There are 117 minerals that start with the letter W. From Wad to Wyomingite. 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 W
Minerals | chemical composition | Mohs hardness | common uses |
---|---|---|---|
Wad | Manganese and iron oxides | 1-10(1-4) | Used as a pigment, refractory material, and in the production of dry-cell batteries. |
Wadeite | K2ZrSi3O9 | 5.0-6.0 | None |
Wadsleyite | (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 | 7.5-8.0(7.75) | Used in geologic research |
Wagnerite | Magnesium phosphate | 5-5.5 | Used in the manufacturing of fertilizers and as a refractory material. |
Wairakite | CaAl2Si4O12�2H2O | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | Construction, abrasives |
Wairauite | CoFe | 5.5-6.0(5.5) | Not commonly used |
Wakabayashilite | (Zn,Cd)2(VO4)(Cl,Br) | 3-4(3.5) | Collector’s mineral |
Wakefieldite | (Ce,La,Nd)VO4 | 4.0-5.0 | None |
Wakefieldite-(Ce) | CeVO4 | 4.5-5.0(4.75) | none |
Wakita | Mg2Mn5+Sb5+O8 | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | none |
Waldheimia | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Walentaite | Barium titanium vanadium oxide | 5.5-6 | Used in the production of ceramic capacitors and dielectric materials. |
Walfordite | Cu4Bi5Cl13�21H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | none |
Walkerite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | Radioactive waste storage |
Walpurgite | Bi(UO2)4(AsO4)2(OH)4�4H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Not commonly used |
Walstromite | CaBa2(VO4)2 | 4-5(4.5) | mineral specimens |
Walthierite | Cu3+2Al3O6(VO4)(OH) | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | none |
Wangdrite | NaSc(CO3)2 | 3.0-4.0 | None |
Wangerite | (Mg,Ni,Fe2+)2SiO4 | 5.5-6.0(5.75) | none |
Wapplerite | (Ca,Mg,Fe)AsO4�2H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Mineral collector’s item |
Wardite | Sodium aluminum phosphate hydroxide | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of fertilizers and as a source of phosphorus. |
Wardsmithite | CaMgVOx(OH) | 3-4(3.5) | mineral specimens |
Wareite | Mg3(BO3)2 | 7.0-8.0(7.5) | Abrasives, ceramics |
Warranite | (Mg,Fe)2V2O7 | 5-6(5.5) | Rare mineral specimen |
Warrenite | CaSiO3 | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | none |
Warrensohnite | Mn2+Mn3+2O4 | 5.5-6(5.75) | mineral specimens |
Warwickite | Magnesium iron boron oxide | 6-6.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a refractory. |
Washingtonite | Mn2+TiO4 | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | none |
Wasserblauite | (Ba,Sr)SO4�H2O | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | none |
Watanabite | Cu4+xFe4-x(AsO4)4(OH)4�4-5H2O | 3-4(3.5) | Mineral specimen |
Wateringite | Pb8(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH)6�4H2O | 2-3(2.5) | Rare mineral specimen |
Waterite | Calcium magnesium carbonate hydroxide | 2-3 | Used as a source of magnesium and in the production of cement. |
Watkinsonite | Cu2+6(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH)4 � 8-10H2O | 2-3(2.5) | mineral specimens |
Watsonite | Pb3Cu2(AsO4)2Cl2 | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | none |
Wauschakite | Mg2(VO4)(OH) | 6.0-7.0(6.5) | Mineral collector’s item |
Waveite | (Mg,Fe)2+3(VO4)2�4H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Mineral collector’s item |
Wavellite | Aluminum phosphate hydroxide | 3.5-4 | Used in the production of fertilizers and as a source of phosphorus. |
Wavite | Pb2Al(VO4)(OH) | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | none |
Waylandite | Calcium barium silicate hydroxide | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a refractory. |
