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Glite Dictionary
cordierite

cordierite

9.9
A blue natural stone often used as a gem
  • noun
  • /ˈkɔrdɪəˌraɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cordierita
  • The geologist explained that cordierite is prized for its deep blue color, making it a popular choice for high-end jewelry.

Examples

  • The jeweler showcased a stunning necklace featuring a large piece of cordierite as its centerpiece.

  • Hiking in the mountains, she found a unique rock that was identified as cordierite due to its bluish hue.

  • It is made of cordierite, a ceramic used in automotive catalytic converters.

    Academic text (2006)

Synonyms

iolite
vscordierite
9.7

A blue or violet gem used in jewellery

is the mineral term used for the same blue gemstone name

Surface Forms

cordierite singular
cordierites plural

Morphology

cordierite = Cordier (semi-transparent) = cordier + ite

The suffix '-ite' commonly marks minerals (so the word signals a mineral class), but the base is a proper name and provides no lexical meaning to typical learners.

Etymology

The word cordierite comes from the name of a French scientist, Cordier, plus the mineral ending -ite, which marks a kind of 'stone'. Thinking of cordierite as 'Cordier's stone' helps you remember that it is a blue mineral often used as a gemstone.