Happy 40th birthday to this lucky, lucky guy. The question on my husband's birthday is always: What do you get for the man who has nothing? My husband isn't a shopper; he buys food and, lately, diapers. He recently declared that he has enough pants to last the rest of his life.
What is Gold? Native gold is an element and a mineral. It is highly prized by people because of its attractive color, resistance to tarnish, and its many special properties - some of which are unique to gold. Its rarity, usefulness, and desirability make it command a high price.
A mineral is a crystalline solid formed through natural processes. A mineral can be an element or a compound, but it has a specific chemical composition and physical properties that are different from those of other minerals. Silver, tungsten, halite, and quartz are all examples of minerals. One mineral contains the elements zinc, carbon, and oxygen. 2  The other mineral contains the elements zinc, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. 3  Your friend tells you that the minerals are in the same mineral group.