For a rock to be considered an ore, it must:

A) contain either quartz or sulfide minerals
B) contain enough of a commodity to be mined at a profit
C) contain some copper or gold
D) be shiny or otherwise noteworthy
E) be located in a mine

Commodity

A raw material or primary agricultural product that can be bought, sold, or traded, often interchangeable with other commodities of the same type.

Quartz

A hard, crystalline mineral composed of silicon dioxide, common in many rock types and valued for its clarity and variety of colors.

Sulfide Minerals

Minerals composed of sulfur combined with a metal or semimetal, often associated with the formation of ores.