"pertaining to the attributes of hot, dry, smoky, and highly combustible ('potentially like fire'). Aristotle's metaphysical theory from times of antiquity had wide-ranging influence on similar theory found in later medieval Europe, as the historian Berthelot notes: ""The theory of exhalations was the point of departure for later ideas on the generation of metals in the earth, which we meet with Proclus, and which reigned throughout the middle ages."" Ancient Greek terminology of minerals has also stuck through the ages with widespread usage in modern times. For example, the Greek word asbestos (meaning 'inextinguishable', or 'unquenchable'), for the unusual mineral"
"Euclase Euclase is a beryllium aluminium hydroxide silicate mineral (BeAlSiO(OH)). It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system and is typically massive to fibrous as well as in slender prismatic crystals. It is related to beryl (BeAlSiO) and other beryllium minerals. It is a product of the decomposition of beryl in pegmatites. Euclase crystals are noted for their blue color, ranging from very pale to dark blue. The mineral may also be colorless, white, or light green. Cleavage is perfect, parallel to the clinopinacoid, and this suggested to René Just Haüy the name euclase, from the Greek , easily, and ,"
"Langgan Langgan 琅玕 is the ancient Chinese name of a gemstone which remains an enigma in the history of mineralogy; it has been identified, variously, as blue-green malachite, blue coral, white coral, whitish chalcedony, red spinel, and red jade. It is also the name of a mythological ""langgan"" tree of immortality found in the western paradise of Kunlun Mountain, and the name of the classic ""waidan"" alchemical elixir of immortality ""langgan huadan"" 琅玕華丹 ""Elixir Efflorescence of Langgan"". The Chinese characters 琅 and 玕 used to write the gemstone name ""lánggān"" are classified as radical-phonetic characters that combine the semantically significant"
"not found as a mineral. The most common naturally occurring minerals are the very insoluble barium sulfate, BaSO (barite), and barium carbonate, BaCO(witherite). Barium's name originates from Greek ""barys"" (βαρύς), meaning ""heavy"", describing the high density of some common barium-containing ores. Barium has few industrial applications, but the metal has been historically used to scavenge air in vacuum tubes. Barium compounds impart a green color to flames and have been used in fireworks. Barium sulfate is used for its density, insolubility, and X-ray opacity. It is used as an insoluble heavy additive to oil well drilling mud, and in purer"
"used chiefly as a source of yttrium and heavy lanthanide metals (dysprosium, ytterbium, erbium and gadolinium). Occasionally, gemstones are also cut from the finer xenotime crystals. The name ""xenotime"" is from the Greek words κενός ""vain"" and τιμή ""honor"", akin to ""vainglory"". It was coined by French mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant as a rebuke of another scientist, Swedish chemist Jöns Jacob Berzelius, for the latter's premature claim to have found in the mineral a new chemical element (later understood to be previously discovered yttrium). The criticism was blunted, as over time ""kenotime"" was misread and misprinted ""xenotime"". Xenotime was first"
"Leucophoenicite Leucophoenicite is a mineral with formula Mn(SiO)(OH). Generally brown to red or pink in color, the mineral gets its name from the Greek words meaning ""pale purple-red"". Leucophoenicite was discovered in New Jersey, US and identified as a new mineral in 1899. Leucophoenicite is normally brown, light purple-red, raspberry-red or pink in color; in thin section it is rose-red to colorless. The name is derived from the Greek words ""leukos"", meaning ""pale"", and ""foinis"", meaning ""purple-red"", in reference to its common coloring. Leucophoenicite typically occurs as isolated grains or it has granular massive habit. Crystals of the mineral, which"
"often enhanced by dyeing or heating. The name ""chalcedony"" comes from the Latin ""chalcedonius"" (alternatively spelled ""calchedonius""). The name appears in Pliny the Elder's ""Naturalis Historia"" as a term for a translucid kind of Jaspis. The name is probably derived from the town Chalcedon in Asia Minor. The Greek word ""khalkedon"" (χαλκηδών) also appears in the Book of Revelation (Apc 21,19). It is a hapax legomenon found nowhere else, so it is hard to tell whether the precious gem mentioned in the Bible is the same mineral known by this name today. Chalcedony occurs in a wide range of varieties."
