Rock is any two or more minerals bonded together, while a mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element. Crystal refers to the structure of a mineral, and there are many different kinds of crystalline structures. Mineral can be part of a rock, and a crystal can be a mineral, but the terms are not synonymous.
<u>A rock is any two or more minerals bonded together, while a mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic element. A crystal refers to the structure of a mineral, and there are many different kinds of crystalline structures. A mineral can be part of a rock, and a crystal can be a mineral, but the terms are not synonymous.</u>
