There are 99 minerals that start with the letter N. From Nacaphite to Nyerereite. 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 N
Minerals | chemical composition | Mohs hardness | common uses |
---|---|---|---|
Nacaphite | Nadineite | Nalipoite | Nanocrystalline Uraninite |
Nacreous Quartz | SiO2 | 7.0(7.0) | Decorative stones |
Nacrite | Al2Si2O5(OH)4 | 2-2.5(2.25) | Used in the manufacture of ceramics, refractories, and catalysts. |
Nafertisite | Na2(Fe2+,Mg)2Ti4O11�2H2O | 5-6(5.5) | none |
Nagatelite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.5) | Uranium ore |
Nagelschmidtite | Ca6(SiO4)2CO3 | 5-6(5.5) | None |
Nagyagite | Pb5Au(Te,Sb)4S5-8 | 1.5-2.0(1.75) | Ore of gold and tellurium |
Nahcolite | NaHCO3 | 2.5-3(2.75) | Used as a mild antacid, in fire extinguishers, and as a food additive. |
Nakauriite | K(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.5) | Uranium ore |
Nalipoite | (Mg,Fe2+)2(VO4)(OH) | 4-5(4.5) | None |
Nambulite | NaCa2Mn2+2(AsO4)2(OH)2�4H2O | 3-4(3.5) | none |
Namuwite | Zn4(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Radioactive waste management |
Nanlingite | Bi(AsO4)(OH) | 3.5-4(3.75) | None |
Nanocrystalline Hydroxyapatite | Ca5(PO4)3(OH) | 5-6(5.5) | bone repair, dental applications |
Nanpingite | Ca2(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.5-3(2.75) | None |
Nantokite | CuCl | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Copper production |
Napalite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | none |
Naphthene | C10H18 | 1.5-2(1.75) | Used as a solvent, lubricant, and in the production of other chemicals. |
Napurite | Na3Mn2+5(AsO4)4�8H2O | 3-4(3.5) | none |
Narcissite | Pb2(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | None |
Narsarsukite | Na2Ti2O5(O,F)2 | 5-6(5.5) | Rare mineral used in specialty ceramics and glass |
Nashite | Ni2+Fe3+2(AsO4)2(OH)2�4-6H2O | 4-5(4.5) | None |
Nasonite | Ca2Pb3(AsO4)3Cl | 3.5-4.0(3.5) | Mineral specimen |
Natanite | NaMnSi2O6 | 5.5-6.0(5.5) | Ceramic, glass |
Nathanite | CaNb2O6 | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | Ceramic, refractory |
Natrite | Na2CO3 | 1-1.5(1.25) | Soda ash production |
Natrocarbonatite | (Na,K)2CO3 | 2.5-3.5(2.5) | none |
Natrofairchildite | Na3Ca(CO3)2 | 2.5-3(2.75) | Not commonly used |
Natrolite | Na2Al2Si3O10�2H2O | 5-5.5(5.25) | Used in the production of zeolites, catalysts, and water softeners. |
Natrophilite | Na2MnPO4F | 4.5-5.0(4.5) | Mineral specimen |
Naufragate | Cu4(UO2)(SeO3)2O2�4H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | none |
Naujakasite | Na6(UO2)4(SO4)5(OH)4?14H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Naumannite | Ag2Se | 2.0-2.5(2.0) | Mineral specimen |
Navajoite | CaVO3(OH) | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Mineral specimen |
Neber-Hawkite | HgNCl | 2.0-2.5(2.0) | Mineral specimen |
Nefedovite | (Mg,Fe)3(VO4)2(OH)2 | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | Mineral specimen |
Neffedovite | (Ni,Fe)3(AsO4)2�8H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | Ore of nickel and arsenic |
Neftedosite | CuAl4(SO4)(OH)12?3H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Neilsonite | Ca2(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Radioactive waste management |
Nekoite | Ca3Si2O7(OH)2?2H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nelenite | Ca3(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | none |
Neltnerite | Cu(AsO4) | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | Ore of copper and arsenic |
Neotocite | FeO?SiO2?nH2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nepheline | (Na,K)AlSiO4 | 5.5-6(5.75) | Used in the manufacture of glass, ceramics, and as a gemstone. |
Nephrite | Ca2(Mg,Fe)5Si8O22(OH)2 | 6-6.5(6.25) | Used as a gemstone and in the production of carved objects. |
Neptunite | K2Na4Fe2+2Ti4+Si8O22 | 5-6(5.5) | Not commonly used |
Nespelite | (Na,Ca)2(Si,Al)3O8 | 6-7(6.5) | Not commonly used |
Nesquehonite | MgCO3�3H2O | 2.5-3(2.75) | Used in the production of magnesium-based products and as a soil amendment. |
Neumeyerite | K2Ca3Si9O22(OH)4 | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | collector’s item |
Neursenite | Ca(UO2)2(V2O8)?6-8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Newberyite | MgHPO4�3H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | fertilizer, animal feed |
