100+ Types of Rocks and Minerals Vocabulary in English

AG-it | /ˈæɡ.ət/

Meaning: A common semiprecious silica mineral with banded layers of color.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ornamental carvings, hardstone carvings.

Fun Fact: Agate forms in the cavities of volcanic rocks over millions of years.

AM-uh-thist | /ˈæm.ə.θɪst/

Meaning: A purple variety of quartz, highly prized as a gemstone.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, spiritual healing.

Fun Fact: Ancient Greeks believed amethyst could prevent drunkenness.

AN-di-zite | /ˈæn.dɪ.zaɪt/

Meaning: A fine-grained volcanic rock intermediate in composition between basalt and rhyolite.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction aggregate, road building.

Fun Fact: Andesite is named after the Andes Mountains where it is commonly found.

AP-uh-tite | /ˈæp.ə.taɪt/

Meaning: A group of phosphate minerals frequently found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Nutrition: The primary source of phosphorus for plant fertilizer.

Uses: Fertilizer, occasional gemstone.

Fun Fact: Apatite is the mineral that makes up your tooth enamel and bones.

ak-TIN-oh-lite | /ækˈtɪn.oʊ.laɪt/

Meaning: A green amphibole mineral often found in metamorphic rocks, sometimes forming nephrite jade.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of asbestos historically, ornamental stone.

Fun Fact: Actinolite is the mineral that gives the green color to many specimens of nephrite jade.

AL-uh-bas-ter | /ˈæl.ə.bɑːs.tər/

Meaning: A fine-grained, translucent variety of gypsum or calcite used for carving.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Sculptures, ornamental carvings, light fixtures.

Fun Fact: True alabaster is made of gypsum and is water-soluble, so it must be kept away from moisture.

al-ig-ZAN-drite | /ˌæl.ɪɡˈzæn.draɪt/

Meaning: A rare color-changing variety of chrysoberyl used in high-end jewelry.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry, collector's gemstone.

Fun Fact: Alexandrite is often described as 'emerald by day, ruby by night' due to its dramatic color change.

AM-uh-zon-ite | /ˈæm.ə.zɑːn.aɪt/

Meaning: A green tectosilicate mineral, a variety of microcline feldspar.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ornamental carvings.

Fun Fact: Despite its name, amazonite is not found in the Amazon basin; it was named for the green hues reminiscent of the Amazon rainforest.

AM-ber | /ˈæm.bər/

Meaning: A hard, translucent fossilized tree resin produced by extinct coniferous trees.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, scientific study of ancient inclusions.

Fun Fact: Amber often traps ancient insects and plant material, preserving them perfectly for millions of years.

am-FIB-oh-lite | /æmˈfɪb.oʊ.laɪt/

Meaning: A dark, coarse-grained metamorphic rock composed mainly of amphibole and plagioclase.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction aggregate, road building.

Fun Fact: Amphibolite forms at high temperatures and pressures deep within the Earth's crust.

an-duh-LOO-site | /ˌæn.dəˈluː.saɪt/

Meaning: An aluminum nesosilicate mineral that forms at high pressures and temperatures.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Refractory bricks, spark plugs, gemstones.

Fun Fact: The variety chiastolite contains dark cross-shaped inclusions of carbon.

an-HY-drite | /ænˈhaɪ.draɪt/

Meaning: An anhydrous calcium sulfate mineral, closely related to gypsum.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Soil conditioner, plaster, drying agents.

Fun Fact: Anhydrite turns into gypsum by absorbing water, expanding significantly in the process.

AN-thruh-site | /ˈæn.θrə.saɪt/

Meaning: A hard, compact variety of coal with the highest carbon content and energy density.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-grade fuel, water filtration.

Fun Fact: Anthracite burns with a smokeless blue flame due to its high carbon purity.

AP-uh-tite | /ˈæp.ə.taɪt/

Meaning: A group of phosphate minerals frequently found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.

Nutrition: The primary source of phosphorus for plant fertilizer.

Uses: Fertilizer, occasional gemstone.

Fun Fact: Apatite is the mineral that makes up your tooth enamel and bones.

ah-kwuh-muh-REEN | /ˌækwəməˈriːn/

Meaning: A light blue to blue-green variety of the mineral beryl.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry.

Fun Fact: The name aquamarine means 'seawater' in Latin, referencing its ocean-like color.

AHR-kohs | /ˈɑːr.koʊs/

Meaning: A clastic sedimentary rock, essentially a sandstone rich in feldspar.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction stone, decorative gravel.

Fun Fact: Arkose forms when granite weathers rapidly in dry, cold climates, preventing the feldspar from breaking down.

as-BES-tus | /æsˈbɛs.təs/

Meaning: A group of six naturally occurring fibrous silicate minerals once widely used for insulation.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Historically used for fireproofing; now banned due to health hazards.

Fun Fact: Inhaling asbestos fibers can cause severe lung diseases, including mesothelioma, leading to its global ban.

AW-jite | /ˈɔː.dʒaɪt/

Meaning: A common dark green to black pyroxene mineral found in mafic igneous rocks.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Scientific study of igneous rocks.

Fun Fact: Augite crystals are typically short and blocky, often appearing as shiny black specks in basalt.

AZH-ur-ite | /ˈæʒ.ʊr.aɪt/

Meaning: A soft, deep blue copper mineral produced by weathering of copper ore deposits.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Pigment (azure blue), copper ore, jewelry.

