What are minerals, how do they form, and which properties can be used to distinguish them? The Origin of the Word The word “mineral” can be traced back to Medieval Latin. The expression “aes minerale” roughly means “ore from a mine.” The terms mina, meaning “mine shaft,” and minare, in the sense of “to engage […]
Why do so many people collect minerals and rocks? The reasons are very different. Some are fascinated by geology and crystal forms, others by aesthetics, travel, rare localities, or simply the joy of building a personal collection. The Diversity of Minerals The diversity of the mineral world is enormous. When I looked through my first […]
