There are 60 minerals that start with the letter K. From Kaersutite to Kyanite. 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 K
| Minerals | chemical composition | Mohs hardness | common uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaersutite | NaCa2(Mg,Fe)4TiAl(SiO4)2(O,OH,F)2 | 5-6(5.5) | mineral specimen |
| Kainite | KMgCl�3H2O | 2-2.5(2.25) | Industrial mineral, source of potash and magnesium |
| Kalsilite | KAlSiO4 | 6-6.5(6.25) | Ceramic applications |
| Kamacite | Fe,Ni | 4-5(4.5) | Meteorite identification |
| Kamchatkite | Cu(AsO4)(OH) | 3.5-4(3.75) | N/A |
| Kamiokite | Mo4+O | 6-7(6.5) | N/A |
| Kangite | (Na,Ca)(Ti,Mg,Al)(Si,Al)2O6 | 6-7(6.5) | mineral specimen |
| Kanite | Karabutaite | Karelianite | Karlsruheite |
| Kannanite | K3NaMg2(SiO4)3 | 6-6.5(6.25) | N/A |
| Kanoite | Mg2(VO4)(OH) | 5-6(5.5) | mineral specimen |
| Kanonaite | PbCuBi(VO4)2 | 3-4(3.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kanwalite | CaAl2Si2O8�2H2O | 6-7(6.5) | N/A |
| Kaolianite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 | 2-2.5(2.25) | Ceramics, paper, paint |
| Kaolinite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 | 2-2.5(2.25) | Ceramics, paper, paint |
| Karelianite | V2O3 | 8-9(8.5) | mineral specimen |
| Karolinite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3.5-4(3.75) | N/A |
| Karpatite | C21H14 | 1.5-2(1.75) | Collector’s item |
| Karyopirite | FeAsS | 6-6.5(6.25) | Collector’s item |
| Kasolite | Pb(UO2)SiO4�H2O | 3-4(3.5) | Uranium ore |
| Kassite | CaTi2O4(OH)2 | 5-6(5.5) | N/A |
| Katerinopoulite | NiSb | 6-7(6.5) | N/A |
| Katerinopoulite-(Zn) | (Zn,Ni)Sb | 5-6(5.5) | N/A |
| Katophorite | NaCa2(Mg,Fe2+)4(Al,Fe3+)(Si7Al)O22(OH)2 | 5-6(5.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kaumontite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore |
| Kawazulite | Bi2Te2Se | 2.5-3(2.75) | Collector’s item |
| Keilhauite | (Ca,Ce,Na)(Ti,Nb,Ta)O4 | 5-6(5.5) | Collector’s item |
| Keilite | (Fe,Mg)O | 5.5-6(5.75) | N/A |
| Kellywoodite | Mg5(VO4)2(OH)4 | 5-6(5.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kenmazeite | CaCu2+2(AsO4)2�2-4H2O | 3.5-4(3.75) | Collector’s item |
| Kernite | Na2B4O6(OH)2�3H2O | 1-1.5(1.25) | Sodium borate, detergents |
| Kettnerite | CaUO2VO4(OH) | 4-5(4.5) | Uranium ore |
| Kettnerite-Ca | (Ca,Na)UO2VO4�2-4H2O | 4-5(4.5) | Uranium ore |
| Khibinskite | Na3Ca(CO3)2Cl | 2.5-3(2.75) | Collector’s item |
| Khristovite-(Ce) | CeCaV(VO4)2 | 4-5(4.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kilbrickenite | Pb4Cu4(SO4)(CO3)4(OH)6 | 3-4(3.5) | Collector’s item |
| Killinite | K(Mn2+,Fe2+,Mg)(VO4) | 3.5-4(3.75) | Collector’s item |
| Kinichilite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore |
| Kinnesite | (Zn,Mg)CO3 | 4-4.5(4.25) | Collector’s item |
| Kinoshitalite | BaMg3(Al,Si)4O10(OH)2 | 2-3(2.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kintoreite | PbFe3+(SO4)(PO4)(OH) | 3.5-4(3.75) | Collector’s item |
| Kirschsteinite | CaFeSiO4 | 5-6(5.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kischtymite | (Fe3+,Al)O(OH) | 4-5(4.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kitkaite | (Fe2+,Mn2+)UO2)2V2O8�6-8H2O | 3-4(3.5) | Uranium ore |
| Kittatinnyite | Pb(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Uranium ore |
| Kivuite | Cu2+4Fe3+O(AsO4)2 | 4-5(4.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kleemanite | NaZn4(VO4)3(OH)4�3-4H2O | 3.5-4(3.75) | Collector’s item |
| Kleinite | HgN | 1-2(1.5) | Collector’s item |
| Knorringite | Mg3Cr2(SiO4)3 | 7.5-8(7.75) | Collector’s item |