Fun Fact: Over time, azurite can absorb water and turn into malachite, changing from blue to green.

buh-SAWLT | /bəˈsɔːlt/

Meaning: A dark, fine-grained volcanic rock that is the most common rock in the Earth's crust.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction stone, road aggregate, statues.

Fun Fact: Most of the ocean floor is made of basalt.

BER-il | /ˈbɛr.əl/

Meaning: A beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate mineral that forms hexagonal crystals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of beryllium, gemstone varieties (emerald, aquamarine).

Fun Fact: Emerald and aquamarine are simply two different colored varieties of the mineral beryl.

BAIR-ite | /ˈbær.aɪt/

Meaning: A mineral consisting of barium sulfate, known for its high specific gravity.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Drilling mud for oil wells, medical x-ray contrast.

Fun Fact: Barite is unusually heavy for a non-metallic mineral, which is why it is used to weigh down oil drilling fluids.

BAWK-site | /ˈbɔːk.saɪt/

Meaning: The primary ore of aluminum, formed from the laterization of rocks in tropical climates.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of aluminum, abrasives.

Fun Fact: Bauxite is named after the village of Les Baux in southern France where it was first discovered.

buh-NEE-toh-ite | /bəˈniː.toʊ.aɪt/

Meaning: A rare blue barium titanium silicate mineral found in California.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Rare gemstone, collector's mineral.

Fun Fact: Benitoite is the official state gemstone of California and glows brightly under UV light.

by-OT-ite | /baɪˈɒt.aɪt/

Meaning: A common group of phyllosilicate minerals within the mica group, rich in iron and magnesium.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Filler in rubber and asphalt, electrical insulation.

Fun Fact: Biotite is also known as 'black mica' and is often found flaking off granite surfaces.

BOR-nite | /ˈbɔːr.naɪt/

Meaning: A sulfide mineral of copper and iron, often called 'peacock ore' for its iridescent tarnish.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Major ore of copper.

Fun Fact: Freshly exposed bornite is bronze-colored, but it quickly tarnishes into a brilliant peacock-like sheen.

BRECH-ee-uh | /ˈbrɛtʃ.i.ə/

Meaning: A rock composed of broken fragments of minerals or rocks cemented together by a fine-grained matrix.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Decorative building stone, gem matrix (matrix opal).

Fun Fact: Breccia differs from conglomerate because its rock fragments are sharp and angular, meaning they haven't been worn down by water.

KAL-site | /ˈkæl.saɪt/

Meaning: A very common carbonate mineral, the main component of limestone and marble.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Cement production, acid neutralization, optical instruments.

Fun Fact: Calcite reacts with weak acid by fizzing and releasing carbon dioxide.

kohl | /koʊl/

Meaning: A combustible black sedimentary rock used as a fossil fuel.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Electricity generation, steel manufacturing.

Fun Fact: Coal is formed from ancient plant matter that was compressed over millions of years.

KOP-er | /ˈkɒp.ər/

Meaning: A soft, malleable, reddish-orange metal found in various ores.

Nutrition: Essential trace mineral for human health.

Uses: Electrical wiring, plumbing, coinage.

Fun Fact: Copper is one of the few metals that is naturally antimicrobial.

kuh-RUN-dum | /kəˈrʌn.dəm/

Meaning: A crystalline form of aluminum oxide, incredibly hard and used as an abrasive.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Abrasives, sandpaper, gemstones.

Fun Fact: Ruby and sapphire are both gem-quality varieties of corundum.

kar-NEEL-yun | /kɑːrˈniːl.jən/

Meaning: A brownish-red mineral commonly used as a semi-precious gemstone, a variety of chalcedony.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, carved signet rings.

Fun Fact: Ancient Romans used carnelian to make signet rings because hot wax would not stick to the stone.

kuh-SIT-er-ite | /kəˈsɪt.ər.aɪt/

Meaning: A tin oxide mineral that is the primary ore of tin.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Tin production, bronze manufacturing.

Fun Fact: Cassiterite is extremely dense and is often found in riverbeds as 'placer tin'.

SEL-uh-stite | /ˈsɛl.ə.staɪt/

Meaning: A mineral consisting of strontium sulfate, known for its delicate blue crystals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Fireworks (red color), source of strontium.

Fun Fact: Celestite gives fireworks their brilliant red color when strontium is burned.

chawk | /tʃɔːk/

Meaning: A soft, white, porous sedimentary rock made of calcium carbonate from marine microorganisms.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Blackboard chalk, gymnastics grip aid, lime fertilizer.

Fun Fact: The White Cliffs of Dover are made almost entirely of microscopic ancient sea creatures compressed into chalk.

churt | /tʃɜːrt/

Meaning: A hard, fine-grained sedimentary rock composed of microcrystalline quartz.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Historic tools, weapons, road construction.

Fun Fact: Flint is a specific dark-colored variety of chert that was heavily used by early humans for arrowheads.

kris-uh-KOH-luh | /ˌkrɪs.əˈkɒl.ə/

Meaning: A hydrated copper silicate mineral often found in the oxidation zones of copper deposits.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ornamental stone.

Fun Fact: Chrysocolla is often confused with turquoise due to its similar bright blue-green color.

SIN-uh-bar | /ˈsɪn.ə.bɑːr/

Meaning: A bright red mercury sulfide mineral and the primary ore of mercury.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of mercury, historic red pigment (vermilion).

