Danalite

/ˈdænəˌlaɪt/ noun

Definition

A rare mineral composed of zinc, iron, and manganese sulfides, belonging to the garnet family of minerals.

Etymology

Named in honor of James Dwight Dana, the 19th-century American mineralogist and geologist; the '-lite' suffix is standard for minerals, from Greek 'lithos' (stone).

Kelly Says

James Dwight Dana was so influential in mineralogy that several minerals are named after him—having a mineral named after you is basically the geologist's version of immortality, and it shows how important taxonomy and naming are to science.

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