Chloromelanite

/ˌklɔːroʊˈmɛləˌnaɪt/ noun

Definition

A dark-colored or greenish variety of melanite (a black iron-titanium silicate mineral) that contains chlorine.

Etymology

From chloro- 'green/chlorine' + melanite, from Greek melas 'black'. This mineralogical term emerged in the 19th century as scientists studied color variations in garnet minerals.

Kelly Says

Chloromelanite is proof that mineral names can be contradictory—'chloro' suggests green and 'melanite' means black, so some specimens are this confusing mixture of dark and greenish colors, which frustrated early mineralogists trying to classify them.

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