What are minerals?

Minerals are inorganic (or non-living) solids that are found in nature. They can be made from a variety of elements such as silicon, oxygen, carbon and iron. Rocks are formed from single minerals or a combination of minerals. For example, three of the minerals that make up the rock granite are feldspar, mica and quartz. The rock basalt includes three minerals olivine, feldspar and pyroxene.

For more information on minerals follow the links below to find out more on:

• Geology, including the history and structure of the earth, how rocks are formed, weathering and erosion
• Minerals, and the different types such as rock-forming, crystals, gems and vein (ore) minerals
• Rocks, including the different types such as igneous, sedimentary, pyroclastic (volcanic) and metamorphic
• The uses of minerals, including for building materials, tools, and pigments
• The people that have made an impact in minerals and mining because of their inventions or discoveries

More details can be found at the School of Geography, Earth & Environment Sciences at Birmingham University, which looks after the Lapworth Museum of Geology.