Fun Fact: Ancient Romans used cinnabar to make the brilliant red pigment vermilion, despite knowing it was highly toxic.

si-TREEN | /sɪˈtriːn/

Meaning: A yellow to brownish-orange variety of quartz, rare in nature but easily created by heating amethyst.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, frequently sold as 'topaz' by gem dealers.

Fun Fact: Almost all commercial citrine on the market is actually heat-treated amethyst.

kon-GLOM-er-it | /kənˈɡlɒm.ər.ət/

Meaning: A clastic sedimentary rock composed of rounded pebbles and cobbles cemented together.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction aggregate, decorative stone.

Fun Fact: Because conglomerate is made of rounded rocks, geologists know it was formed in a fast-moving river or beach.

KOHV-uh-lite | /ˈkoʊv.ə.laɪt/

Meaning: A rare copper sulfide mineral known for its deep, iridescent blue color.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Copper ore, collector's mineral.

Fun Fact: Covellite is one of the only minerals in nature that displays a deep, sub-metallic indigo blue color.

DY-uh-mund | /ˈdaɪ.ə.mənd/

Meaning: A solid form of the element carbon with its atoms arranged in a crystal structure.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, industrial cutting and drilling.

Fun Fact: Diamond is the hardest naturally occurring material on Earth.

DOH-luh-mite | /ˈdoʊ.lə.maɪt/

Meaning: An anhydrous carbonate mineral composed of calcium magnesium carbonate.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction stone, source of magnesium.

Fun Fact: Dolomite rock is often mistaken for limestone, but it only fizzes in warm acid.

DY-uh-base | /ˈdaɪ.ə.beɪs/

Meaning: A fine-grained, dark intrusive igneous rock similar in composition to basalt and gabbro.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Crushed stone, monumental stone, road building.

Fun Fact: Diabase forms vertical rock formations called 'dikes' when magma forces its way into cracks underground.

dy-AT-oh-mite | /daɪˈæt.ə.maɪt/

Meaning: A soft, siliceous sedimentary rock formed from the fossilized shells of microscopic diatoms.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Pool filters, mild abrasives, insecticides, absorbents.

Fun Fact: Diatomite feels like dense chalk but is actually made of millions of microscopic glass shells.

DY-uh-rite | /ˈdaɪ.ə.raɪt/

Meaning: A coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed primarily of plagioclase feldspar and dark minerals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Decorative stone, sculpture, building facing.

Fun Fact: Many ancient Egyptian statues and obelisks were carved from solid blocks of diorite because of its durability.

dy-OP-tays | /daɪˈɒp.teɪs/

Meaning: An intense emerald-green to bluish-green copper cyclosilicate mineral.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Rare collector's gemstone.

Fun Fact: Dioptase crystals are fragile and can dissolve in water, making them difficult to facet into gems.

doo-MOR-tee-uh-rite | /duːˈmɔːr.ti.ə.raɪt/

Meaning: A fibrous variably colored aluminum boro-silicate mineral.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-grade porcelain, spark plugs, ornamental stone.

Fun Fact: Massive blue dumortierite is often mistaken for lapis lazuli but lacks the gold pyrite flecks.

EM-er-uld | /ˈɛm.ər.əld/

Meaning: A gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl, colored green by trace amounts of chromium.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry.

Fun Fact: Most natural emeralds contain inclusions and fractures, so they are often treated with oil to fill cracks.

EP-ih-doht | /ˈɛp.ɪ.doʊt/

Meaning: A calcium aluminum iron sorosilicate mineral that is often found in metamorphic rocks.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Occasional gemstone, indicator of metamorphic zones.

Fun Fact: Epidote is known for its pistachio-green color and can sometimes be found replacing organic matter in fossil wood.

ih-VAP-uh-rite | /ɪˈvæp.ə.raɪt/

Meaning: A water-soluble sedimentary mineral that results from concentration and crystallization by evaporation.

Nutrition: Source of table salt and potassium.

Uses: Salt production, gypsum for plaster, potash for fertilizer.

Fun Fact: Evaporite deposits form when ancient seas dry up, leaving their dissolved minerals behind.

FELD-spar | /ˈfɛld.spɑːr/

Meaning: A group of rock-forming tectosilicate minerals that make up about 40% of the Earth's continental crust.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ceramics, glassmaking, filler in paints and plastics.

Fun Fact: Feldspar is the most abundant mineral group in the Earth's crust.

flint | /flɪnt/

Meaning: A hard, sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Historically used to make tools and start fires.

Fun Fact: When struck against steel, flint produces a spark hot enough to ignite tinder.

FAY-uh-lite | /ˈfeɪ.ə.laɪt/

Meaning: The iron-rich end-member of the olivine solid solution series.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Scientific study of iron-rich magmas.

Fun Fact: Unlike green peridot (magnesian olivine), fayalite is typically dark brown to black due to its high iron content.

FLOR-ite | /ˈflʊər.aɪt/

Meaning: A colorful mineral composed of calcium fluoride, known for its perfect octahedral cleavage.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Flux for steelmaking, fluorine for toothpaste, optical lenses.

Fun Fact: Fluorite is highly fluorescent under ultraviolet light, and the phenomenon of 'fluorescence' was named after this mineral.

guh-LEE-nuh | /ɡəˈliː.nə/

Meaning: The natural mineral form of lead(II) sulfide, the primary ore of lead.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of lead, source of silver.

