Science

Brokenhillite is an earth mineral that exists in small quantities. It is only found in the far-western regions of New South Wales in Broken Hill,…

Brammallite is a sodium-rich analog of illite, formula: (Na, H3O)(Al, Mg, Fe)2(Si, Al)4O10 [(OH)2·(H2O)]. The mineral is a sodium-rich illite mica and has subsequently been…

Bowenite is a hard, compact variety of the serpentinite species antigorite, (Mg3(OH)O4Si2O5). Historically it was used for tools, weapons, and ornaments, although modern use is…

Red beryl (formerly known as “bixbite”) is a red variety of beryl. It was first described in 1904 as an occurrence, its type locality, at…

Bentonite is an absorbent aluminum phyllosilicate clay consisting mostly of montmorillonite. It was named by Wilbur C. Knight in 1898 after the Cretaceous Benton Shale…

A trigonometric identity is a statement involving trigonometric functions which is true for all possible values of the variables involved. Mutual relations among the trigonometrical…

Bauxite, an aluminum ore, is the world’s main source of aluminum. It is not a mineral. It is a rock formed from a laterite soil…

Barbertonite is a magnesium chromium carbonate mineral with the formula of [Mg6Cr2(OH)16CO3·4H2O]. It was named after the Barberton district in South Africa, where it first…

Bystrite is a silicate mineral with the formula (Na, K)7Ca(Si6Al6)O24S4.5•(H2O), and a member of the cancrinite mineral group. It is a silicate mineral and a…

Bustamite is a calcium manganese inosilicate (chain silicate) and a member of the wollastonite group. It was named after General Anastasio Bustamente (1780-1853), of Mexico.…

Bunsenite is the naturally occurring form of nickel(II) oxide, NiO. It occurs as rare dark green crystal coatings. It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system…

“Trigon” is Greek for the triangle, and “metric” is Greek for measurement. The trigonometric ratios are special measurements of a right triangle (a triangle with…