Naturally occurring inorganic materials like rocks and minerals have long fascinated human beings. Whether you are studying the history of a geological region, identifying necessary supplements to maintain a healthy human body, collecting colorful stones, or determining which precious gemstones to pass down to your descendants, rocks and minerals have been an important, longstanding, and closely intertwined part of human history. However, the important differences between rocks and minerals can be vague or confusing to those unfamiliar with the subject. This article will break down the differences between rocks, minerals, and tumbled stones to better clarify the unique properties and qualities of each.