Fun Fact: Galena is the natural magnet, though weakly, and was used in early crystal radios.

GAR-nit | /ˈɡɑːr.nɪt/

Meaning: A group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Abrasives (sandpaper), jewelry.

Fun Fact: The word garnet comes from the 14th-century Middle English word 'gernet', meaning 'dark red'.

nys | /naɪs/

Meaning: A common and widely distributed type of metamorphic rock, formed by high-grade metamorphic processes.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction stone, ornamental facings.

Fun Fact: Gneiss is pronounced exactly like the English word 'nice'.

gohld | /ɡoʊld/

Meaning: A chemical element with the symbol Au, a bright, slightly reddish yellow, dense, soft metal.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, currency, electronics, dentistry.

Fun Fact: Gold is so malleable that a single ounce can be beaten into a transparent sheet covering 100 square feet.

GRAN-it | /ˈɡræn.ɪt/

Meaning: A coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Countertops, monuments, building stone.

Fun Fact: Granite is one of the hardest natural materials, making it perfect for kitchen countertops.

GRAF-ite | /ˈɡræf.aɪt/

Meaning: A crystalline form of the element carbon, known for being an excellent electrical conductor.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Pencil lead, lubricants, batteries.

Fun Fact: Graphite and diamond are both made of pure carbon, just arranged differently.

GAB-roh | /ˈɡæb.roʊ/

Meaning: A coarse-grained, dark intrusive igneous rock chemically equivalent to basalt.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Dimension stone, cemetery headstones, aggregate.

Fun Fact: Much of the Earth's oceanic crust is made of gabbro beneath the basalt layer.

GROSH-uh-lur | /ˈɡrɒʃ.ə.lər/

Meaning: A calcium-aluminum mineral species of the garnet gemstone group.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Gemstone, abrasive.

Fun Fact: The green variety of grossular is called tsavorite, a highly prized and rare alternative to emerald.

JIP-sum | /ˈdʒɪp.səm/

Meaning: A soft sulfate mineral composed of calcium sulfate dihydrate.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Plaster, drywall, fertilizer, blackboard chalk.

Fun Fact: Gypsum is the core material in drywall, chosen because it is fire-resistant and abundant.

HAY-lite | /ˈheɪ.laɪt/

Meaning: The mineral form of sodium chloride, commonly known as rock salt.

Nutrition: Essential nutrient (sodium) in small amounts.

Uses: De-icing roads, table salt, animal feed.

Fun Fact: Halite crystals naturally form perfect cubes.

HEE-muh-tite | /ˈhiː.mə.taɪt/

Meaning: A common iron oxide compound, the main ore of iron.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Iron production, pigments (red ochre).

Fun Fact: The red color of Mars is due to a high concentration of hematite on its surface.

HED-en-berg-ite | /ˈhɛd.ən.bɜːrɡ.aɪt/

Meaning: An iron-rich endmember of the pyroxene silicate mineral group.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Collector's mineral, component of skarn rocks.

Fun Fact: Hedenbergite is often found trapped inside quartz crystals, creating dark green 'phantom' patterns.

HAWRN-blend | /ˈhɔːrn.blɛnd/

Meaning: A complex inosilicate series of minerals within the amphibole group.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Study of metamorphic and igneous rocks.

Fun Fact: Hornblende is the most common mineral in the amphibole group and gives many rocks their dark green color.

HAWRN-felz | /ˈhɔːrn.fɛlz/

Meaning: A fine-grained metamorphic rock formed by contact metamorphism.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Historically used for tools and whetstones.

Fun Fact: Hornfels is 'baked' by nearby magma intrusions, making it incredibly hard and ringing like a bell when struck.

EYE-ern | /ˈaɪ.ərn/

Meaning: A chemical element and metal that is the most abundant by mass in the Earth's core.

Nutrition: Essential mineral for human blood (hemoglobin).

Uses: Steel production, construction, machinery.

Fun Fact: Iron is the most abundant element (by mass) in the Earth, making up about 32% of the planet.

IL-muh-nite | /ˈɪl.mə.naɪt/

Meaning: A titanium-iron oxide mineral widely crystallized in igneous rocks.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Primary ore of titanium for paint and aerospace.

Fun Fact: Ilmenite is heavily mined to produce titanium dioxide, the brilliant white pigment used in paint, sunscreen, and food coloring.

EYE-oh-lite | /ˈaɪ.oʊ.laɪt/

Meaning: A blue silicate mineral that occurs in metamorphic rocks, also known as cordierite.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Gemstone, thermal shock-resistant ceramics.

Fun Fact: Iolite is extremely pleochroic, appearing blue from one angle, gray from another, and yellow from a third.

jayd | /dʒeɪd/

Meaning: An ornamental mineral, mostly known for its green varieties, used in carving and jewelry.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, carvings, ancient tools.

Fun Fact: Jade is actually two different minerals: nephrite and jadeite.

JAS-per | /ˈdʒæs.pər/

Meaning: An opaque, impure variety of silica, usually red, yellow, brown or green in color.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ornamental stone, seal stones.

Fun Fact: In the ancient world, jasper was heavily used for carving seals and amulets.

JAYD-ite | /ˈdʒeɪ.daɪt/

Meaning: A pyroxene mineral that is one of the two types of pure jade.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry, intricate carvings.