"in numerous classical texts. They listed it among historical imperial tribute products presented from the far western regions of China, and as the mineral-fruit of the legendary ""langgan"" trees of immortality on Mount Kunlun (Bokenkamp 1997: 289). Schafer's 1978 monograph on ""langgan"" sought to identify the treasured blue-green gemstone, if it ever had a unique identity, and concluded the most plausible identification is malachite, a bright green mineral that was anciently used as a copper ore and an ornamental stone. Two early Chinese mineralogical authorities (Chang 1921: 24, Read and Pak 1928: 21) identified ""langgan"" as malachite, commonly called ""kǒngquèshí"""
"Branchville Mica Mine in Branchville, Fairfield County, Connecticut, US. Its name is derived from the Greek έωσφορος for ""dawn-bearing,"" because of its pink color. It occurs worldwide typically as a secondary mineral in phosphate rich granitic pegmatites in association with rhodochrosite, lithiophilite, triphylite, triploidite, dickinsonite, albite, cookeite, apatite, beryllonite, hydroxyl-herderite, and tourmaline. An attractive combination of eosphorite and rose quartz occurs at Taquaral, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Eosphorite Eosphorite is a brown (occasionally pink) manganese hydrous phosphate mineral with chemical formula: MnAl(PO)(OH)·HO. It is used as a gemstone. Eosphorite crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. It forms slender prismatic crystals which"
"alabaster"", since the early examples came from the Far East. The Greek name ""alabastrites"" is said to be derived from the town of Alabastron in Egypt, where the stone was quarried. The locality probably owed its name to the mineral; the origin of the mineral name is obscure (though see above). The ""Oriental"" alabaster was highly esteemed for making small perfume bottles or ointment vases called alabastra; the vessel name has been suggested as a possible source of the mineral name. In Egypt, craftsmen used alabaster for canopic jars and various other sacred and sepulchral objects. A sarcophagus discovered in"
"and video games. Philosopher's stone The philosopher's stone, or stone of the philosophers () is a legendary alchemical substance capable of turning base metals such as mercury into gold (, from the Greek χρυσός ""khrusos"", ""gold"", and ποιεῖν ""poiēin"", ""to make"") or silver. It is also called the elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and for achieving immortality; for many centuries, it was the most sought goal in alchemy. The philosopher's stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection at its finest, enlightenment, and heavenly bliss. Efforts to discover the philosopher's stone were known as"
"Turquoise Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, with the chemical formula CuAl(PO)(OH)·4HO. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gemstone and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times, turquoise has been devalued, like most other opaque gems, by the introduction onto the market of treatments, imitations and synthetics. The gemstone has been known by many names. Pliny the Elder referred to the mineral as ""callais"" (from Ancient Greek ) and the Aztecs knew it as ""chalchihuitl"". The"
"""ferrum"" (Latin for iron), as the iron-rich analogue of pyroxmangite. The word pyroxene, in turn comes from the Greek words for ""fire"" (πυρ) and ""stranger"" (ξένος). Pyroxenes were named this way because of their presence in volcanic lavas, where they are sometimes seen as crystals embedded in volcanic glass; it was assumed they were impurities in the glass, hence the name ""fire strangers"". However, they are simply early-forming minerals that crystallized before the lava erupted. Pyroxferroite was first discovered in 1969 in lunar rock samples from the Sea of Tranquility during the Apollo missions. Together with armalcolite and tranquillityite, it"
