Gadolinite (Noun)
Meaning
A mineral that is a source of rare earths; consists of silicates of iron and beryllium and cerium and yttrium and erbium.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- Gadolinite, a relatively rare mineral, was first discovered in Sweden in the early 19th century and found to be a source of several rare earth elements.
- The extraction of rare earths from gadolinite requires a series of complex chemical processes due to its intricate composition.
- Gadolinite typically consists of a combination of silicates of iron, beryllium, cerium, yttrium, and erbium in varying proportions.
- Researchers have been interested in the properties of gadolinite, particularly its potential as a source of cerium and other rare earth elements.
- Historically, the primary commercial source of yttrium and erbium was gadolinite, although other minerals have since become more significant sources.