Definition

Noun: 1. A mineral that is a source of rare earth elements: Gadolinite is a black or dark green mineral primarily valued for containing several rare earth elements. It consists of silicates of iron, beryllium, cerium, yttrium, and erbium.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The geologist identified the black crystal as gadolinite.
  • This deposit of gadolinite is an important source of yttrium.
  • The chemical formula of gadolinite is complex, containing multiple rare earths.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific Context: In geology and mineralogy, "gadolinite" is used to refer specifically to this mineral species. It is often discussed in the context of rare earth element (REE) deposits and mineral classification.
  • The paragenesis of the gadolinite indicates a late-stage hydrothermal formation.

Variants and Related Words

• Ytterbite (n): An older, synonymous name for gadolinite, named after the village of Ytterby, Sweden, where it was first discovered.
  • In early mineralogical texts, you might find gadolinite referred to as ytterbite.

Synonyms

• Mineral: While "mineral" is a general term, it can be used as a synonym in broad contexts where the specific type is understood.
  • The sample contained a rare earth-bearing mineral (gadolinite).

Related Terms and Context

• Rare Earth Elements (REEs): A group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements, many of which are found in gadolinite.
• Silicate Mineral: A category of minerals, the largest and most important class of rock-forming minerals, to which gadolinite belongs.
• Type Locality: The location where a mineral was first described. For gadolinite, this is Ytterby, Sweden.

Noun

1. a mineral that is a source of rare earths; consists of silicates of iron and beryllium and cerium and yttrium and erbium