There are 79 minerals that start with the letter D. From Dachiardite to Dypingite. Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic solids with a defined chemical composition and a crystalline structure. They are the building blocks of rocks and are classified based on their chemical properties, crystal structure, and texture. Minerals form through a variety of geological processes, including crystallization from molten rock, precipitation from solutions, and metamorphism under high pressure and temperature. They are essential not only for geological processes but also for many industrial applications and are critical for life, serving as nutrients in biological systems.
An intriguing fact about minerals is that some larval insects use mineral particles from the environment to enhance their camouflage, adapting to their surroundings for protection against predators. This innovative use of minerals demonstrates the complex interactions between organisms and their natural habitats.
Here’s what each of the columns in the table means:
Column Name: This column indicates the specific chemical elements or compounds that make up the mineral, defining its identity and properties.
Mohs hardness: This column provides a numerical scale from 1 to 10 that ranks the hardness of the mineral based on its ability to scratch or be scratched by other substances.
Common uses: This column outlines the various applications or industries where the mineral is utilized, highlighting its practical importance in everyday life and technology.
Description: This column includes a brief overview of the mineral’s appearance, characteristics, and unique features, providing essential information for identification and understanding its role in geology and industry.
Minerals That Start With D
| Minerals | chemical composition | Mohs hardness | common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dachiardite | (Ca,Na,K)2Al2Si6O16�6H2O | 3-4(3.5) | Rare mineral specimen |
| Dalnegorskite | Fe2+,Mg,Al,Si | 3-4(3.5) | scientific research |
| Danaite | (Co,Ni,Fe)AsS | 5.5-6.5(6.0) | Ore mineral, mineral specimen |
| Danalite | Fe4Be3(SiO4)3S | 6.5-7.0(6.75) | None |
| Danburite | CaB2Si2O8 | 7-7.5(7.0) | Gemstone, mineral specimen |
| Datolite | CaBSiO4(OH) | 5-5.5(5.25) | ornamental stone |
| Daveygalleite | CuCrS4 | 5.0-6.0 | N/A |
| Davidite | (Ce,La,Y,U,Th)(Ti,Fe,Cr,V)21O38 | 5-6(5.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Davidite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd,Th)(Ti,Fe,Cr,V)21O38 | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | Radioactive mineral |
| Davidite-(La) | (La,Ce,Nd,Th)(Ti,Fe,Cr,V)21O38 | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | Radioactive mineral |
| Davisonite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Dawsonite | NaAl(CO3)(OH) | 3.5-4(3.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Deadenhornite | Pb2Cl(OH)3 | 3-4(3.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Dearbornite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 | 5.5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Debeaumaontite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Deckenite | PbCuCl2 | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Decomposed Mineral | variable | 1-10(varies) | not applicable |
| Decrespignyite-(Y) | (Y,Ce,La)2(UO2)2(CO3)3(OH)4�4-6H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | Radioactive mineral |
| Dee-Ee | Cu2SeO3 | 3.5-4.0 | N/A |
| Deerite | Fe2+3(Fe3+,Al,Mg)2Si3O10(OH) | 5.0-6.0 | N/A |
| Dehydrogenite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 | 5.5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Delafossite | CuFeO2 | 5.5-6.5 | Pigment, ceramic applications |
| Delhayelite | K2Na6Ca2Mg(SO4)6�6H2O | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Dellasserite | (Ca,Na)4(UO2)2(V2O8)3�8-10H2O | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Deltaite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Delvauxite | Cu2+Fe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4�4-5H2O | 3.5-4(3.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Demartinite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 | 5.5-6.5 | N/A |
| Demikhovite | CuCl(OH) | 2.0-3.0 | N/A |
| Dempsterite | Na2Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Dendritic Mineral | variable | 1-10(varies) | scientific research |
| Denisovite | Ca2(UO2)2(VO4)2�5-8H2O | 3.0-4.0 | N/A |
| Denningite | Zn2SiO4(OH)2 | 4.5-5(4.5) | Zinc ore, mineral specimen |
| Densonisite | Cu2+Fe3+4(AsO4)3(OH)4�4-5H2O | 3.5-4(3.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Dentrite | (Mn,Fe)O(OH) | 5.0-6.0 | N/A |