Fun Fact: Jadeite is rarer and harder than nephrite, making it the most valuable form of jade.

KAY-oh-lin-ite | /ˈkeɪ.oʊ.lɪn.aɪt/

Meaning: A clay mineral, produced by the chemical weathering of aluminum silicate minerals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Porcelain, paper coating, cosmetics.

Fun Fact: Kaolinite gets its name from Kao-Ling, a hill in China where it was first mined.

KY-uh-nite | /ˈkaɪ.ə.naɪt/

Meaning: A typically blue silicate mineral found in metamorphic rocks, known for its variable hardness.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Heat-resistant ceramics, brake pads, gemstones.

Fun Fact: Kyanite has a unique property: it is soft when scratched along its length but hard when scratched across its width.

LAP-is LAZ-oo-lee | /ˌlæp.ɪs ˈlæz.ə.li/

Meaning: A deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone for thousands of years.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ultramarine pigment for paint.

Fun Fact: During the Renaissance, ultramarine paint made from lapis lazuli was more expensive than gold.

LYM-stone | /ˈlaɪm.stoʊn/

Meaning: A sedimentary rock composed primarily of calcium carbonate.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Cement production, building facades, road base.

Fun Fact: The Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt are built almost entirely of limestone blocks.

LAB-ruh-dor-ite | /ˈlæb.rə.dɔːr.aɪt/

Meaning: A feldspar mineral that displays a brilliant optical phenomenon called labradorescence.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ornamental carvings, building facades.

Fun Fact: Labradorite was originally discovered in Labrador, Canada, and is famous for its iridescent flashes of color.

leh-PID-oh-lite | /lɛˈpɪd.ə.laɪt/

Meaning: A lilac-gray or rose-colored phyllosilicate mineral of the mica group.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of lithium, ornamental stone.

Fun Fact: Lepidolite is a major source of lithium, which is used in rechargeable batteries for electric cars and phones.

LIG-nite | /ˈlɪɡ.naɪt/

Meaning: A soft, brown combustible sedimentary rock, the lowest rank of coal.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Fuel for power generation.

Fun Fact: Lignite is often called 'brown coal' and still contains recognizable plant material from its ancient origins.

LY-muh-nite | /ˈlaɪ.mə.naɪt/

Meaning: An iron ore consisting of a mixture of hydrated iron oxide minerals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Iron ore, pigment (yellow ochre).

Fun Fact: Limonite is responsible for the rusty red and yellow colors of many soils and weathered rocks.

MAG-nuh-tite | /ˈmæɡ.nə.taɪt/

Meaning: A naturally occurring iron oxide mineral that is naturally magnetic.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of iron ore, heavy media separation.

Fun Fact: Magnetite was the first magnetic material known to ancient humans, leading to the invention of the compass.

MAR-bul | /ˈmɑːr.bəl/

Meaning: A metamorphic rock formed when limestone is subjected to high heat and pressure.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Sculptures, flooring, countertops.

Fun Fact: Marble will fizz if you drop weak acid on it because it is made of calcium carbonate.

MY-kuh | /ˈmaɪ.kə/

Meaning: A group of sheet silicate minerals known for their perfect basal cleavage into thin, transparent sheets.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Electrical insulation, thermal insulation, paint filler.

Fun Fact: Mica sheets were historically used as windows for early stoves and furnaces.

MAL-uh-kite | /ˈmæl.ə.kait/

Meaning: A green copper carbonate hydroxide mineral that forms in botryoidal masses.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ornamental carvings, copper ore.

Fun Fact: Malachite forms perfect concentric 'bullseye' rings and was heavily used by Russian tsars for palace decorations.

MAR-kuh-site | /ˈmɑːr.kə.saɪt/

Meaning: An iron sulfide mineral with the same chemical formula as pyrite but a different crystal structure.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Historically used in vintage jewelry, source of sulfur.

Fun Fact: Marcasite is unstable and can crumble into white powder over time when exposed to moisture, unlike durable pyrite.

MUR-kyoo-ree | /ˈmɜːr.kjʊ.ri/

Meaning: A heavy, silvery metal that is the only metal that is liquid at standard room temperature.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value; highly toxic.

Uses: Thermometers, barometers, fluorescent lamps.

Fun Fact: Mercury is also known as quicksilver because it flows rapidly like water but is a heavy metal.

MIG-uh-tite | /ˈmɪɡ.ə.taɪt/

Meaning: A highly deformed metamorphic rock that is a mixture of metamorphic and igneous rock.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Building stone, geological study.

Fun Fact: Migmatite forms deep underground when rocks begin to melt under extreme heat, creating a marbled 'mixed' look.

MOON-stone | /ˈmuːn.stoʊn/

Meaning: A potassium feldspar mineral that exhibits a soft, floating blue or white light called adularescence.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry.

Fun Fact: The Romans believed moonstone was formed from frozen moonlight.

MOR-guh-nite | /ˈmɔːr.ɡə.naɪt/

Meaning: A pink to peach-colored variety of the mineral beryl.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry.

Fun Fact: Morganite was named in honor of J.P. Morgan, the famous American banker and gem collector.

uhb-SID-ee-un | /əbˈsɪd.i.ən/

Meaning: A naturally occurring volcanic glass formed when lava cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Surgical scalpel blades, jewelry, ancient tools.

Fun Fact: Obsidian breaks with a conchoidal fracture, creating edges that are sharper than surgical steel.

