Collection: ORGANIC SUBSTANCES

An organic mineral refers to an organic compound that has taken on a mineral form. Generally, an organic compound is defined as any compound that includes carbon, excluding a few simple compounds identified prior to 1828. Organic minerals can be categorized into three main types: hydrocarbons, which consist solely of hydrogen and carbon; salts derived from organic acids; and a miscellaneous group. These minerals are quite uncommon and typically found in unique environments, such as fossilized cacti and bat guano. Research by mineralogists suggests that there may be more undiscovered species of organic minerals than those currently identified.