Happy 40th birthday to this lucky, lucky guy. The question on my husband's birthday is always: What do you get for the man who has nothing? My husband isn't a shopper; he buys food and, lately, diapers. He recently declared that he has enough pants to last the rest of his life.
What is Gold? Native gold is an element and a mineral. It is highly prized by people because of its attractive color, resistance to tarnish, and its many special properties - some of which are unique to gold. Its rarity, usefulness, and desirability make it command a high price.
Native elements are minerals that contain only atoms of one type of element. The elements are not combined with other elements. In nature most elements are combined with other elements to form chemical compounds. So, the native elements mineral group contains a relatively small number of minerals. One mineral contains the elements zinc, carbon, and oxygen. 2  The other mineral contains the elements zinc, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. 3  Your friend tells you that the minerals are in the same mineral group.