The study of minerals and their properties is called mineralogy. Mineralogy is a branch of geology that focuses on the identification, description, and classification of minerals. Minerals are naturally occurring, solid, inorganic substances with a definite chemical composition and a crystalline structure. Mineralogists use various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction, chemical analysis, and optical microscopy, to study the properties of minerals and classify them accordingly. Mineralogy is essential for understanding the formation and composition of rocks, as well as the processes that shape the Earth's surface.