what does the mineral name tell us
Amethyst, a variety of quartz. A mineral is a naturally occurring chemical compound, usually of crystalline form and abiogenic in origin. A mineral has one specific chemical composition, whereas a rock can be an aggregate of different minerals or mineraloids. The study of minerals is called mineralogy.
1 We can tell different minerals apart by what crystal shape they are. 2  Sometimes minerals form in spaces where there is not a lot of room, so they don't have a crystal shape. 3  When there is just a big hunk of a mineral, it is called a massive mineral. Most of the earth's crystals were formed millions of years ago. 2  Crystals form when the liquid rock from inside the earth cool and harden. 3  Sometimes crystals form when liquids underground find their way into cracks and slowly deposit minerals.