There are 51 minerals that start with the letter G. From Gadolinite to Gyrolite. 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 G
| Minerals | chemical composition | Mohs hardness | common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gadolinite | Be2Fe2+Y2(SiO4)2O2 | 7.0-7.5(7.5) | Used in the production of specialty glasses and ceramics |
| Gadolinite-(Y) | (Y,Ce,Fe,La)2FeBe2Si2O10 | 6.5-7(6.5) | rare earth element production |
| Gageite | Ca4Mn2+5O11(OH) | 3-4(3.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Gahnite | ZnAl2O4 | 7.5-8.0(8.0) | Used in the production of specialty ceramics and refractories |
| Gainesite | (UO2)2CO3(OH)3 | 2.5-3(2.75) | radioactive isotope production |
| Galaxite | MnAl2O4 | 5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
| Galena | PbS | 2.5-2.75(2.5) | The principal ore of lead, used in the production of batteries, radiation shielding, and pigments |
| Gananite | Cu3(VO4)2(OH)4 | 3.5-4(3.75) | Mineral specimen |
| Gangue | Various | 3-7(5.0) | Mineral processing |
| Ganomalite | Pb2Ca(VO4)(OH) | 3.5-4.0(3.5) | Used as a minor ore of lead and vanadium |
| Ganophyllite | K(Ca,Na)2(Mg,Fe2+)6(Si,Al)12O30(OH)10 | 2-3(2.5) | none |
| Garnet | (Fe,Mg,Ca,Mn)3(Al,Fe,Cr)2(SiO4)3 | 6.5-7.5(7.0) | Used in abrasives, jewelry, and as gemstones |
| Gartrellite | Cu(VO4)(OH) | 3.5-4(3.75) | none |
| Gaylussite | Na2Ca(CO3)2�5H2O | 2.0-2.5(2.0) | Used as a source of sodium and calcium |
| Geerite | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 | 3.5-4.0(3.5) | No common uses |
| Gehlenite | Ca2Al2SiO7 | 5-6(5.5) | refractory materials |
| Geigerite | UO2 | 5-6(5.5) | none |
| Geikielite | MgTiO3 | 5-6(5.5) | mineral pigments |
| Genthelvite | Zn4Be3(SiO4)3S | 6.0-6.5(6.0) | No common uses |
| Georgechaoite | Ca2Mg5Si8O22(OH)2 | 5-6(5.5) | none |
| Gerenite-(Y) | (Y,REE)3Al5O12 | 7.5-8(7.75) | gemstone |
| Germanite | Cu26Fe4(Ge,As,Si)2S32 | 4.5-5.0(4.5) | No common uses |
| Gersdorffite | NiAsS | 5.5-6.0(5.5) | Used as a minor ore of nickel |
| Getscheite | Cu2+Ca(VO4)(OH) | 3.5-4(3.75) | none |
| Gibbsite | Al(OH)3 | 2.5-3(2.75) | abrasives, fillers |
| Gillespite | BaFe2+Si4O10 | 5-6(5.5) | none |
| Gillespite-II | BaFe2+Si4O10 | 5-6(5.5) | none |
| Gismondine | CaAl2Si2O8�4H2O | 4-5(4.5) | construction materials |
| Gladite | CuPbBiS3 | 2.5-3(2.75) | none |
| Glauberite | Na2Ca(SO4)2 | 2.5-3.0(2.5) | Used in the production of sodium sulfate and as a source of calcium |
| Glauconite | (K,Na)(Fe3+,Al,Mg)2(Si,Al)4O10(OH)2 | 2.0-2.5(2.0) | Used as a soil conditioner and source of potassium |
| Glaucophane | Na2Mg3Al2(Si8O22)(OH)2 | 6.0-6.5(6.0) | Used as a minor gem material |
| Gmelinite | (Na,Ca)2(Al2Si4)12�15H2O | 4.5-5.0(4.5) | No common uses |
| Goethite | FeO(OH) | 5.0-5.5(5.0) | pigment, iron ore, abrasive |
| Gold | Au | 2.5-3.0(2.5) | Used in jewelry, electronics, and dentistry |
| Goldmanite | Ca3V2(SiO4)3 | 7.0-7.5(7.0) | No common uses |
| Gonyerite | MnFe3+4(SiO4)3(OH)4 | 4.5-5.0(4.5) | No common uses |
| Goosecreekite | CaAl2Si4O10�6H2O | 3.5-4.0(3.5) | No common uses |
| Goshenite | Be4Si O10 | 7.5-8.0(7.5) | Used as a gemstone and in the production of beryllium oxide ceramics |
| Gouchenite | (Mg,Fe2+)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 | 2.0-2.5(2.0) | No common uses |
| Goyazite | SrAl3(PO4)(OH)5�H2O | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | No common uses |
| Graphite | C | 1.0-2.0(1.5) | lubricants, batteries, refractories, pencils |
| Greigite | Fe3S4 | 3.5-4.0(3.5) | No common uses |
