Dellenite

/ˈdɛlənait/ noun

Definition

A mineral of the sorosilicate class, a complex silicate containing manganese and other elements.

Etymology

Named after a locality or person (likely German 'dellen'), with the mineralogical suffix '-ite' (from Greek 'lithos' meaning 'stone'). Named by mineralogists in the late 1800s or early 1900s.

Kelly Says

Mineralogists name stones after places or people, creating beautiful side-effect: dellenite is virtually unknown except in technical databases, a Sleeping Beauty waiting for a geologist to rediscover it.

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