xenotime
9.9
A brown to yellow mineral that forms small crystals in granite and other hard rocks
- noun
- /ˈzɛnəˌtaɪm/
- Specialized
:
xenotima
- The geologist discovered a crystal of xenotime embedded within the granite.
Examples
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Rare earth elements can be extracted from minerals such as xenotime.
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Collectors prize xenotime specimens for their distinctive color and crystal habit.
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I found a piece of xenotime in the rock sample.
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The xenotime crystals were beautiful and shiny.
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Collectors prize xenotime specimens for their distinctive color and crystal habit.
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The geologist discovered a crystal of xenotime embedded within the granite.
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Rare earth elements can be extracted from minerals such as xenotime.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Xenotime comes from Greek parts xeno- meaning 'strange' or 'foreign' and -time meaning 'value' or 'honour'. So a helpful way to remember xenotime is as a 'strangely valuable' mineral, which fits because it is a rare mineral valued for important metals.
