What is a naturally occurring, inorganic substance with a characteristic chemical composition called?

A naturally occurring, inorganic substance with a characteristic chemical composition is referred to as a mineral. Minerals have specific physical properties such as hardness, luster, and crystal form, which help in their identification. They are formed through geological processes and can be found in various forms throughout the Earth. Each mineral is defined by its unique arrangement of atoms and its chemical makeup, which distinguishes it from other minerals.

Elements, while they can be found in minerals as building blocks, refer to pure substances made of only one type of atom. Compounds consist of two or more elements that are chemically bonded together, which may also occur in certain minerals but do not define what a mineral is. Crystals refer to the solid form of minerals where atoms are arranged in an orderly repeating pattern, but not all minerals necessarily form crystals. Therefore, mineral is the correct term that encompasses the definition provided.