"that the enigmatic Altyn-Tyube mineral was new to science and named it dioptase (Greek, ""dia"", ""through"" and ""optos"", ""visible""), alluding to the mineral's two cleavage directions that are visible inside unbroken crystals. Dioptase is an uncommon mineral found mostly in desert regions where it forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper sulfide mineral deposits. However, the process of its formation is not simple, the oxidation of copper sulfides should be insufficient to crystallize dioptase as silica is normally minutely soluble in water except at highly alkaline pH. The oxidation of sulfides will generate highly acidic fluids"
"minerals chalcopyrite and triphylite. Phosphophyllite Phosphophyllite is a rare mineral composed of hydrated zinc phosphate. Its name derives from its chemical composition (phosphate) and the Greek word for ""leaf"", , a reference to its cleavage. It is highly prized by collectors for its rarity and for its delicate bluish green colour. Phosphophyllite is rarely cut because it is fragile and brittle, and large crystals are too valuable to be broken up. The finest phosphophyllite crystals come from Potosí, Bolivia, but it is no longer mined there. Other sources include New Hampshire, US and Hagendorf, Bavaria, Germany. It is often found"
"Apophyllite The name apophyllite refers to a specific group of phyllosilicates, a class of minerals. Originally, the group name referred to a specific mineral, but was redefined in 1978 to stand for a class of minerals of similar chemical makeup that comprise a solid solution series, and includes the members fluorapophyllite-(K), fluorapophyllite-(Na), hydroxyapophyllite-(K). The name apophyllite is derived from the Greek ἀποφυλλίζω ""apophylliso,"" meaning ""it flakes off"", a reference to this class's tendency to flake apart when heated, due to water loss. These minerals are typically found as secondary minerals in vesicles in basalt or other volcanic rocks. A recent"
"varies with crystallographic direction, and there is more than one refractive index. Amarantite is a very rare mineral and can only be found in a couple of places such as Carocoles, Chile. Although it is a source of iron, there is not enough amarantite to be mined for iron. However, when found in crystal form its red orange color gives it value as a collectors item. Amarantite Amarantite is an amaranth-red to brownish mineral with the general formula of FeO(SO)·7HO or FeSO(OH)·3HO. The name comes from the Greek word αμάραντος which means amaranth, an imaginary undying red flower, in allusion"
"Aphanite Aphanite, or aphanitic as an adjective (from the Greek αφανης, ""invisible""), is a name given to certain igneous rocks that are so fine-grained that their component mineral crystals are not detectable by the unaided eye (as opposed to phaneritic igneous rocks, where the minerals are visible to the unaided eye). This geological texture results from rapid cooling in volcanic or hypabyssal (shallow subsurface) environments. As a rule, the texture of these rocks is not the same as that of volcanic glass (e.g., obsidian), with volcanic glass being non-crystalline (amorphous), and having a glass-like appearance. Aphanites are commonly porphyritic, having"
"Euxenite Euxenite or euxenite-(Y) (a correct mineralogical name) is a brownish black mineral with a metallic luster. It contains calcium, niobium, tantalum, cerium, titanium, yttrium, and typically uranium and thorium, with some other metals. The chemical formula is: (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Nb,Ta,Ti)O. It is commonly partially amorphous due to radiation damage. Euxenite forms a continuous series with the titanium rich polycrase-(Y) having the following formula: (Y,Ca,Ce,U,Th)(Ti,Nb,Ta)O It was first described in 1870 and named for from the Greek (εύξεινος), ""hospitable"" or ""friendly to strangers"", in allusion to the many rare elements that it contains. It occurs in granite pegmatites and detrital black sands."
