The Defining Characteristics of Minerals:
* Naturally Occurring: Formed by natural processes, not man-made.
* Inorganic: Not derived from living organisms.
* Solid: Has a definite shape and volume.
* Crystalline Structure: Atoms are arranged in a specific, repeating pattern.
* Definite Chemical Composition: A consistent chemical formula (with some exceptions).
Examples of things that are NOT minerals:
* Sugar: Organic (made by plants)
* Plastic: Man-made
* Water: Liquid (not solid)
* Glass: Amorphous (lacks a crystalline structure)
Let me know if you have a specific example you'd like me to analyze!