| Grossular | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3 | 7.0-7.5(7.0) | Used as a gemstone and in the production of specialty ceramics |
| Groutite | MnO(OH) | 4.5-5.0(4.5) | No common uses |
| Guarinite | CaF2�CaCl2 | 2.5-3.0(2.5) | No common uses |
| Guildite | Cu2(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3.0-3.5(3.0) | No common uses |
| Gummite | UO2�nH2O | 4.0-5.0(4.0) | No common uses |
| Guyanaite | CrO(OH) | 4.0-4.5(4.0) | No common uses |
| Gypsum | CaSO4�2H2O | 1.5-2.0(2.0) | Used in the production of plaster of Paris, cement, and as a soil amendment |
| Gyrolite | Ca16Si24O60(OH)8�12H2O | 3.5-4.0(3.5) | No common uses |
Descriptions
Gadolinite
A rare silicate mineral containing the rare earth elements yttrium, cerium, and other lanthanides. It forms monoclinic crystals and has a distinctive black or green-black color.
Gadolinite-(Y)
A rare earth silicate mineral with a black or dark green color. It is the primary source of yttrium and other rare earth elements.
Gageite
Calcium manganese oxide hydroxide mineral, forms yellow-orange to brown prismatic crystals.
Gahnite
A rare spinel mineral that forms blue, green, or black octahedral crystals. It is typically found in metamorphic and igneous rocks.
Gainesite
A rare uranyl carbonate hydroxide mineral with a bright yellow or orange color. It is a secondary uranium mineral found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Galaxite
Manganese aluminum oxide mineral, forms black octahedral crystals.
Galena
A lead sulfide mineral that forms gray, cubic crystals. It is the primary ore of lead and is also a source of silver.
Gananite
Copper vanadate hydroxide mineral, forms green to blue acicular crystals.
Gangue
Non-valuable mineral matter found in ore deposits, typically quartz, calcite, or pyrite.
Ganomalite
A rare lead vanadate mineral that forms pale yellow to brown, prismatic crystals. It is found in oxidized lead-vanadium deposits.
Ganophyllite
A rare hydrous potassium, calcium, and magnesium silicate mineral with a platy or foliated structure. It is typically found in metamorphic rocks.
Garnet
A group of silicate minerals that come in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, brown, and black. They are commonly used in jewelry and as gemstones.
Gartrellite
A rare copper vanadate hydroxide mineral with a bright green color. It forms small, hexagonal crystals and is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Gaylussite
A rare carbonate mineral that forms colorless to white, monoclinic crystals. It is found in evaporite deposits and saline lake environments.
Geerite
A rare copper arsenic hydroxide mineral that forms dark green, prismatic crystals. It is found in oxidized copper deposits.
Gehlenite
A calcium aluminum silicate mineral that forms in high-temperature metamorphic or igneous rocks. It is used in the production of refractory materials and cement.
Geigerite
A rare uranium oxide mineral with a black or dark green color. It is a secondary uranium mineral found in oxidized uranium deposits.
Geikielite
A magnesium titanium oxide mineral with a brown or reddish-brown color. It is used as a pigment and in the production of specialized ceramics.
Genthelvite
A rare beryllium silicate mineral that forms yellow to green, isometric crystals. It is found in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.
Georgechaoite
A rare calcium magnesium silicate hydroxide mineral with a pale green or white color. It forms tabular or prismatic crystals in metamorphic rocks.
Gerenite-(Y)
A rare earth element garnet mineral with a pale yellow, green, or brown color. It is occasionally used as a gemstone.
