It's hard to tell from the photo but it looks like quartz

329 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Anorthite:
- A calcium-rich plagioclase feldspar
- Forms in mafic igneous rocks
- Found on the Moon and and in comets such as Comet 81P/Wild
- Its name comes from the Greek words "αν oρθός/an orthós" (not a right angle) because its crystals have an oblique form #minerals

328 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Graphite:
- Composed of carbon
- Same composition as diamond but a different structure
- Forms in metamorphic/igneous rocks & meteorites
- Used in electrical conductors, lubricants, pencils
- Its name comes from the Greek "γράφειν/graphein" (to write) #minerals #MineralMonday

That's so cool!

328 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Graphite:
- Composed of carbon
- Same composition as diamond but a different structure
- Forms in metamorphic/igneous rocks & meteorites
- Used in electrical conductors, lubricants, pencils
- Its name comes from the Greek "γράφειν/graphein" (to write) #minerals #MineralMonday

327 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Topaz:
- Silicate mineral
- Pure topaz = yellow, brown, blue
- Impurities & treatments cause other colours
- Blue topaz is the Texas state mineral
- Forms in pegmatites, quartz veins & granite
- Named after Topazios Island (now called Zabargad Island) in the Red Sea #minerals

327 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Topaz:
- Silicate mineral
- Pure topaz = yellow, brown, blue
- Impurities & treatments cause other colours
- Blue topaz is the Texas state mineral
- Forms in pegmatites, quartz veins & granite
- Named after Topazios Island (now called Zabargad Island) in the Red Sea #minerals

326 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Periclase:
- A magnesium oxide mineral
- Forms via high temperature contact metamorphism
- Used in the production of fire bricks
- Its name comes from the Greek word "περικλάω/perikláo" (to break around) because of its cleavage #minerals

326 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Periclase:
- A magnesium oxide mineral
- Forms via high temperature contact metamorphism
- Used in the production of fire bricks
- Its name comes from the Greek word "περικλάω/perikláo" (to break around) because of its cleavage #minerals

Yeah, familiarising yourself with as many rocks as possible helps. Plus you can also post photos online and ask for help with identification

No, I don't recognise every mineral - there are far too many to remember! These are all labelled with their names in the NHM gallery

325 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Barytocalcite:
- A barium calcium carbonate mineral
- Forms when hydrothermal fluids react with limestone
- Its type locality is Blagill Mine in Cumbria, England
- Named for its chemical composition #minerals

324 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Nepheline:
- A feldspathoid mineral
- Forms in volcanic rocks with low silica content
- Its name comes from the Greek word "νεφέλη/nephélē" (cloud) because it turns cloudy when exposed to strong acid #minerals

325 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Barytocalcite:
- A barium calcium carbonate mineral
- Forms when hydrothermal fluids react with limestone
- Its type locality is Blagill Mine in Cumbria, England
- Named for its chemical composition #minerals

324 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Nepheline:
- A feldspathoid mineral
- Forms in volcanic rocks with low silica content
- Its name comes from the Greek word "νεφέλη/nephélē" (cloud) because it turns cloudy when exposed to strong acid #minerals

323 of #365Minerals 🧪⚒️

Oligoclase:
- A plagioclase feldspar mineral
- Sometimes classed as a variety of albite
- An important component of igneous rocks
- Its name comes from the Greek words "όλίγος/oligos" (little) and "κλάσις/klasis" (fracture) because of its cleavage #minerals

🎶 Human and Neanderthal sitting in a cave. K-I-S-S-I-N-G! 🎶