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Aluminum (Al) is a lightweight, silvery-white metal that is the most abundant metallic element in Earth’s crust. It is central to modern industry, prized for its combination of low density, corrosion resistance, and versatility. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: From alumen (Latin for alum), a compound known since antiquity. Discovery: Isolated as a pure…

Aluminite is a rare hydrous aluminum sulfate mineral, Al₂SO₄(OH)₄·7H₂O. It is soft, earthy, and typically forms as a secondary mineral in oxidized environments. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: From its aluminum content. Discovery: First described in 1807. Type Locality: Likely from England, where early specimens were studied. 🔬 Chemical and Structural Properties Formula: Al₂SO₄(OH)₄·7H₂O…

Aluminate refers to compounds containing the anion [AlO₂]⁻ or related aluminum–oxygen units. These are typically salts or complex ions formed when aluminum oxide or hydroxide reacts with bases. The term is used both in mineralogy and industrial chemistry. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: From alumen (Latin for alum) + -ate, indicating a salt of…

Alumina trihydrate (ATH) is the hydrated form of aluminum oxide, with the formula Al(OH)₃. It is a key industrial chemical, widely used in flame retardants, fillers, and as the precursor to calcined alumina. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: “Alumina trihydrate” reflects its composition: aluminum oxide combined with three molecules of water. Mineral Equivalent: Gibbsite…

Alumina (Al₂O₃) is the oxide of aluminum, one of the most important industrial materials in the world. It occurs naturally as the mineral corundum (including ruby and sapphire varieties) and is also produced synthetically from bauxite. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: From alumen (Latin for alum), reflecting its aluminum content. Natural Form: Corundum (gem…

Altaite is a rare lead telluride mineral (PbTe). It is scientifically notable as one of the few naturally occurring tellurides of lead, and it often occurs in association with precious-metal tellurides in hydrothermal deposits. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: Named after the Altai Mountains, Russia, where it was first discovered. Discovery: Described in the…

Alstonite is a rare barium–calcium carbonate mineral, BaCa(CO₃)₂. It is scientifically notable as one of the few double carbonates of barium and calcium, and it occurs in low-temperature hydrothermal veins. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: Named after Alston Moor, Cumbria, England, where it was first discovered. Discovery: Described in 1841 by mineralogist Thomas Thomson.…

Alshedite is an obsolete or varietal name historically used for yttrian titanite (a yttrium-bearing variety of titanite, also called keilhauite). It is not recognized today as a distinct mineral species by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), but it appears in older mineralogical literature and collector references. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: The name “Alshedite”…

Alpha-zinc sulfide (α-ZnS) is the low-temperature polymorph of zinc sulfide, also known as sphalerite in its natural mineral form. It is one of two main crystalline modifications of ZnS, the other being beta-zinc sulfide (β-ZnS, wurtzite structure). 🌍 Origins and Naming Mineral Equivalent: Sphalerite (α-ZnS). Polymorphism: α-ZnS (sphalerite structure): Stable at lower temperatures. β-ZnS (wurtzite…

Alpha-hyblite is a porcelain-white, hydrous acidic sulfosilicate of thorium, with minor uranium, iron, and lead. It is an alteration product of thorite, first described from Hybla, Ontario, Canada. 🌍 Origins and Naming Name Origin: From Hybla, Ontario, Canada, where it was first identified. Discovery: Documented in the early 20th century during studies of thorite alteration.…