"Beryl Beryl ( ) is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate with the chemical formula BeAlSiO. Well-known varieties of beryl include emerald and aquamarine. Naturally occurring, hexagonal crystals of beryl can be up to several meters in size, but terminated crystals are relatively rare. Pure beryl is colorless, but it is frequently tinted by impurities; possible colors are green, blue, yellow, red (the rarest), and white. Beryl is also an ore source of beryllium. The name ""beryl"" is derived (via , , and ) from Greek βήρυλλος ""beryllos"" which referred to a ""precious blue-green color-of-sea-water stone""; akin to Prakrit"
"from Artemis, the ancient Greek goddess of the hunt. ""Absinthe"" is derived from the Latin ""absinthium"", which in turn comes from the Greek ""apsínthion"", ""wormwood"". The use of ""Artemisia absinthium"" in a drink is attested in Lucretius' ""De Rerum Natura"" (I 936–950), where Lucretius indicates that a drink containing wormwood is given as medicine to children in a cup with honey on the brim to make it drinkable. Some claim that the word means ""undrinkable"" in Greek, but it may instead be linked to the Persian root ""spand"" or ""aspand"", or the variant ""esfand"", which meant ""Peganum harmala"", also called"
"amethyst, citrine, and the other varieties of crystalline quartz. Other members of the cryptocrystalline silica family include agate, carnelian, and onyx. Unlike many non-transparent silica minerals, it is the color of chrysoprase, rather than any pattern of markings, that makes it desirable. The word chrysoprase comes from the Greek χρυσός ""chrysos"" meaning 'gold' and πράσινον ""prasinon"", meaning 'green'. Unlike emerald which owes its green color to the presence of chromium, the color of chrysoprase is due to trace amounts of nickel compounds in the form of very small inclusions. The nickel reportedly occurs as different silicates, like kerolite or pimelite"
"the Greek ""kassiteros"" for ""tin""; or from the Phoenician word ""Cassiterid"" referring to the islands of Ireland and Great Britain, the ancient sources of tin; or, as Roman Ghirshman (1954) suggests, from the region of the Kassites, an ancient people in west and central Iran. Cassiterite Cassiterite is a tin oxide mineral, SnO. It is generally opaque, but can also be translucent to transparent. Its luster and multiple crystal faces produce a desirable gem. Cassiterite has been the chief tin ore throughout ancient history and remains the most important source of tin today. Most sources of cassiterite today are found"
"Philosopher's stone The philosopher's stone, or stone of the philosophers () is a legendary alchemical substance capable of turning base metals such as mercury into gold (, from the Greek χρυσός ""khrusos"", ""gold"", and ποιεῖν ""poiēin"", ""to make"") or silver. It is also called the elixir of life, useful for rejuvenation and for achieving immortality; for many centuries, it was the most sought goal in alchemy. The philosopher's stone was the central symbol of the mystical terminology of alchemy, symbolizing perfection at its finest, enlightenment, and heavenly bliss. Efforts to discover the philosopher's stone were known as the Magnum Opus"
"corresponding tin bearing mineral AgSnS, also found in Bolivia as pseudocubic crystals, and known by the name canfieldite. There is also a related mineral, putzite, with composition (CuAg)GeS. Argyrodite gets its name from the Greek words that loosely translate into ""rich in silver"". Attribution: Argyrodite Argyrodite is an uncommon silver germanium sulfide mineral with formula AgGeS. The color is iron-black with a purplish tinge, and the luster metallic. Discovered by Clemens Winkler in 1886, it is of interest as it was described shortly after the element germanium was isolated, 15 years after it had been postulated by Mendeleev. It was"
"it is blasted at the hard water deposits to remove them. Kieserite Kieserite is the magnesium sulfate mineral (MgSO·HO) and is named after Dietrich Georg von Kieser (Jena, Germany 1862). It has a vitreous luster and it is colorless, grayish-white or yellowish. Its hardness is 3.5 and crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. Gunningite is the zinc member of the kieserite group of minerals. Kieserite commonly occurs in marine evaporites and rarely in volcanic environments as a sublimate. It occurs in association with halite, carnallite, polyhalite, anhydrite, boracite, sulfoborite, leonite, epsomite and celestine. In early 2005, Mars Express, a European"
