Ehrwaldite

/ˈɛr.wɔːl.daɪt/ noun

Definition

A rare mineral, a hydrated calcium aluminum silicate, named after the Ehrwald region in Austria.

Etymology

From Ehrwald, a town in the Zugspitz area of Austria, plus -ite (a common suffix in mineralogy meaning 'mineral' or 'stone', from Greek lithos).

Kelly Says

Ehrwaldite exemplifies how minerals get named after their discovery locations—Ehrwald in Austria is famous for unique mineral deposits, and naming minerals after places helps geologists map where specific rare materials form globally.

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