What are called minerals?
A mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic solid, with a definite chemical composition, and an ordered atomic arrangement. This may seem a bit of a mouthful, but if you break it down it becomes simpler. Minerals are naturally occurring. They are not made by humans. Minerals are inorganic.

Different Types of Minerals

• Minerals are classified based on their crystal form and chemistry. Minerals are divided into two types namely metallic and non-metallic.
  
• More than 4,000 naturally occurring minerals-inorganic solids that have a characteristic chemical composition and specific crystal structure-have been found on Earth.
• The five most common mineral groups in rock are the silicates, carbonates, sulfates, halides, and oxides. There are about 4000 known minerals in the Earth's crust, and about 92 % of them are silicates.
• The most abundant silicate is called plagioclase.

Identification based on the various physical properties of minerals are as follows

• Form
• Colour
• Streak
• Luster
• Fracture
• Cleavage
• Hardness
• Specific Gravity (Density)
• Degree of Transparency
• Special Properties