GAHNITE Meaning and
Definition
-
Gahnite is a mineral that belongs to the spinel group of minerals. It is a rare mineral and is commonly found in metamorphic rocks and certain types of granitic pegmatite. The name "gahnite" is derived from the Swedish mineralogist, Johan Gottlieb Gahn, who first discovered and described the mineral in 1807.
Gahnite is typically characterized by its deep blue to greenish-blue color, although it can also be brown or black. It has a vitreous to greasy luster and a Mohs hardness of 7.5, making it a relatively hard mineral. The mineral has a tetragonal crystal system and usually occurs as octahedral or dodecahedral crystals.
Chemically, gahnite is a zinc aluminum oxide mineral with the chemical formula ZnAl2O4. It is a component of many ore deposits and is often associated with other minerals such as corundum, beryl, and quartz. Gahnite is known for its high refractive index, which gives it a brilliant appearance when cut and polished.
In addition to its natural occurrence, gahnite can also be synthetically produced for various industrial applications. Due to its high hardness and resistance to chemical corrosion, it is often used as an abrasive material in grinding and polishing applications. Gahnite is also sometimes used as a gemstone, although its rarity and lack of transparency limit its use in jewelry.
Common Misspellings for GAHNITE
- fahnite
- vahnite
- bahnite
- hahnite
- yahnite
- tahnite
- gzhnite
- gshnite
- gwhnite
- gqhnite
- gagnite
- gabnite
- gannite
- gajnite
- gaunite
- gaynite
- gahbite
- gahmite
- gahjite
Etymology of GAHNITE
The word "Gahnite" is derived from the name of its discoverer, Swedish chemist and mineralogist Johann Gottlieb Gahn. Gahn discovered the mineral in 1804 and it was later named in his honor. Gahnite is a zinc aluminum oxide mineral and its name serves as a tribute to Gahn's contributions to the field of mineralogy.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
