Tag: Minerals

Agate is a cryptocrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found...

Agate is a cryptocrystalline variety of silica, chiefly chalcedony, characterised by its fineness of grain and brightness of color. Although agates may be found...

Formula: Cu2CO3(OH)2 System: Monoclinic Colour: Bright green, with ... Lustre: Adamantine, Vitreous, Silky, Dull, Earthy Hardness: 3½ - 4 Name: Named in antiquity (see Pliny the Elder, 79 CE)...

Researchers at the University of Bristol have discovered new insights into previously hidden parts of the earth's carbon cycle. The team found that carbon...

A 1,111 carat "high quality diamond" has been discovered at a mine in Botswana, said to be the biggest find in more than a...

What are Rare earth elements? A rare earth element (REE) or rare earth metal (REM), as defined by IUPAC, is one of a set of...

Chemical Formula: Pt Locality: Most notably from the Urals, Russia and Brazil. Name Origin: Spanish, platina = "silver."   Platinum is a chemical element with the chemical symbol...

Chemical Formula: Au Locality: Sierra Nevada Mountains, Nome, Alaska and many other places in the world. Name Origin: Anglo Saxon, of uncertain origin. Gold is a chemical...

Chemical Formula: C Locality: Kimberly, republic of South Africa. India. Brazil. Ural Mountains, Russia. Murfreesboro, Arkansas, USA. Name Origin: From the Greek, adamas, meaning "invincible" or...

Chemical Formula: Al2(Si4O10)(OH)2 Locality: Tres Cerritos, California, USA; Pyschminsk and Beresovsk, Ural Mountains, Russia. Name Origin: From the Greek for fie and leaf, in allusion to...

Chemical Formula: Mg3Al2(SiO4)3 Locality: Zoblitz, Germany. Name Origin: From the Greek, pyropos, "fiery-eyed" in allusion to the red hue. The mineral pyrope is a member of the...

Chemical Formula: Pb5(PO4)3Cl Name Origin: From the Greek pyr - "fire" and morfe - "form" in allusion the recrystallization reaction of the molten mineral. Pyromorphite is...

Chemical Formula: MnO2 Name Origin: From the Greek, pyro and louein, "fire" and "to wash," because it was used to remove the greenish color imparted...

Chemical Formula: Mn(OH)2 Locality: Vermland at Pajsberg near Persberg, Sweden. Name Origin: Named from the Greek, puro, "fire" and khroma, "color", because of the change in...

Chemical Formula: Mg6Fe3+2(OH)16·4H2O Locality: Langbanshyttan, Sweden. Name Origin: From the Greek, pyro and the Latin aurium, "fire" and "golden" because of the gold-like submetallic scales present...

Chemical Formula: FeS2 Locality: Common world wide. Name Origin: From the Greek, pyrites lithos, "stone which strikes fire," in allusion to the sparking produced when iron...

Chemical Formula: Ag3SbS3 Locality: Fresnillo, Zacatecas, and Guanajuato, Mexico and other silver districts in the world. Name Origin: From the Greek, pyr and argyros, "fire-silver" in...

Chemical Formula: Cu5(PO4)2(OH)4 Locality: Virneberg Mine, Rheinbreitbach, Westerwald, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Name Origin: From the Greek, pseudo - "false" and malachite. Pseudomalachite is a phosphate of copper with...

Formula: Fe2TiO5 Environment:  Magmatic, post-volcanic or young volcanic rocks. Locality: Vesuvius and Etna, Italy. Name Origin: From the Greek pseudo - "I mislead" and the mineral brookite. History Authors...

Chemical Formula: Ag3AsS3 Locality: Himmelsfurst mine, Erbisdor, near Freiberg, Germany Name Origin: After the French chemist, J. L. Proust (1755-1826). Proustite is a sulfosalt mineral consisting of;...