| Depmeierite | Ca2(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Derbyite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Derriksite | Cu4(UO2)(VO4)2(OH)4�4-8H2O | 3.5-4(3.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Deschizerite-(Y) | (Y,Dy,Er)(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Descloisite | (Zn,Cu)2(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH)2�4-6H2O | 3-4(3.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Descloizite | PbZn(VO4)(OH) | 3.5-4.0 | Pigment, ore of zinc |
| Devilline | CaCu4(SO4)2(OH)6�3H2O | 2.5-3(2.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Dewindtite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Diaboleite | Pb2Cu(OH)4Cl2 | 3-4(3.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Diallage | (Mg,Fe,Ca)SiO3 | 5-6(5.5) | Gemstone, mineral specimen |
| Diamantoid | C | 10(10.0) | Gemstone, abrasive |
| Diaoyudaoite | NiFe2O4 | 5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Diaphorite | Pb2Ag3Sb3S8 | 3.0-4.0 | N/A |
| Diceratite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Dickite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 | 1.0-2.0 | Refractory, filler, adsorbent |
| Dicksonite | FeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2�4H2O | 3.5-4.0 | N/A |
| Dietrichite | ZnAl2(SO4)4�22H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Dietzite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Digenite | Cu9S5 | 2.5-3(2.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Dihydrite | Cu2(AsO4)(OH) | 3-4(3.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Diiodide | AgI | 2.5-3(2.5) | Photographic materials, mineral specimen |
| Dillnerite | Ni2+Cr4+O4 | 5.5-6.5 | N/A |
| Dilpingite | Mg5(CO3)(OH)4�4H2O | 2.0-3.0 | N/A |
| Dimorphite | Zn5(AsO4)2(OH)4 | 3.5-4(3.5) | Zinc ore, mineral specimen |
| Diomignite | (Mn,Fe)O(OH) | 5.0-6.0 | N/A |
| Diopside | CaMgSi2O6 | 5-6(5.5) | Gemstone, mineral specimen |
| Dioptase | Cu6(SiO4)3(OH)6 | 5-5.5(5.0) | Gemstone, mineral specimen |
| Dipyramidite | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 | 3.0-4.0 | N/A |
| Discrasite | Ag3Sb | 2.5-3.0 | N/A |
| Discredited | Mineral name that is no longer considered valid or useful. | N/A | N/A |
| Dissakisite-(Ce) | (Ce,La,Nd,Pr)Al3(SiO4)2(OH) | 5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Dissimilar | Mineral with properties that are significantly different from other minerals. | N/A | N/A |
| Djurleite | Cu31S16 | 2.5-3(2.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Dolerophanite | Cu2+O2 | 3.5-4(3.5) | Copper ore, mineral specimen |
| Dolomite | CaMg(CO3)2 | 3.5-4(3.5) | Mineral, flux, construction material |
| Donathite | (Fe,Mg)2SiO4 | 5.5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Donnayite-(Y) | (Y,REE)4Al4Si6O20(OH)4 | 5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Dowlingite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)3(AsO4)2(OH)4�4-8H2O | 3.5-4(3.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Dravite | NaMg3Al6(BO3)3Si6O18(OH)4 | 7-7.5(7.0) | Gemstone, mineral specimen |
| Dreyerite | ZrSiO4 | 7.5-8(7.5) | Refractory material, mineral specimen |
| Drezelite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore, mineral specimen |
| Dufrenite | Fe3+2(PO4)(OH)3 | 4-5(4.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Dufrenoysite | Pb2As2S5 | 2.5-3(2.5) | Ore mineral, mineral specimen |
| Dumortierite | Al6.5(BO3)(SiO4)3(O,OH)3 | 7-7.5(7.0) | Gemstone, mineral specimen |
| Dypingite | Mg5(CO3)4(OH)2�4-5H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Mineral specimen |
Descriptions
Dachiardite
A rare zeolite mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms colorless to white crystals and is found in volcanic and hydrothermal environments.
Dalnegorskite
A nickel-magnesium silicate mineral that forms pale green crystals. It is found in hydrothermal deposits and often associated with other nickel-bearing minerals.
Danaite
A rare cobalt-nickel sulfide mineral with a cubic crystal system. It forms silver-white to steel-gray metallic crystals and is found in hydrothermal veins and metamorphic rocks.
Danalite
A rare beryllium silicate mineral with iron and sulfur. It forms pale yellow to brown, euhedral crystals and is typically found in granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Danburite
A rare borate mineral with an orthorhombic crystal system. It forms colorless to white, transparent crystals and is found in granitic pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Datolite
A calcium borosilicate mineral that forms glassy, transparent to translucent crystals. It is occasionally used as an ornamental stone and for mineral collections.
