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Glite Dictionary
omphacite

omphacite

9.9
A green mineral that forms in rocks changed by heat and pressure, especially eclogite
  • noun
  • /ˈɑmfəˌsaɪt/
  • Specialized
: omfacita
  • Geologists often study omphacite to understand the conditions under which eclogite forms.

Examples

  • In the rock formation, omphacite is one of the key minerals present alongside garnet and quartz.

  • The key minerals for jade from the primary Motagua Valley source are jadeite, omphacite, albite, white mica (two varieties), and titanite.

    Academic text (1992)

  • The green color of omphacite gives it a unique appearance compared to other minerals in metamorphic rocks.

Surface Forms

omphacite singular
omphacites plural

Morphology

omphacite = omphac (opaque) = omphac + ite

The root combining form 'omphac' is obscure to average learners and the mineral suffix '-ite' is specialized, so the components do not yield a clear everyday meaning.

Etymology

Omphacite comes from the Greek word omphax, meaning 'unripe grape', because the mineral often has a green, grape-like colour, and the ending -ite simply marks it as a mineral. So, omphacite is a green mineral and the 'unripe grape' image helps you remember its colour.