"because barium sulfate is extremely insoluble in water. It is also sometimes used as gemstone. Baryte Baryte or barite (, ) is a mineral consisting of barium sulfate (BaSO). Baryte is generally white or colorless, and is the main source of barium. The ""baryte group"" consists of baryte, celestine (strontium sulfate), anglesite (lead sulfate), and anhydrite (calcium sulfate). Baryte and celestine form a solid solution (Ba,Sr)SO. The radiating form, sometimes referred to as ""Bologna Stone"", attained some notoriety among alchemists for the phosphorescent specimens found in the 17th century near Bologna by Vincenzo Casciarolo. The American Petroleum Institute specification API"
"Eudialyte Eudialyte, whose name derives from the Greek phrase Εὖ διάλυτος ""eu"" ""dialytos"", meaning ""well decomposable"", is a somewhat rare, nine member ring cyclosilicate mineral, which forms in alkaline igneous rocks, such as nepheline syenites. Its name alludes to its ready solubility in acid. Eudialyte was first described in 1819 for an occurrence in nepheline syenite of the Ilimaussaq intrusive complex of southwest Greenland. Eudialyte is used as a minor ore of zirconium. Another use of eudialyte is as a minor gemstone, but this use is limited by its rarity, which is compounded by its poor crystal habit. These factors"
"Titanite Titanite, or sphene (from the Greek ""sphenos"" (σφηνώ), meaning wedge), is a calcium titanium nesosilicate mineral, CaTiSiO. Trace impurities of iron and aluminium are typically present. Also commonly present are rare earth metals including cerium and yttrium; calcium may be partly replaced by thorium. The International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names (CNMMN) adopted the name titanite and ""discredited"" the name sphene as of 1982, although commonly papers and books initially identify the mineral using both names. Sphene was the most commonly used name until the IMA decision, although both were well known. Some authorities think"
"which has the same origin as the bronzy sheen of bronzite, but is even more pronounced. Like bronzite, it is sometimes cut and polished as a gemstone. The name ""hypersthene"" comes from the Greek and means ""over strength"", and is an allusion to its being harder than the amphibole mineral hornblende (a mineral with which it is often confused). Hypersthene Hypersthene is a common rock-forming inosilicate mineral belonging to the group of orthorhombic pyroxenes. Its chemical formula is (Mg,Fe)SiO. It is found in igneous and some metamorphic rocks as well as in stony and iron meteorites. Many references have formally"
"and this may refer to ""natural"" brass. ""Oreikhalkon"" (mountain copper), the Ancient Greek translation of this term, was later adapted to the Latin ""aurichalcum"" meaning ""golden copper"" which became the standard term for brass. In the 4th century BC Plato knew ""orichalkos"" as rare and nearly as valuable as gold and Pliny describes how ""aurichalcum"" had come from Cypriot ore deposits which had been exhausted by the 1st century AD. X-ray fluorescence analysis of 39 orichalcum ingots recovered from a 2,600-year-old shipwreck off Sicily found them to be an alloy made with 75–80 percent copper, 15–20 percent zinc and small"
"can regarded as a portmanteau of ""borax"" and ""carbon"". Aluminium was named by Humphry Davy in the early 1800s. It is derived from the Greek word ""alumen"", meaning bitter salt, or the Latin ""alum"", the mineral. Gallium is derived from the Latin ""Gallia"", referring to France, the place of its discovery. Indium comes from the Latin word ""indicum"", meaning indigo dye, and refers to the element's prominent indigo spectroscopic line. Thallium, like indium, is named after the Greek word for the color of its spectroscopic line: ""thallos"", meaning a green twig or shoot. ""Nihonium"" is named after Japan (""Nihon"" in"
"Tinnunculite Tinnunculite is a naturally-occurring form of dihydrate of uric acid. It should not be confused with a proposed mineral species with the identical name 'Tinnunculite', that forms when droppings from a European kestrel react with the burning dumps of coal mines and quarries. This Tinnunculite (Chesnokov & Shcherbakova) was rejected by the IMA on the basis of being of anthropogenic origin. The name tinnunculite is derived from the kestrel's binomial name, """"Falco tinnunculus"""", which is itself derived from the Latin word ""tinnunculus"", meaning ""kestrel"", from ""tinnulus"", meaning ""shrill"". The mineral is a dihydrate of uricite to which it is"