stannite
- noun
- Specialized
- Samples of stannite are often identified by their distinctive metallic luster.
Examples
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The extraction of tin from stannite requires careful separation from other minerals.
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The mineral stannite is often found in hydrothermal veins.
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Geologists discovered a large deposit of stannite in the mountainous region.
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Stannite deposits can be valuable for mining companies.
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Geologists discovered a large deposit of stannite in the mountainous region.
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Samples of stannite are often identified by their distinctive metallic luster.
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The extraction of tin from stannite requires careful separation from other minerals.
Synonyms
A dark grey mineral that people mine to get tin
Surface Forms
Morphology
stannite = stann + ite
Formed from the combining form 'stann-' (relating to tin) + the mineral suffix '-ite'; the relation to the common word 'tin' is etymological but the form 'stann-' is obscure to average learners.
Etymology
Stannite comes from the Latin stannum, meaning 'tin', and the mineral ending -ite. So stannite literally means a 'tin' mineral, which explains why it is a source of tin.