Brewsterite

/ˈbruːstəˌraɪt/ noun

Definition

A rare mineral of the zeolite family, a microporous aluminosilicate compound with a specific crystalline structure.

Etymology

Named after David Brewster (1781-1868), the Scottish scientist and optical researcher. Minerals are often named in honor of scientists, with the suffix '-ite' indicating a mineral designation, a practice standardized in mineralogy in the 19th century.

Kelly Says

Brewsterite is so rare that most geologists will never see a specimen in their lifetime, yet it's important for understanding how zeolites form—minerals created by slow processes in volcanic rocks that happened over millions of years.

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