AHN-iks | /ˈɒn.ɪks/

Meaning: A banded variety of the oxide mineral chalcedony.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, carved cameos, ornamental bowls.

Fun Fact: Onyx is often dyed completely black to use in jewelry, as natural solid black onyx is rare.

OH-pul | /ˈoʊ.pəl/

Meaning: A hydrated amorphous form of silica, displaying a unique play of color.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry.

Fun Fact: Opal contains up to 20% water, trapped inside its silica structure.

OL-ih-veen | /ˈɒl.ɪ.viːn/

Meaning: A magnesium iron silicate mineral that is a major component of the Earth's upper mantle.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of magnesium, refractory bricks, gemstone (peridot).

Fun Fact: Olivine is a major component of green sand beaches, such as those found in Hawaii.

PY-rite | /ˈpaɪ.raɪt/

Meaning: An iron sulfide mineral, often called 'Fool's Gold' due to its metallic gold appearance.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of sulfur, commercial source of sulfuric acid.

Fun Fact: In the 16th century, pyrite was used to ignite firearms because it creates sparks when struck against steel.

PUM-is | /ˈpʌm.ɪs/

Meaning: A light-colored, extremely porous volcanic rock that forms during explosive eruptions.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Exfoliating scrubs, erasers, lightweight concrete.

Fun Fact: Pumice is the only rock that can float on water.

peet | /piːt/

Meaning: A dark brown or black organic material formed from partially decayed vegetation.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Fuel, gardening soil amendment, whiskey production.

Fun Fact: Peat is the earliest stage in the formation of coal, and burning it gives Scotch whisky its smoky flavor.

PEG-muh-tite | /ˈpɛɡ.mə.taɪt/

Meaning: An exceptionally coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of rare gems (tourmaline, topaz) and lithium.

Fun Fact: Pegmatite crystals can be massive; some single mica crystals have been found measuring over 10 feet long.

PAIR-ee-doh | /ˈpɛr.ɪ.dɒt/

Meaning: A gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry.

Fun Fact: Some peridot is found in meteorites, meaning it is an extraterrestrial gemstone.

puh-RID-uh-tite | /pəˈrɪd.ə.taɪt/

Meaning: A dense, coarse-grained intrusive rock composed mainly of olivine and pyroxene.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of chromium and platinum, carbon capture.

Fun Fact: Peridotite is the dominant rock of the Earth's upper mantle, rarely seen on the surface unless pushed up by tectonics.

FIL-ite | /ˈfɪl.aɪt/

Meaning: A fine-grained metamorphic rock, intermediate in grade between slate and schist.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Decorative stone, roofing tiles.

Fun Fact: Phyllite has a characteristic silky sheen caused by tiny mica crystals aligning under pressure.

PLAT-uh-num | /ˈplæt.ɪ.nəm/

Meaning: A dense, malleable, ductile, highly unreactive transition metal.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Catalytic converters, fine jewelry, lab equipment.

Fun Fact: Platinum is so rare that all the platinum ever mined could fit in an average-sized living room.

py-ROX-en-ite | /paɪˈrɒk.sən.aɪt/

Meaning: An ultramafic intrusive igneous rock composed almost entirely of pyroxene minerals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Dimension stone, source of chromium.

Fun Fact: Pyroxenite layers are often found interleaved with peridotite in large layered intrusions like the Bushveld Complex.

kworts | /kwɔːrts/

Meaning: A hard, crystalline mineral composed of silica, the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's crust.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Watches, glassmaking, electronics, jewelry.

Fun Fact: Quartz is piezoelectric, meaning it generates an electric charge when put under physical stress.

KWORT-site | /ˈkwɔːrt.saɪt/

Meaning: A hard, non-foliated metamorphic rock formed from sandstone subjected to high heat and pressure.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Railroad ballast, countertops, decorative stone.

Fun Fact: Because quartzite is so hard, it fractures through the sand grains rather than around them, unlike sandstone.

ROO-bee | /ˈruː.bi/

Meaning: A pink to blood-red colored gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry, laser technology.

Fun Fact: The red color of a ruby is caused by the presence of the element chromium.

RY-uh-lite | /ˈraɪ.ə.laɪt/

Meaning: A fine-grained extrusive igneous rock, the volcanic equivalent of granite.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Construction aggregate, ornamental stone.

Fun Fact: The spectacular geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone National Park are heated by a massive underground rhyolite magma chamber.

roh-doh-KROH-site | /ˌroʊ.doʊˈkroʊ.saɪt/

Meaning: A manganese carbonate mineral used as an ore of manganese and a gemstone.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, ornamental stone, ore of manganese.

Fun Fact: Rhodochrosite is the national gemstone of Argentina, where it forms in stalactites in ancient Inca silver mines.

ROH-duh-nite | /ˈroʊ.də.naɪt/

Meaning: A manganese inosilicate mineral, often found with black manganese oxide veins.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Carvings, jewelry, decorative stone.

Fun Fact: Rhodonite is easily recognized by its bright pink color contrasted with stark black dendritic veins.

ROO-teel | /ˈruː.taɪl/

Meaning: A titanium oxide mineral commonly found in metamorphic and igneous rocks.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of titanium dioxide for white paint, gemstone (rutilated quartz).

Fun Fact: Fine needle-like inclusions of rutile inside quartz create the popular gemstone known as rutilated quartz or 'Venus' hair stone'.

