Geographic Minerals

Definition – “Chrysoberyl” is a hard, tough, and durable gem, and it is an aluminate of beryllium with the formula BeAl2O4. It is distinctly different…

Definition – “Serpentinite” is a rock composed of one or more serpentine group minerals, the name originating from the similarity of the texture of the…

Definition – Realgar, α-As4S4, also known as “ruby sulphur” or “ruby of arsenic”, an important ore of arsenic, a red or orange mineral containing both…

Malayaite is a calcium tin silicate mineral with formula CaSnO[SiO4]. It is a monoclinic-prismatic mineral containing calcium, oxygen, silicon, and tin. It is a member…

Definition – Vanadinite is a mineral belonging to the apatite group of phosphates, and it has a chemical composition of Pb5(VO4)3Cl. It is an important…

Definition – “Benitoite” (/bəˈniːtoʊaɪt/), is an extremely rare mineral that is best known for being the official state gemstone of California (U.S). Its color is…

Definition – Cassiterite, also called tinstone, is a tin oxide mineral, SnO2, which is the most important source of tin, and most of the world’s…

Definition – ‘Arsenopyrite’, also called Mispickel, is an iron arsenic sulfide mineral with a chemical composition of FeAsS. It is a hard (Mohs 5.5-6) metallic,…

Definition – Lepidolite is one of the most powerful crystals, which is a lilac-gray or rose-colored member of the mica group of minerals with formula…

Definition – Orpiment, the transparent yellow-orange color mineral arsenic sulfide (As2S3), which is found in volcanic fumaroles, low-temperature hydrothermal veins, and hot springs and is…

Definition – Plagioclase is a series of tectosilicate (framework silicate) minerals within the feldspar group, that form a solid solution series ranging from pure albite…

Definition – Orthoclase, or orthoclase feldspar (endmember formula KAlSi3O8), is one of the most abundant rock-forming minerals of the continental crust. It is an important…