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a naturally formed, inorganic solid that has a definite crystalline structure
mineral
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a substance that cannot be separated or broken down into simpler substances by chemical means
element
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a substance made up of atoms of two or more different elements joined by chemical bonds
compound
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a solid whose atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a definite pattern
crystal
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a mineral that contains a combination of silicon, oxygen, and one or more metals
silicate mineral
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a mineral that does not contain compounds of silicon and oxygen
nonsilicate mineral
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the way in which a mineral reflects light
luster
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the color of the powder of a mineral
streak
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the splitting of a mineral along smooth, flat surfaces
cleavage
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the manner in which a mineral breaks along either curved or irregular surfaces
fracture
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a measure of the ability of a mineral to resist scratching
hardness
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the ratio of the mass of a substance to the volume of the substance
density
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a natural material whose concentration of economically valuable minerals is high enough for the material to be mined profitably
ore
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the process of returning land to its original condition after mining is completed
reclamation
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