Daveygalleite
A rare copper chromium sulfide mineral that forms black to brownish-black metallic crystals or massive forms.
Davidite
A rare titanium-rich oxide mineral with a trigonal crystal system. It forms black to brownish-black metallic crystals and is found in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Davidite-(Ce)
A rare radioactive titanium oxide mineral that contains cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and thorium. It forms dark brown to black, opaque, prismatic crystals in metamorphic rocks.
Davidite-(La)
A rare radioactive titanium oxide mineral that contains lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and thorium. It forms dark brown to black, opaque, prismatic crystals in metamorphic rocks.
Davisonite
A secondary uranium vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals or crusts.
Dawsonite
A rare carbonate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms white to colorless, translucent crystals and is found in evaporite deposits and alkaline igneous rocks.
Deadenhornite
A rare lead chloride hydroxide mineral with an orthorhombic crystal system. It forms pale green to yellowish-green crystals and is found in oxidized lead deposits.
Dearbornite
A rare manganese oxide mineral with a cubic crystal system. It forms black, metallic crystals and is found in manganese deposits and metamorphic rocks.
Debeaumaontite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to greenish-yellow, tabular crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Deckenite
A rare lead copper chloride mineral that forms pale blue to blue-green acicular crystals or fibrous masses.
Decomposed Mineral
A term used to describe a mineral that has undergone significant chemical or physical alteration, resulting in a loss of its original properties and characteristics.
Decrespignyite-(Y)
A rare radioactive yttrium-cerium-lanthanum uranyl carbonate hydroxide mineral. It forms pale yellow to green, tabular to prismatic crystals and crusts in uranium-bearing ore deposits.
Dee-Ee
A rare copper selenium oxide mineral that forms pale green to blue-green prismatic crystals or fibrous masses.
Deerite
A rare iron silicate hydroxide mineral that forms dark brown to black prismatic crystals or fibrous masses.
Dehydrogenite
A rare manganese oxide mineral with a cubic crystal system. It forms black, metallic crystals and is found in manganese deposits and metamorphic rocks.
Delafossite
A rare copper iron oxide mineral that forms hexagonal crystals or masses with a metallic luster.
Delhayelite
A rare potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium sulfate hydrate mineral that forms colorless to white prismatic crystals or fibrous masses.
Dellasserite
A secondary uranium vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals or crusts.
Deltaite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to greenish-yellow, tabular crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Delvauxite
A rare copper arsenic hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms blue to green, crystalline masses and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Demartinite
A rare manganese oxide mineral that forms dark brown to black prismatic crystals or massive forms.
Demikhovite
A rare copper chloride hydroxide mineral that forms green to blue-green prismatic crystals or crusts.
Dempsterite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to greenish-yellow, tabular crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Dendritic Mineral
A term used to describe a mineral that has grown in a branching, tree-like pattern, often as a result of rapid crystallization or deposition.
Denisovite
A secondary uranium vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals or crusts.
Denningite
A rare zinc silicate hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms white to pale green, fibrous or columnar crystals and is found in zinc-bearing deposits.
Densonisite
A rare copper arsenic hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms blue to green, crystalline masses and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Dentrite
A manganese oxide hydroxide mineral that forms black dendritic or moss-like crystal aggregates.
Depmeierite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to greenish-yellow, tabular crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Derbyite
A secondary uranium vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals or crusts.
Derriksite
A rare copper uranium vanadate hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms green to yellowish-green, tabular crystals and is found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Deschizerite-(Y)
A rare yttrium-bearing uranium vanadate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms pale yellow to greenish-yellow, tabular crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Descloisite
A rare zinc-copper uranium vanadate hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms green to yellow-green, prismatic crystals and is found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Descloizite
A rare lead zinc vanadate hydroxide mineral that forms reddish-brown to black prismatic crystals or crusts.
Devilline
A rare copper sulfate hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms blue to green, tabular crystals and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Dewindtite
A secondary uranium vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals or crusts.
Diaboleite
A rare lead-copper hydroxide chloride mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms blue to green, prismatic crystals and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Diallage
A rare variety of the pyroxene mineral group with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms green to black, lamellar or granular masses and is found in mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks.
Diamantoid
A rare polymorph of carbon with a cubic crystal system. It is the hardest known naturally occurring material and is used as a gemstone and industrial abrasive.
