Which of the following represents the oldest dated Earth mineral?

The oldest dated Earth mineral is represented by the age of 4.4 billion years. This age corresponds to zircon crystals found in the Jack Hills of Western Australia. These zircons provide evidence of the early crustal formation of Earth during the Hadean eon. They are significant because they not only represent some of the oldest materials found on Earth but also give clues about the conditions on the early Earth, including the presence of water and the formation of continental crust.

In understanding the ages of other options, the age of 3.8 billion years refers to ancient rocks and minerals that form part of the Archean eon but are not as old as the zircons. The age of 4.54 billion years is generally considered the age of the Earth itself, as it represents the time of formation of the solar system. Lastly, the age of 4.6 billion years refers to the age of the oldest meteorites, which represent the solar system's formation. Thus, while these ages are all significant in Earth's history, 4.4 billion years specifically marks the oldest dated mineral, making it the correct choice.