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Glite Dictionary
thortveitite

thortveitite

9.9
A rare mineral that contains the metal scandium and is a main source of it
  • noun
  • Specialized
: tortveitita
  • The main commercial source of scandium is the mineral thortveitite.

Examples

  • The crystal structure of thortveitite makes it a unique silicate mineral.

  • Geologists discovered several new veins of thortveitite in the old mining district.

  • The geologist discovered a new sample of thortveitite.

  • Many thortveitites have been found in Norway.

  • Geologists discovered several new veins of thortveitite in the old mining district.

  • The main commercial source of scandium is the mineral thortveitite.

  • The crystal structure of thortveitite makes it a unique silicate mineral.

Surface Forms

thortveitite singular
thortveitites plural

Morphology

thortveitite = Thortveit (semi-transparent) = thortveit + ite

The suffix '-ite' signals a mineral, so learners can guess it names a mineral, but the eponymic base 'Thortveit' gives no clue to composition.

Etymology

Thortveitite joins a name, Thortveit, with the mineral ending -ite, which means 'rock' or 'stone'. So thinking of it as 'Thortveit's rock' gives a clear image and helps you remember it is a rare mineral and a source of scandium.