular structure. With few exceptions, such as opal and mercury, minerals are crystalline solids.\n\n4. A naturally occurring chemical compound or limited mixture of chemical compounds. Minerals generally form crystals and have specific physical and chemical properties which can be used to identify them.",
  "references": [
    "Greenhouse Emissions Glossary",
    "USGS Volcano Hazards Program Photo Glossary",
    "IRS Coal Excise Tax - Appendix I, Glossary of Mining Terms",
    "USGS Geology in the Parks Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/environment/rock-forming-mineral/"
}