| Kobellite | PbCuBiS3 | 2-3(2.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kockite | NiSe | 5-6(5.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kolwezite | Cu2+Co3O8�4-6H2O | 4-5(4.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kostovite | CuAuTe4 | 2-3(2.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kostylevite | Na2Cu2+(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3-4(3.5) | Uranium ore |
| Krausite | K(Fe3+,Al)(SO4)2�6H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Collector’s item |
| Krennerite | AuTe2 | 2-3(2.5) | Gold ore |
| Krutaite | CuSe2 | 4-5(4.5) | Collector’s item |
| Kulanite | PbUO2VO4(OH) | 4-5(4.5) | Uranium ore |
| Kunzite | LiAl(SiO3)2 | 5.5-7(6.25) | Gemstone |
| Kutnohorite | Ca(Mn2+,Mg,Fe2+)(CO3)2 | 3.5-4(3.75) | Collector’s item |
| Kyanite | Al2SiO5 | 5-7(6) | Ceramics, refractories |
Descriptions
Kaersutite
A rare amphibole mineral that is black or dark brown in color. It typically forms in alkaline igneous rocks such as nepheline syenites and basalts.
Kainite
A naturally occurring hydrous potassium-magnesium chloride mineral. It forms colorless to white, translucent crystals or masses.
Kalsilite
A rare potassium aluminum silicate mineral that typically forms small, colorless to white crystals.
Kamacite
An iron-nickel alloy mineral that is the more nickel-poor component of meteoritic iron. It forms elongated, parallel-oriented bands in meteorites.
Kamchatkite
A rare copper arsonate mineral found in hydrothermal ore deposits. It has a blue-green color and forms prismatic crystals.
Kamiokite
A rare molybdenum oxide mineral found in metamorphic rocks. It has a dark gray to black color and metallic luster.
Kangite
A rare pyroxene mineral that forms pale green to greenish-white prismatic crystals. It is found in alkaline basalts and syenites.
Kanite
Katangaite
Kannanite
A rare potassium-sodium-magnesium silicate mineral found in pegmatites. It has a pale green to white color and forms prismatic crystals.
Kanoite
A rare vanadium-bearing mineral that forms green to yellow-green prismatic crystals. It is found in oxidized vanadium deposits.
Kanonaite
A rare lead-copper-bismuth vanadate mineral that forms dark greenish-black to black prismatic crystals.
Kanwalite
A rare calcium aluminosilicate mineral found in metamorphic rocks. It has a white to pale gray color and forms tabular crystals.
Kaolianite
A dimorph of kaolinite, a common clay mineral. It forms white, soft, earthy masses or aggregates of platy crystals.
Kaolinite
A common clay mineral that forms white, soft, earthy masses or aggregates of platy crystals. It is an important industrial mineral.
Karelianite
A rare oxide mineral that forms black to dark gray metallic crystals. It is found in metamorphic rocks and can be associated with chromium deposits.
Karolinite
A rare lead uranyl vanadate mineral found in oxidized uranium deposits. It has a yellow to greenish-yellow color and forms acicular crystals.
Karpatite
A rare hydrocarbon mineral that forms dark brown to black, brittle crystals or masses.
Karyopirite
A rare iron arsenic sulfide mineral that forms silver-gray to steel-gray metallic crystals or masses.
Kasolite
A lead uranyl silicate mineral that forms yellow to yellowish-green prismatic crystals or masses.
Kassite
A rare calcium titanium oxide hydroxide mineral found in metamorphic rocks. It has a yellow to brown color and forms prismatic crystals.
Katerinopoulite
A rare nickel antimony mineral found in hydrothermal ore deposits. It has a silvery-gray color and metallic luster.
Katerinopoulite-(Zn)
A rare zinc-nickel antimony mineral found in hydrothermal ore deposits. It has a silvery-gray color and metallic luster.
