Most chemical elements are locked in compounds, but nineteen exist as pure minerals.

Nature · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Of the ninety chemical elements found in nature, only a tiny fraction appear in their uncombined, elemental form. These rare native elements defy simple categorization, appearing in diverse geological environments from igneous rocks to meteorites. Understanding these substances reveals the complex, often surprising ways elements manifest within our planet.

Native elements are defined as chemical elements that occur in nature without being combined with other elements. While the vast majority of the ninety elements found in nature are bound into complex mineral structures, only nineteen are known to exist as native minerals. These are broadly classified into three groups: metals, semimetals, and nonmetals. Metals such as gold, silver, and copper are perhaps the most familiar, often serving as the primary ores for their respective elements.

The structural characteristics of these minerals vary significantly. Metals typically exhibit simple cubic or hexagonal close-packed structures, whereas semimetals and nonmetals possess far more complex arrangements. Some elements, like carbon, demonstrate polymorphism, meaning they can manifest in different structural forms depending on the specific physicochemical conditions during their formation. This variability makes it nearly impossible to establish universal rules for where these elements might be found, as they appear across all types of geological formations.

The origin of these minerals can be as exotic as their structures. Native iron, known as kamacite, is a primary component of iron meteorites, particularly those classified as hexahedrites and octahedrites. While terrestrial native iron is exceptionally rare, it has been discovered in igneous basalts, carbonaceous sedimentary rocks, and even petrified wood. Because these elements form under such contrasting conditions, they remain a subject of ongoing geological study, illustrating the immense diversity of mineralogy on Earth and beyond.

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