Minerals have five key characteristics that determine if a rock is classified as a mineral: 1) they are solid, 2) they are formed through inorganic processes, 3) they occur naturally, 4) they have a definite chemical composition, and 5) they have a definite crystalline structure. For a rock to be considered a mineral, it must meet at least three of these five characteristics, as some minerals do not exhibit all characteristics.

1. Explaining the five characteristics of a
mineral

2. Minerals are very important in our lives.
They can be used for energy, trade, and
many other things.

3.  There are five characteristics of minerals.
They determine whether a rock is a mineral
or solid. The different types are:
 Solid
 Formed by inorganic processes
 Naturally occurring
 Definite chemical composition
 Definite crystalline structure
 If a rock has at least three of these
characteristics then it is a mineral because
some of these minerals don’t have the exact
same characteristics.

4.  A solid has to have a definite volume or shape
although, all rocks have a solid shape. In rocks and
minerals, particles are packed tightly. Unlike a
liquid, a solid object does not flow to take on the
shape of its container, nor does it expand to fill the
entire volume available to it like a gas does.

5.  For a rock to be a mineral, it must form from
non-living materials. The rock cannot come
from something that is, or was living.

6.  Naturally occurring minerals were not formed
from factories or anything.

7.  When a mineral is made of the same material
throughout. Basically, made of the same
thing, like lava or ice or one item. This mineral
has one of these three materials in rocks.

8.  Has crystals inside or outside. One example is
a geode that has crystals inside.