Natural, nonliving solids with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure are known as what?

Natural, nonliving solids with a definite chemical composition and crystalline structure are classified as minerals. Minerals are defined by their specific chemical formulas and the orderly arrangement of atoms in a crystal lattice, which gives them distinct physical properties, such as hardness, luster, and color. This systematic structure is what distinguishes minerals from other types of solid materials.

Ores, although they are also naturally occurring, specifically refer to minerals that contain economically significant amounts of metals and are mined for profit. Metals are individual elements or alloys derived from minerals but do not encompass the broader definition of minerals themselves. Fossils, on the other hand, are preserved remains or traces of living organisms and do not fit the criteria of being nonliving solids with a crystalline structure. Therefore, minerals remain the accurate classification for the type of natural, nonliving solids described in this question.