Why are metals considered minerals?

[WinkOsmosis]

Why is a lump of iron a mineral? There's no crystalline structure.

 

[Nocturnal]

Osmosis my friend, osmosis.

 

[minendo]

Crystalline structure is only one of the many definitions of a mineral.

 

[godmare]

consider the root word in 'mineral'

then:

min·er·al (mnr-l) n.
1 A naturally occurring, homogeneous inorganic solid substance having a definite chemical composition and characteristic crystalline structure, color, and hardness.
2 Any of various natural substances, as:
a An element, such as gold or silver.
b An organic derivative, such as coal or petroleum.
c A substance, such as stone, sand, salt, or coal, that is extracted or obtained from the ground or water and used in economic activities.
3 A substance that is neither animal nor vegetable; inorganic matter.
4 An inorganic element, such as calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, or zinc, that is essential to the nutrition of humans, animals, and plants.
5 An ore.
minerals Chiefly British. Mineral water.

 

[minendo]

Originally posted by: Nocturnal
Osmosis my friend, osmosis.

Do you even know what osmosis is?

 

[Howard]

Metals do have a crystalline structure, don't they? Last I heard iron was a BCC structured mineral...