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Glite Dictionary
cobaltite

cobaltite

9.9
A rare silvery-white mineral that people mine for cobalt
  • noun
  • /ˈkoʊbəlˌtaɪt/
  • Specialized
: cobalto
  • The geologist identified the mineral cobaltite by its distinct silvery-white color and metallic luster.

Examples

  • The geologist carefully examined the cobaltite crystals under a microscope.

  • Congo is known for its rich deposits of cobaltite and other valuable minerals.

  • Mining operations extracted large quantities of cobaltite for industrial use.

  • The cobaltite sample was found in a remote area of Canada.

  • Many geologists study cobaltite for its unique properties.

  • Congo is known for its rich deposits of cobaltite, a key ore for producing cobalt.

  • Mining operations in the region extracted substantial amounts of cobaltite for various applications.

Synonyms

smaltite
vscobaltite
  • Specialized
9.9

A shiny grey mineral that contains cobalt and nickel and is mined for those metals

is mainly silvery white and valued mainly for cobalt rather than also for nickel

Surface Forms

cobaltite singular
cobaltites plural

Morphology

cobaltite = cobalt (transparent) = cobalt + ite

Formed by adding the mineral-forming suffix '-ite' to 'cobalt', producing a noun meaning 'a mineral of or containing cobalt', which is a regular and predictable formation.

Etymology

Cobaltite comes from cobalt plus the common mineral ending -ite. The name cobalt comes from the German word kobold, meaning 'goblin', because miners long ago blamed a mischievous spirit for ores that spoiled their work, so cobaltite is the 'goblin' ore that gives the metal cobalt and the -ite ending shows it is a mineral.