Diaoyudaoite
A rare nickel-iron oxide mineral with a cubic crystal system. It forms black, metallic crystals and is found in nickel-bearing ore deposits.
Diaphorite
A rare lead, silver, antimony sulfide mineral that forms steel-gray to lead-gray metallic prismatic crystals or masses.
Diceratite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to greenish-yellow, tabular crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Dickite
A clay mineral that forms white to pale gray pseudohexagonal crystals or foliated masses.
Dicksonite
A rare iron aluminum phosphate hydrate mineral that forms pale blue to blue-green prismatic crystals or crusts.
Dietrichite
A rare zinc aluminum sulfate hydrate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms white to pale blue, fibrous or acicular crystals and is found in evaporite deposits.
Dietzite
A secondary uranium vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals or crusts.
Digenite
A rare copper sulfide mineral with a cubic crystal system. It forms blue to indigo-blue, metallic crystals and is found in copper ore deposits.
Dihydrite
A rare copper arsenate hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms blue to green, acicular or fibrous crystals and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Diiodide
A rare silver iodide mineral with a hexagonal crystal system. It forms yellow to greenish-yellow, waxy crystals and is found in hydrothermal veins and volcanic environments.
Dillnerite
A rare nickel chromium oxide mineral that forms dark green to black metallic octahedral crystals or aggregates.
Dilpingite
A hydrous magnesium carbonate mineral that forms white to pale green earthy masses or crusts.
Dimorphite
A rare zinc arsenate hydroxide mineral with an orthorhombic crystal system. It forms white to pale green, prismatic crystals and is found in oxidized zinc deposits.
Diomignite
A manganese iron oxide hydroxide mineral that forms dark brown to black massive forms or dendritic crystal aggregates.
Diopside
A common pyroxene mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms green to white, transparent crystals and is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Dioptase
A rare copper silicate hydroxide mineral with a hexagonal crystal system. It forms emerald-green, transparent crystals and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Dipyramidite
A rare copper arsenic oxide hydroxide mineral that forms blue to green prismatic crystals or crusts.
Discrasite
A rare silver antimony mineral that forms silver-white metallic prismatic crystals or massive forms.
Discredited
A mineral name that has been discredited and is no longer recognized by the International Mineralogical Association.
Dissakisite-(Ce)
A rare cerium-bearing aluminum silicate hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to brown, prismatic crystals and is found in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Dissimilar
A mineral with properties that are distinctly different from the typical or expected properties of minerals.
Djurleite
A rare copper sulfide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms dark gray to black, metallic crystals and is found in copper ore deposits.
Dolerophanite
A rare copper oxide mineral with a tetragonal crystal system. It forms dark brown to black, metallic crystals and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Dolomite
A common carbonate mineral with a trigonal crystal system. It forms white, gray, or pink crystals and is found in sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, used as a construction material and flux.
Donathite
A rare iron-magnesium silicate mineral with an orthorhombic crystal system. It forms yellow to green, granular masses and is found in metamorphic rocks.
Donnayite-(Y)
A rare yttrium-bearing aluminosilicate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to brown, prismatic crystals and is found in pegmatites and metamorphic rocks.
Dowlingite
A rare nickel-bearing arsenate hydroxide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms green to blue-green, acicular crystals and is found in nickel-bearing ore deposits.
Dravite
A rare borosilicate mineral with a trigonal crystal system. It forms brown to black, prismatic crystals and is found in metamorphic and pegmatitic environments.
Dreyerite
A rare zirconium silicate mineral with a tetragonal crystal system. It forms colorless to yellow, prismatic crystals and is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks.
Drezelite
A rare uranium vanadate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms yellow to greenish-yellow, tabular crystals and is found in uranium deposits.
Dufrenite
A rare iron phosphate hydroxide mineral with an orthorhombic crystal system. It forms green to brown, fibrous or earthy masses and is found in oxidized iron deposits.
Dufrenoysite
A rare lead arsenic sulfide mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms gray to black, metallic crystals and is found in hydrothermal ore deposits.
Dumortierite
A rare borosilicate mineral with an orthorhombic crystal system. It forms blue to purple, fibrous or columnar crystals and is found in metamorphic and pegmatitic environments.
Dypingite
A rare magnesium carbonate hydroxide hydrate mineral with a monoclinic crystal system. It forms white, earthy or powdery masses and is found in hydromagnesite deposits.
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