I. Class of Minerals
Native Elements
A small number of elements occur in nature in their native form because most tend to form compounds. Native elements can form under various physicochemical conditions and can be associated with different types of rocks.
They include metals, which are made up of dense arrangements of atoms connected by metallic bonds and share many common properties (metallic luster, high density, good thermal and electrical conductivity), metalloids that are brittle, cannot be hammered, have metallic luster, and good malleability, as well as nonmetals (sulfur, graphite, and diamond), which differ significantly from each other.
They include metals, which are made up of dense arrangements of atoms connected by metallic bonds and share many common properties (metallic luster, high density, good thermal and electrical conductivity), metalloids that are brittle, cannot be hammered, have metallic luster, and good malleability, as well as nonmetals (sulfur, graphite, and diamond), which differ significantly from each other.