Wayne | FeTiO3 | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | none |
Wayneburnhamite | Cu3AsO4(OH)3 | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | Not commonly used |
Weberite | Na2MgAlF7 | 5-6(5.5) | Mineral specimen |
Websterite | Orthopyroxene and clinopyroxene | 6-6.5 | Used as a source of magnesium and in the production of ceramic materials. |
Wegscheiderite | Na4CO3(SO4) | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | none |
Wehrleite | Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | Radioactive waste storage |
Wehrlite | (Mg,Fe2+)3Al2(SiO4)3 | 6.0-7.0(6.5) | none |
Weilerite | Nickel antimony sulfide | 5-5.5 | Used as a source of nickel and in the production of alloys. |
Weinebeneite | CaMg(BO3)(OH) | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | Mineral collector’s item |
Weinschenkite | Zinc phosphate hydroxide | 3-3.5 | Used in the production of pigments and as a source of zinc. |
Weirenite | Calcium silicate hydroxide | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a refractory. |
Weishanite | PbS | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | none |
Weizseckerite | (Mg,Fe2+)2Si2O6(OH) | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | none |
Wellsite | CaBa2(Al2Si2)O8(OH)2 | 5.0-6.0 | None |
Weloganite | Na2Ca(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Not commonly used |
Wendwilsonite | Zn(UO2)2(VO4)2�8H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Wengite | NiAl2O4 | 7.5-8(7.75) | refractory materials |
Wenkite | Barium calcium silicate hydroxide | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a refractory. |
Werneri | (Na,Ca)2Y2(CO3)3F2 | 4-5(4.5) | Mineral specimen |
Wernerite | Calcium sodium aluminum silicate chloride hydroxide | 5-6 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a source of calcium and sodium. |
Wesselsite | PbMoO4 | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Not commonly used |
Westerveldite | FePAs | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | none |
Westgatite | (U,Cu)3(V,As)O8 | 3-4(3.5) | Rare mineral specimen |
Wexfordite | (Fe,Mn)2(VO4)(OH) | 4.5-5.0(4.75) | none |
Whatlingite | Cu3(AsO4)(OH)3 | 4-5(4.5) | Mineral specimen |
Wheatleyite | Na2Cu(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Not commonly used |
Whetlerite | Cu2+4(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH)4�6-8H2O | 3.5-4.0 | None |
Whewellite | Calcium oxalate monohydrate | 3-3.5 | Used in the production of ceramics and as a source of calcium. |
Whitecapsite | KCa3Ti4O10(OH)2 | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | none |
Whiteclopite | PbClF | 3.0-4.0 | None |
Whitfieldite | Cu3V2O8�5H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.75) | none |
Whitlockite | Calcium magnesium phosphate | 5 | Used in the production of fertilizers and as a source of phosphorus. |
Whitmoreite | Iron magnesium phosphate hydroxide | 4-4.5 | Used in the production of fertilizers and as a source of phosphorus. |
Whodginsonite | (Mg,Fe)2(VO4)(OH) | 4-5(4.5) | Rare mineral specimen |
Wickmanite | Manganese nickel silicate | 5-5.5 | Used as a source of manganese and nickel in the production of alloys. |
Widgiemoolthalite | CaCu(VO4)(OH) | 3-4(3.5) | Rare mineral specimen |
Wiemannite | Manganese iron oxide hydroxide | 4-4.5 | Used as a pigment and in the production of dry-cell batteries. |
Wigglesworthite | Cu2+6(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH)6�8H2O | 3.0-4.0 | None |
Wightmanite | Mg3(VO4)2 � 6H2O | 3-4(3.5) | mineral specimens |
