What is an example of a mineral that is composed of a single element?

One example of a mineral composed of a single element is gold. Other single-element minerals include silver, diamonds, and copper.

Gold has an atomic number of 79 and an atomic weight of 196.97. It is classified as a metal, and its chemical symbol, Au, comes from the Latin word for gold — aurum.

Of all metals, gold is the most ductile and malleable. It is usually combined with other metals such as silver to increase its strength. Gold alloys are used to make objects including jewelry or coins. Because gold is a good conductor of electricity and heat, it is often used to make electrical connectors.