SAND-stone | /ˈsænd.stoʊn/

Meaning: A clastic sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Building material, paving stones, grindstones.

Fun Fact: Sandstone is often formed from ancient desert dunes or beach sands.

SAP-fire | /ˈsæf.aɪər/

Meaning: A precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, typically blue but found in many colors.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry, watch crystals.

Fun Fact: The only color a sapphire cannot be is red, because a red corundum is classified as a ruby.

shist | /ʃɪst/

Meaning: A medium-grade metamorphic rock with visible, flaky minerals like mica.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Decorative stone, historically used for writing slates.

Fun Fact: The word schist is derived from the Greek word meaning 'to split', due to its layered nature.

shayl | /ʃeɪl/

Meaning: A fine-grained, clastic sedimentary rock composed of mud that is a mix of clay and silt.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Source of petroleum and natural gas, brick making.

Fun Fact: Shale is the most abundant sedimentary rock on Earth.

SIL-ver | /ˈsɪl.vər/

Meaning: A soft, white, lustrous transition metal with the highest electrical conductivity of any element.

Nutrition: No nutritional value; can be toxic in large amounts.

Uses: Jewelry, silverware, electronics, coins.

Fun Fact: Silver has the highest reflectivity of any metal, making it perfect for mirrors.

slayt | /sleɪt/

Meaning: A fine-grained, foliated metamorphic rock derived from shale.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Roofing tiles, chalkboards, pool tables.

Fun Fact: Slate splits into perfectly flat, waterproof sheets, making it the original material for blackboards.

sar-DON-iks | /sɑːrˈdɒn.ɪks/

Meaning: A variant of onyx characterized by parallel bands of sard (brown) and chalcedony (white).

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Cameos, intaglios, jewelry.

Fun Fact: Roman soldiers wore sardonyx talismans engraved with heroes like Hercules, believing it brought courage.

SKOR-ee-uh | /ˈskɔːr.i.ə/

Meaning: A highly vesicular, dark-colored volcanic rock similar to pumice but denser.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Landscaping drainage, lightweight aggregate, barbecue rocks.

Fun Fact: Unlike pumice, scoria is too dense to float on water because its bubbles are not completely sealed.

SUR-pen-teen | /ˈsɜːr.pən.taɪn/

Meaning: A group of greenish, brownish, or spotted minerals often found in serpentinite rocks.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Asbestos (chrysotile), carving material, architectural stone.

Fun Fact: Serpentine forms when oceanic crust is forced into the mantle and water alters its chemistry, often creating a slick, green rock.

SID-er-ite | /ˈsɪd.ər.aɪt/

Meaning: A mineral composed of iron carbonate, an important ore of iron.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Iron ore.

Fun Fact: Siderite can form perfectly rhombohedral crystals that look like flattened brown cubes.

SMITH-suh-nite | /ˈsmɪθ.sə.naɪt/

Meaning: A zinc carbonate mineral historically known as calamine, a source of zinc.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of zinc, collector's gemstone.

Fun Fact: Smithsonite was named in honor of James Smithson, the founder of the Smithsonian Institution.

SOH-duh-lite | /ˈsoʊ.də.laɪt/

Meaning: A rich blue tectosilicate mineral widely used as an ornamental stone.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Decorative stone, jewelry.

Fun Fact: Sodalite is famous for its deep blue color and is often used as a cheaper alternative to lapis lazuli, though it lacks gold pyrite flecks.

spin-EL | /ˈspɪn.əl/

Meaning: A magnesium aluminum mineral that produces a wide range of vivid gemstone colors.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry.

Fun Fact: The famous 'Black Prince's Ruby' in the British Crown Jewels is actually a massive red spinel.

SPOD-yoo-meen | /ˈspɒd.jʊ.miːn/

Meaning: A pyroxene mineral that occurs in prismatic crystals, source of lithium and the gems kunzite and hiddenite.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Major source of lithium for batteries, gemstone.

Fun Fact: Spodumene crystals can grow to enormous sizes; a single crystal was once found in South Dakota measuring 42 feet long.

STAWR-uh-lite | /ˈstɔːr.ə.laɪt/

Meaning: A red-brown to blackish nesosilicate mineral famous for its twinned, cross-shaped crystals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Collector's mineral, good-luck charms.

Fun Fact: Staurolite naturally forms in perfect 60-degree and 90-degree crosses, making it highly prized as a natural amulet.

STIB-nite | /ˈstɪb.naɪt/

Meaning: An antimony sulfide mineral known for its striking, metallic, needle-like crystals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of antimony, historic cosmetics (kohl).

Fun Fact: Ancient Egyptians ground up stibnite to create 'kohl', the dark eyeliner worn by pharaohs.

SUL-fer | /ˈsʌl.fər/

Meaning: A bright yellow native element mineral known for its distinct rotten egg smell when burned.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Sulfuric acid production, fertilizers, gunpowder.

Fun Fact: Sulfur is the tenth most abundant element in the universe and is essential for all living cells.

talk | /tælk/

Meaning: A clay mineral composed of hydrated magnesium silicate, the softest known mineral.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Talcum powder, cosmetics, ceramics.

Fun Fact: Talc is number 1 on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning it can be scratched by a fingernail.

TOH-paz | /ˈtoʊ.pæz/

Meaning: A silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine, used as a gemstone.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry.