Katophorite
A rare sodium-calcium-magnesium-iron amphibole mineral that forms black to dark green prismatic crystals.
Kaumontite
A hydrous calcium uranyl vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow tabular or prismatic crystals.
Kawazulite
A rare bismuth tellurium selenide mineral that forms silver-gray to steel-gray metallic crystals or masses.
Keilhauite
A rare calcium-cerium-sodium titanium-niobium-tantalum oxide mineral that forms black to brownish-black prismatic crystals.
Keilite
A rare iron-magnesium oxide mineral found in meteorites. It has a black to dark gray color and metallic luster.
Kellywoodite
A rare magnesium vanadate hydroxide mineral that forms blue to green platy or fibrous crystals.
Kenmazeite
A rare hydrous calcium copper arsenate mineral that forms light blue to blue-green crystals or granular aggregates.
Kernite
A hydrous sodium borate mineral that forms colorless to white, transparent to translucent crystals or massive deposits.
Kettnerite
A rare calcium uranyl vanadate hydroxide mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow tabular crystals.
Kettnerite-Ca
A rare calcium-sodium uranyl vanadate hydrate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow tabular crystals.
Khibinskite
A rare sodium calcium carbonate chloride mineral that forms white to pale yellow, tabular to prismatic crystals.
Khristovite-(Ce)
A rare cerium calcium vanadate mineral that forms yellow to yellowish-green prismatic crystals.
Kilbrickenite
A rare lead copper sulfate carbonate hydroxide mineral that forms deep blue to blue-green prismatic crystals.
Killinite
A rare potassium manganese iron magnesium vanadate mineral that forms dark brown to black prismatic crystals.
Kinichilite
A hydrous calcium uranyl vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals.
Kinnesite
A rare zinc-magnesium carbonate mineral that forms white to pale green, rhombohedral crystals or granular masses.
Kinoshitalite
A rare barium magnesium aluminosilicate hydroxide mineral that forms brown to greenish-brown platy crystals.
Kintoreite
A rare lead iron sulfate phosphate hydroxide mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals.
Kirschsteinite
A rare calcium iron silicate mineral that forms yellow to brownish-yellow prismatic crystals.
Kischtymite
A rare iron aluminum oxide hydroxide mineral that forms reddish-brown to dark brown platy or prismatic crystals.
Kitkaite
A hydrous iron-manganese uranyl vanadate mineral that forms green to yellowish-green tabular crystals.
Kittatinnyite
A hydrous lead uranyl vanadate mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals.
Kivuite
A rare copper iron arsenate mineral that forms blue to greenish-blue prismatic crystals.
Kleemanite
A rare hydrous sodium zinc vanadate mineral that forms pale green to bluish-green prismatic crystals.
Kleinite
A rare mercury nitride mineral that forms yellow to orange-yellow, flexible, waxy crystals.
Knorringite
A rare magnesium chromium silicate mineral that forms green to dark green cubic crystals.
Kobellite
A rare lead copper bismuth sulfide mineral that forms silver-gray to steel-gray metallic crystals or masses.
Kockite
A rare nickel selenide mineral that forms silver-gray to steel-gray metallic crystals or masses.
Kolwezite
A rare hydrous copper cobalt oxide mineral that forms blue to blue-green prismatic crystals.
Kostovite
A rare copper gold telluride mineral that forms yellow to gold-yellow metallic crystals or masses.
Kostylevite
A hydrous sodium copper uranyl vanadate mineral that forms bright green to yellow-green prismatic crystals.
Krausite
A rare hydrous potassium iron aluminum sulfate mineral that forms yellow to reddish-brown prismatic crystals.
Krennerite
A rare gold telluride mineral that forms yellow to gold-yellow metallic crystals or masses.
Krutaite
A rare copper selenide mineral that forms steel-gray to silver-gray metallic crystals or masses.
Kulanite
A rare lead uranyl vanadate hydroxide mineral that forms yellow to greenish-yellow prismatic crystals.
Kunzite
A variety of the mineral spodumene that forms pale lilac to pink, transparent, gemmy crystals.
Kutnohorite
A rare calcium manganese-magnesium-iron carbonate mineral that forms pink to pale red rhombohedral crystals.
Kyanite
A blue to gray aluminosilicate mineral that forms bladed, elongated crystals. It is a polymorphic form of andalusite and sillimanite.
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