Wiikite | Calcium barium silicate hydroxide | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a refractory. |
Wilburrite | Ca2(UO2)3(VO4)2�8-10H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | none |
Wilcoxite | Magnesium iron silicate hydroxide | 2-3 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a source of magnesium. |
Wildspitzite | Cu2+4(UO2)2(VO4)2(OH)4�6-8H2O | 2.5-3.0(2.5) | Not commonly used |
Wilekeite | (U,Th)SiO4�1-2H2O | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | Not commonly used |
Wilkeite | Calcium magnesium iron silicate phosphate | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a source of phosphorus. |
Wilkmanite | NiSe | 4.5-5.0 | None |
Willardite | NaCaAl4(PO4)3(OH)5�3-5H2O | 4.0-5.0(4.5) | Not commonly used |
Willemite | Zinc silicate | 5.5-6.5 | Used in the production of ceramics, glass, and as a source of zinc. |
Willemseite | Ni3(Si,Al)2(OH)4 | 2-3(2.5) | Rare mineral specimen |
Willhendersonite | Barium calcium silicate hydroxide | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a refractory. |
Williamsita | NiMoO4 | 4-5(4.5) | Mineral specimen |
Williamsite | Ni3(SiO4)(OH)4 | 3.5-4.0(3.5) | Not commonly used |
Willyamite | Nickel cobalt sulfide | 5-5.5 | Used as a source of nickel and cobalt in the production of alloys. |
Wilsonite | PbUO2VO4(OH) | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | Not commonly used |
Wiluite | Ca3Al2(SiO4)3(OH) | 6.5-7(6.75) | gems, abrasives |
Winchite | NaCa2(Mg4Al)(Si8O22)(OH)2 | 6-6.5(6.25) | mineral specimens |
Winstanleyite | Iron titanium oxide | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a pigment. |
Wischerite | Pb2(UO2)2(VO4)2�6-8H2O | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | none |
Wiserite | Mg3(VO4)2 | 4.5-5.5 | None |
Witherite | Barium carbonate | 3-3.5 | Used in the production of glass, ceramics, and as a source of barium. |
Witkopite | Ca2Fe2+3(PO4)3(OH) | 5.0-6.0(5.5) | none |
Wittite | Copper lead antimony sulfide | 2.5-3 | Used as a source of copper, lead, and antimony in the production of alloys. |
Wodehousite | Na(UO2)(VO4)�3H2O | 3.5-4.0(3.75) | none |
Wohlerite | NaCaZrSi2O7(O,OH,F) | 5.0-6.0 | None |
Wolfeite | Iron manganese phosphate | 5-5.5 | Used in the production of fertilizers and as a source of phosphorus. |
Wolframite | (Fe,Mn)WO4 | 5.0-5.5(5.25) | tungsten production |
Wollastonite | Calcium silicate | 4.5-5 | Used in the production of ceramics, glass, and as a filler material. |
Wolsendorfite | Pb4O3Cl2 | 3.0-4.0(3.5) | none |
Wonesite | Nickel cobalt silicate | 5-5.5 | Used as a source of nickel and cobalt in the production of alloys. |
Woodhouseite | Calcium aluminum sulfate phosphate hydroxide | 4-4.5 | Used in the production of fertilizers and as a source of aluminum and phosphorus. |
Woodruffite | Zn,Mn2+)Mn4+O7 � 2-3H2O | 4-5(4.5) | mineral specimens |
Woodwardite | (Cu,Zn)6Al2(SO4)(OH)16�4-5H2O | 2.0-3.0(2.5) | none |
Wooldridgeite | Copper iron cobalt sulfide | 3.5-4 | Used as a source of copper, iron, and cobalt in the production of alloys. |
Wulfenite | Lead molybdate | 3-3.5 | Used as a source of molybdenum and lead in the production of pigments and glass. |
Wulfingite | ZnO | 4-5(4.5) | mineral specimens |
Wurtzite | Zinc sulfide | 3.5-4 | Used in the production of photovoltaic cells and as a source of zinc. |
Wyartite | Calcium uranium carbonate hydroxide | 4-4.5 | Used as a source of uranium in the production of nuclear fuel. |
Wyomingite | Potassium magnesium iron silicate | 6-6.5 | Used in the production of ceramic materials and as a source of potassium, magnesium, and iron. |
Descriptions
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