Minerals form in many ways. One way is from hot water solutions and other salt water solutions. When the water evaporates it leaves behind the salt. However, at the moment it’s a type of mineral called Halite. Sometimes there may be other minerals, too. After processing the halite becomes salt. Another way is due to heat and pressure. Deep in Earth’s crust, where there is intense heat and pressure, due to the heat and pressure mineral crystals slowly form. They eventually form a mineral. FORMATION!

You can identify minerals by many factors. They must be inorganic, not made from living things. They also must be naturally forming. Which means it can’t be man made and must be made from forces of the Earth. Last but not least it must have a crystalline structure. That means it has its own pattern of atoms that keep repeating.

Minerals are usually found deep underground because some form there. They can be found near areas where there used to be bodies of salt water. LOCATION!

Minerals are used in many ways. Some are: 1.Bread, Crackers, Cookies, and Cake - Quartz, Hematite, Trona, Halite, and Rutile. 2.Peanut butter and Ketchup - Halite and Quartz. 3.Wine, dried fruits, and cold fruits - Quartz, Diatomite, Niter, Halite, and Sulfur. Minerals are also very important because some are rare and valuable.

There are many types of minerals: One type is Silicates. Silicates are minerals formed from the two elements silicon and oxygen. There are different classes of silicates. One class of silicates is Zeolites. Zeolites are unique and beautiful silicates with special physical properties. They are found in cavities in cooled lava. A TYPE of MINERALS!