How are minerals useful?
Minerals, because they have consistent compositions and properties, are used widely by humans and other life forms. Because of a tight and strong internal arrangement of carbon atoms, diamond is hard as well as brilliant an sparkling in light; it is used in cutting tools and as our most precious gemstone. In graphite, the same carbon atoms are loose and arranged in sheets, providing a soft material useful as a lubricant and writing material. Early in human history, we found uses for carbon and other materials with very different properties. Our search for uses of natural Earth materials continues and now is focused on developing imaginative new composites by combining several raw materials through heating, chemical, and other processes.