Neyite | Cu6Pb25Bi7S46 | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | Ore of copper, lead, and bismuth |
Niccolite | NiAs | 5-5.5(5.25) | Used as a source of nickel and in the production of certain alloys. |
Nickelbischofite | NiCl2�6H2O | 2.0-2.5(2.25) | collector’s item |
Nickelhexahydrite | NiSO4�6H2O | 2.0-2.5(2.25) | collector’s item |
Nickeliferous Serpentine | Ni-bearing (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4 | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | ceramic, refractory |
Nickeline | NiAs | 5.0-5.5(5.25) | metal production, jewelry |
Nickelosite | NiO | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | Ore of nickel |
Nickwavellite | NiAl4(PO4)3(OH)9�4-6H2O | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | Ore of nickel and phosphate |
Nicrom | (Ni,Cr) | 5.5-6.5(6.0) | alloy production |
Nielsbohrite | (Na,Ca)2Al2Si3O10�2H2O | 5.0-5.5(5.25) | collector’s item |
Nielsen | NaAl(SO4)2 | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nigerite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)(OH)2 | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Niggli | Ni(AsO4)�6-8H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | collector’s item |
Niggliite | PtSn | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | Ore of platinum and tin |
Nikischerite | NaFe2+3(SO4)2(OH)4�2-4H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | collector’s item |
Nimite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | ceramic, refractory |
Niningerite | MgAl2O4 | 8.0-8.5(8.25) | abrasive, refractory |
Niobite | (Fe,Mn)(Nb,Ta)2O6 | 5-6(5.5) | Used in the production of superconductors, electronics, and specialized alloys. |
Niobocarbide | (Fe,Ni)2NbC | 6.5-7.0(6.75) | abrasives, refractory materials |
Niobophyllite | Na3(Mn,Fe)4(Nb,Ti)2Si4O14(OH)2 | 4-5(4.5) | Not commonly used |
Nishihiraite | NaCa(UO2)2(VO4)2?4-6H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nitrammite | NH4Fe(SO4)2?6H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nitratine | NaNO3 | 1.5-2(1.75) | Used as a fertilizer, in the production of explosives, and in the manufacture of certain chemicals. |
Nitratite | NaNO3 | 1.5-2(1.75) | Fertilizer, explosives |
Nitrobarite | Ba(NO3)2 | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nitrocalcite | Ca(NO3)2�4H2O | 1.0-2.0(1.5) | Fertilizer |
Nitrogen | N2 | 1-1.5(1.25) | Used in the production of various chemicals, as a refrigerant, and in the food and beverage industry. |
Nitromagnesite | Mg(NO3)2?6H2O | 1-2(1.5) | Not commonly used |
Nobleite | Ca(BO2)2?3H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nodogokenite | (Al,Fe3+)2 Si2O6(OH)2 | 4-5(4.5) | Not commonly used |
Nolanite | (V,Fe3+)4O5(OH) | 4.5-5.0(4.75) | collector’s item |
Nolzeite | Hg2+Hg4+2S3 | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | Mercury production |
Nordite-(La) | NaLa(Mn,Mg)2(Si,Ge)4O11 | 5-6(5.5) | Not commonly used |
Nordstrandite | Al(OH)3 | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | filler, adsorbent |
Norrishite | K(Mn4+,Mn3+)8O16 | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | collector’s item |
Norrishite-(Mg) | (Mg,Ni,Fe)6(Si,Al)4O10(OH)8 | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | Ore of nickel |
Norsethite | BaMg(CO3)2 | 4-5(4.5) | Not commonly used |
Nosean | Na8Al6Si6O24(SO4) | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | pigment, construction |
Novacekite | Mg(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | collector’s item |
Nuclearite | UO2(OH) | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | collector’s item |
Nuevaite | Ca(UO2)2(AsO4)2?8H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Nuffieldite | Pb2+2(Cr,Fe3+,Al)2O5 | 5-6(5.5) | Not commonly used |
Nuggarite | Na4Ca2(UO2)2[(VO4)2]2�6-8H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | collector’s item |
Nukutunite | (Fe3+,Al)O(OH) | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | none |
Numanoite | (Ni,Mg,Fe)2(VO4)(OH) | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | none |
Nunggurnaite | NaAl(SO4)2�6H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | none |
Nuraginite | NaFe3+(SO4)2(OH) | 3-4(3.5) | Not commonly used |
Nyerereite | (Na,K)2Ca(CO3)2 | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | none |
Descriptions
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