cancrinite

9.9

A rare yellow or green mineral that forms in volcanic rocks and people use as a gem

noun
/ˈkæŋkrɪˌnaɪt/

Specialized

: cancrinita

The museum displayed a large specimen of cancrinite with its distinctive yellow color.

Examples

Collectors value cancrinite for its unusual crystal structure and bright appearance.
Geologists sometimes find cancrinite in association with other rare minerals in alkaline rocks.
The cancrinite specimen sparkled under the light.
Many cancrinites are found in volcanic rocks.
The museum displayed a large specimen of cancrinite with its distinctive yellow color.
Geologists sometimes find cancrinite in association with other rare minerals in alkaline rocks.
Collectors value cancrinite for its unusual crystal structure and bright appearance.

Surface Forms

cancrinite singular

cancrinites plural

Morphology

cancrinite = cancrin + ite

Although '-ite' is a productive mineral suffix, the stem 'cancrin' is not a recognizable English base and gives no clear clue to the meaning of the word for typical learners.

Etymology

Cancrinite is linked to the Latin cancer ('crab'), and a helpful way to remember it is to picture its chunky crystal clusters like little crab shapes. That's why cancrinite is the name for a rare yellow or green mineral often kept by collectors.