Fun Fact: Blue topaz is very rare in nature; most commercial blue topaz is created by irradiating clear topaz.

TOOR-muh-leen | /ˈtʊr.mə.lin/

Meaning: A crystalline silicate mineral group in which boron is compounded with other elements.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, pressure gauges.

Fun Fact: Watermelon tourmaline has a pink center and a green outer rim, resembling the fruit.

TAN-zuh-nite | /ˈtæn.zə.naɪt/

Meaning: A rare blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite, found only in one small area of Tanzania.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: High-end jewelry.

Fun Fact: Tanzanite is a thousand times rarer than diamonds, and geologists estimate it will be completely mined out within a few decades.

TY-ger-eye | /ˈtaɪ.ɡər.aɪ/

Meaning: A chatoyant gemstone that is a metamorphic rock with a golden to red-brown color.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, carvings.

Fun Fact: Tigereye exhibits a 'cat's eye' effect where a band of light moves across the stone as it is rotated, caused by parallel fibrous crystals.

TRAY-kite | /ˈtreɪ.kaɪt/

Meaning: A light-colored, fine-grained extrusive volcanic rock, the volcanic equivalent of syenite.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Building stone, paving.

Fun Fact: Trachyte is commonly used in Europe for cobblestone streets because of its durability and rough texture.

TRAV-er-teen | /ˈtræv.ər.tiːn/

Meaning: A form of limestone deposited by mineral springs, especially hot springs.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Floor tiles, building facades, pool decks.

Fun Fact: The Colosseum in Rome is built largely from travertine quarried nearby.

TROK-tuh-lite | /ˈtrɒk.tə.laɪt/

Meaning: A mafic intrusive rock composed essentially of olivine and plagioclase, with little to no pyroxene.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Geological study, decorative stone.

Fun Fact: The name troctolite comes from the Greek word for 'trout' because its mottled texture resembles the fish's skin.

tuhf | /tʌf/

Meaning: A relatively soft rock made of compacted volcanic ash.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Building material (historical), road aggregate.

Fun Fact: Tuff is easy to carve, which is why ancient Romans built entire underground cities out of it.

TUR-kwoyz | /ˈtɜːr.kwɔɪz/

Meaning: An opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, carvings.

Fun Fact: The color 'turquoise' was named after the gemstone, which was brought to Europe from Turkey.

ZUR-kon | /ˈzɜːr.kɑːn/

Meaning: A mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates, often used as a diamond substitute.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Jewelry, source of the metal zirconium.

Fun Fact: The oldest known mineral on Earth is a zircon crystal dated at 4.4 billion years old.

ZEE-uh-lite | /ˈziː.ə.laɪt/

Meaning: A group of porous aluminosilicate minerals used for their ion-exchange and absorption properties.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Water purification, cat litter, odor control.

Fun Fact: Zeolites have a honeycomb structure that traps large molecules, making them perfect for filtering toxins out of water.

NEF-rite | /ˈnɛf.raɪt/

Meaning: A calcium magnesium amphibole mineral that is one of the two pure forms of jade.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Carvings, tools, jewelry.

Fun Fact: Nephrite is slightly softer than jadeite but is much tougher, making it the traditional choice for ancient axe heads.

NOR-ite | /ˈnɔːr.aɪt/

Meaning: A coarse-grained mafic intrusive igneous rock, similar to gabbro but rich in orthopyroxene.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Building stone, aggregate.

Fun Fact: Norite is often used as a dimension stone and is sold commercially under the name 'black granite'.

YOO-lek-site | /ˈjuː.lɛk.saɪt/

Meaning: A hydrous calcium sodium borate mineral known for its fiber-optic properties.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of boron, novelty 'TV rock'.

Fun Fact: Ulexite is called 'TV rock' because its fibers naturally transmit images through the stone like fiber-optic cables.

yoo-RAN-uh-nite | /jʊˈræn.ə.naɪt/

Meaning: A highly radioactive, uranium-rich mineral, the primary ore of uranium.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Nuclear fuel, radiometric dating.

Fun Fact: Marie Curie used uraninite (pitchblende) to discover the elements radium and polonium.

vuh-NAD-uh-nite | /vəˈnæd.ə.naɪt/

Meaning: A lead chlorovanadinate mineral belonging to the apatite group.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of vanadium and lead, collector's mineral.

Fun Fact: Vanadinite forms stunning, bright red hexagonal crystals that look like tiny barrels.

ver-MIK-yoo-lite | /vɜːrˈmɪk.jʊ.laɪt/

Meaning: A hydrous phyllosilicate mineral that expands dramatically when heated.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Potting soil amendment, insulation, fireproofing.

Fun Fact: When heated, vermiculite expands like an accordion into worm-like strands, which is how it got its name (from the Latin 'vermiculare').

WAY-vuh-lite | /ˈweɪ.və.laɪt/

Meaning: A phosphate mineral, typically found in radiating, spherical clusters.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Collector's mineral.

Fun Fact: Wavellite often forms beautiful, concentric 'eyes' in rock fractures that look like green sunbursts.

WOOLF-uh-nite | /ˈwʊl.fə.naɪt/

Meaning: A lead molybdate mineral often found as thin, bright orange tabular crystals.

Nutrition: Contains no nutritional value.

Uses: Ore of molybdenum, collector's gemstone.

Fun Fact: Wulfenite crystals are so thin and fragile that collecting perfect specimens is incredibly difficult.