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Glite Dictionary
fergusonite

fergusonite

9.9
A dark mineral that contains rare metals like yttrium and tantalum
  • noun
  • Specialized
: fergusonita
  • Rare earth metals are often extracted from minerals like fergusonite in specialized mines.

Examples

  • The presence of fergusonite indicated that the area might be rich in tantalum and yttrium.

  • The geologist collected a specimen of fergusonite from the granite outcrop.

  • The mineral fergusonite is known for its dark color.

  • Did you know that fergusonite is often used in electronics?

  • The geologist collected a specimen of fergusonite from the granite outcrop.

  • The presence of fergusonite indicated that the area might be rich in tantalum and yttrium.

  • Rare earth metals are often extracted from minerals like fergusonite in specialized mines.

Surface Forms

fergusonite singular
fergusonites plural

Morphology

fergusonite = Ferguson (semi-transparent) = ferguson + ite

The suffix '-ite' clearly marks a mineral name, but the base is an eponymic surname that does not convey chemical or physical properties.

Etymology

Fergusonite comes from the surname Ferguson plus the mineral ending -ite, which means 'rock' or 'mineral', just like in graphite. It was named for a person called Ferguson, so fergusonite means 'Ferguson's mineral', which helps you remember that it is a particular rare-earth mineral.