What Are Minerals?
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Quartz is one of the most common minerals on Earth. Amethyst is a kind of quartz that has a purple color.
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Thousands of different minerals are found on Earth. This purple mineral is called amethyst and is used to make jewelry.

Minerals are inorganic compounds that can be found in nature. They are solids that have a crystal structure. Crystal structure means the way in which the smallest parts of the mineral are held together. Minerals may be made up of one element or of many elements. Minerals make up the rocks that you see around you every day.