Betafite

/ˈbeɪtəˌfaɪt/ noun

Definition

A rare mineral containing uranium and other elements, used as an ore source.

Etymology

From 'beta' (Greek letter used in mineralogy naming) + '-fite' (from Greek 'phyton,' stone). Scientists name minerals by composition, and this one was named for its structure.

Kelly Says

Betafite is a real mineral that uranium miners look for — the 'beta' prefix in mineralogy often indicates a variant form of another mineral, so there's probably an 'alpha-fite' somewhere that this mineral is related to.

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