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April 24, 2024
Adamite is a rare, colorful orthorhombic mineral prized by collectors for its vibrant crystals.
Gypsum, a soft calcium sulfate mineral, is primarily used as plaster or in cement production.
Kernite is a boron-rich mineral used in glassmaking, detergents, and ceramics.
Pyroxene, a silicate mineral group found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Basalt is a dark, fine-grained igneous rock used in construction, monuments, and geological studies.
Gneiss is a durable, banded metamorphic rock used in construction and decoration.
Biotite is a dark mica mineral used in insulation and geological studies.
Mica is a group of silicate minerals with varying compositions mainly in insulation and electronics.
Talc, the softest mineral, is used in baby powder, cosmetics, ceramics, and plastics.
Vanadinite is a bright red mineral, primarily sourced from lead deposits.
Rhyolite, a silica-rich volcanic rock, is used in construction and research.
Monazite, a group of rare earth minerals, is a key source of rare earth elements.
Scheelite, a calcium tungstate, is the main source of tungsten for tools and alloys.
Galena is the main ore of lead and silver, used in batteries and shielding.
Wulfenite is a bright orange or yellow mineral, prized by collectors.
Amphibole is a diverse mineral group used for geological indicators and as insulation.
Quartz, a silicon dioxide mineral, is used in jewelry and electronics.
Borax is a sodium borate used in cleaning and glassmaking.
Calcite is a trigonal calcium carbonate mineral used mainly in construction for making cement.
Zircon is a durable mineral used in jewelry, geological dating, and ceramics.
Granite is a durable igneous rock used in construction, monuments, and countertops.
Dolomite is a calcium magnesium carbonate used in construction and agriculture.
Chlorite, a green phyllosilicate mineral, is used as a geological indicator and industrial filler.
Diorite is a tough igneous rock used in construction, art, and in research.
Coal, mainly carbon, is used for energy and steel production.
Hematite is an iron oxide mineral used for iron ore, pigments, and radiation shielding.
Muscovite, a mica mineral, is used in insulation, fireproofing, and cosmetics.
Limestone, mainly calcium carbonate, is used in construction, cement, and water treatment.
Pyrite, or “Fool’s Gold,” is used for sulfur and iron production.
Marble, a calcium carbonate metamorphic rock, is used in sculpture, architecture, and countertops.
Fluorite, a colorful calcium fluoride, is used as flux in steelmaking, glass, and as gemstones.
Schist, a layered metamorphic rock rich in mica and quartz, is often used in construction.
Tourmaline is a colorful boron silicate mineral used as a gemstone and in electronics.
Garnet is a group of silicate minerals used as gemstones and abrasives.
Descloizite is a lead-zinc vanadate mineral, mainly found in Namibia and Mexico.
Halite, or rock salt, is a sodium chloride mineral used for seasoning, de-icing, and industry.
Scorodite, a hydrated iron arsenate, is valued for arsenic containment and as a collector’s mineral.
Apatite is a calcium phosphate mineral found in various colors, primarily used in fertilizers.
Olivine, a magnesium iron silicate, is used in gemstones (peridot) and refractory materials.
Shale, a fine-grained sedimentary rock, is used for natural gas, cement, and research.
Bauxite is the main aluminum ore, primarily found in Australia.
Quartzite, a durable metamorphic rock made of quartz, is used in construction and countertops.
Magnetite, an iron oxide with magnetic properties, is used in steel production and catalysts.
Feldspar is an aluminum silicate used in ceramics, glass, and construction.
Beryl is a gemstone mineral, including emerald and aquamarine, and a source of beryllium.
Sandstone, composed of quartz and feldspar, is used in construction, paving, landscaping, and glassmaking.
Barite is a barium sulfate mineral used in drilling, shielding, and paints.