AllWords.com


All Words Glossary

Glossary of Minerals Terms
beginning with letter O
Browse the Minerals Glossary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
oligoclase
Tweet Definition of oligoclase Like Definition of oligoclase on Facebook
noun
  1. (mineralogy) A plagioclase feldspar, the second member of the Albite-Anorthite solid solution series. Primarily found as small crystals in impure marble. Oligoclase contains a small amount of calcium substituting for some of the sodium in its formula. Oligoclase with reddish-golden inclusions found in Norway and Canada is called sunstone.
  • Chemical composition: Sodium calcium aluminum silicate, <math>Na_xCa_xAlSi_3O_8</math>
  • Physical properties:
    Moh's Hardness: 6.0
     Specific gravity: 2.65
    Color: white, yellow, reddish-gray
     Luster: glassy
    Fracture: conchoidal
     Cleavage: two good at about 94º to each other
  • Habit: Triclinic - pinacoidal. Usually twinned and striated, but this may not be visible to the unaided eye.
olivine
Tweet Definition of olivine Like Definition of olivine on Facebook
noun
  1. (mineralogy) any of a group of olive green magnesium-iron silicate minerals that crystallize in the orthorhombic system
omphacite
Tweet Definition of omphacite Like Definition of omphacite on Facebook
noun
  1. (mineralogy) any of a range of green, monoclinic pyroxene minerals found in eclogites and similar rocks; they are solid solutions of jadeite and diopside
Opal
Tweet Definition of Opal Like Definition of Opal on Facebook
proper noun
  1. (given name, female) from the precious stone, invented in the nineteenth century.
  2. A type of petrol made by the BP company designed to be unable to used for petrol sniffing. (Reference: BP article on Opal http://www.bp.com/sectiongenericarticle.do?categoryId=9008933&contentId=7016884.)
ore
Tweet Definition of ore Like Definition of ore on Facebook
noun
  1. rock, Rock that contains enough of one or more metals to be worth processing to obtain the pure metal or metals. Ore usually comes from a mine.
orpiment
Tweet Definition of orpiment Like Definition of orpiment on Facebook
noun (uncountable)
  1. arsenic trisulphide, occuring naturally in crystals or massive deposits, formerly used as a dye or pigment
orthoclase
Tweet Definition of orthoclase Like Definition of orthoclase on Facebook
noun
  1. (mineralogy) A common feldspar of igneous, plutonic, and metamorphic rocks. Orthoclase is the main feldspar of pegmatite occurrences, where it is most commonly flesh-colored. Orthoclase is used in the ceramic and glass industries and as a decorative gravel.
  • Chemical composition: Potassium aluminum silicate, <math>KAlSi?_3O_8</math>
  • Physical properties:
    Moh's Hardness: 6.0
     Specific gravity: 2.6
    Color: white, flesh, yellow, brown, occasionally colorless
     Luster: glassy
    Fracture: conchoidal
     Cleavage: two good at 90º
  • Habit: Monoclinic - prismatic. Well developed crystal faces are at 90º to each other. Occasional twinned crystals are found. Crystal faces typically look polished, and are not striated.
Browse the Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Find:
Words Starting With:
Words Ending With:
Words Containing:
Words That Match:

Translate Into:
 Dutch French German
 Italian Spanish
Show results per page.
Allwords Copyright 1998-2013 All rights reserved.


Share this page:
More To Explore

Contact & About