Germanite
A rare copper, iron, and germanium sulfide mineral that forms metallic, gray to black, cubic crystals. It is found in copper-bearing ore deposits.
Gersdorffite
A nickel arsenic sulfide mineral that forms silver-white to pale brass-yellow, isometric crystals. It is found in hydrothermal veins and metamorphic rocks.
Getscheite
A rare copper calcium vanadate hydroxide mineral with a bright green color. It forms small, hexagonal crystals in oxidized copper deposits.
Gibbsite
A common aluminum hydroxide mineral that forms in weathered or altered rocks. It is used as an abrasive, filler, and source of aluminum.
Gillespite
A rare barium iron silicate mineral with a deep reddish-brown color. It is found in high-temperature metamorphic or igneous rocks.
Gillespite-II
A rare polymorph of gillespite, a barium iron silicate mineral with a deep reddish-brown color. It is found in high-temperature metamorphic or igneous rocks.
Gismondine
A calcium aluminosilicate hydrate mineral that forms colorless or white, cubic crystals. It is used in the production of construction materials.
Gladite
A rare copper, lead, and bismuth sulfide mineral with a silver-gray color. It is found in hydrothermal ore deposits.
Glauberite
A rare sulfate mineral that forms colorless to white, monoclinic crystals. It is found in evaporite deposits and saline lake environments.
Glauconite
A green, iron-rich clay mineral that forms in marine sedimentary environments. It is commonly found in sandstones and shales.
Glaucophane
A blue amphibole mineral that forms prismatic, acicular, or columnar crystals. It is a characteristic mineral of high-pressure metamorphic rocks known as blueschists.
Gmelinite
A rare zeolite mineral that forms white to pale yellow, hexagonal crystals. It is found in volcanic and sedimentary rocks.
Goethite
A common iron oxyhydroxide mineral that is an important iron ore and also used as a pigment and abrasive material.
Gold
A highly valuable, rare, and dense metallic element that is found in its native form. It is prized for its luster, malleability, and resistance to corrosion.
Goldmanite
A rare vanadium-bearing garnet mineral that forms green, isometric crystals. It is found in metamorphic and igneous rocks.
Gonyerite
A rare manganese iron silicate mineral that forms brown, fibrous or acicular crystals. It is found in manganese ore deposits.
Goosecreekite
A rare zeolite mineral that forms white to colorless, tabular crystals. It is found in basaltic rocks and hydrothermal veins.
Goshenite
A rare beryllium silicate mineral that forms colorless, transparent crystals. It is the beryllium-rich variety of the beryl mineral group.
Gouchenite
A rare magnesium iron silicate hydroxide mineral that forms greenish-gray, platy crystals. It is found in metamorphic rocks.
Goyazite
A rare strontium aluminum phosphate hydroxide mineral that forms white to yellow, tabular crystals. It is found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatites.
Graphite
A soft, black, crystalline form of carbon with a unique layered structure. It is used in a variety of applications, including lubricants, batteries, refractories, and pencils.
Greigite
A rare iron sulfide mineral that forms black, isometric crystals. It is found in anoxic sedimentary environments and is of interest for its magnetic properties.
Grossular
A calcium aluminum garnet mineral that forms yellow, orange, or green, isometric crystals. It is a common component of metamorphic and igneous rocks.
Groutite
A rare manganese oxide hydroxide mineral that forms black, prismatic crystals. It is found in manganese ore deposits.
Guarinite
A rare calcium fluoride-calcium chloride mineral that forms colorless, cubic crystals. It is found in evaporite deposits.
Guildite
A rare copper uranium vanadate hydrate mineral that forms bright green, tabular crystals. It is found in oxidized uranium-vanadium deposits.
Gummite
A complex, hydrated uranium oxide mineral that forms yellow to orange, massive or waxy-looking crusts. It is a product of the alteration of uraninite.
Guyanaite
A rare chromium oxide hydroxide mineral that forms green, acicular crystals. It is found in chromium-rich metamorphic rocks.
Gypsum
A common sulfate mineral that forms colorless to white, monoclinic crystals. It is found in sedimentary environments and is a primary component of drywall.
Gyrolite
A rare calcium silicate hydrate mineral that forms colorless to white, platy or fibrous crystals. It is found in basaltic rocks and hydrothermal veins.
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