Gehlenite

/ɡəˈhelənʌɪt/ noun

Definition

A mineral composed of calcium, aluminum, and silicate that often forms in metamorphic rocks and industrial furnaces.

Etymology

Named after Adolf Gehlen, a 19th-century German chemist and mineralogist. The mineral suffix '-ite' indicates it's a specific mineral species, following the standard Linnaean classification of minerals.

Kelly Says

Gehlenite is one of the most common minerals formed accidentally in blast furnaces and cement kilns—it's literally everywhere in industrial waste, making it a perfect example of how human industry creates new mineral ecosystems.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.