KERARGYRITE Meaning and
Definition
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Kerargyrite is a mineral that typically occurs in silver-rich ore deposits. It is classified as a silver chloride mineral and is part of the chloride group. The name "kerargyrite" is derived from the Greek words "keras," which means horn, and "argyros," meaning silver, reflecting the mineral's horn-like appearance with a silver color.
In terms of its physical properties, kerargyrite usually forms as translucent to opaque crystals, which can be tabular or prismatic in shape. It has a distinctive vitreous to resinous luster, and its hardness is relatively low, ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale. Kerargyrite typically exhibits a gray to gray-black color, often with a bluish tint.
Chemically, kerargyrite is composed of silver, chlorine, and occasionally small amounts of bromine. It is an important secondary mineral that forms through oxidation of primary silver minerals, predominantly in arid and semi-arid environments. This mineral is commonly found in association with other silver-bearing compounds such as acanthite and silver sulfosalts.
Kerargyrite has been historically valued as a source of silver due to its relatively high silver content. However, its economic significance has declined over time, with most current commercial silver production coming from other primary silver minerals. Nonetheless, kerargyrite continues to be of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying the formation of ore deposits.
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Chloride of silver; horn-silver, so called from its capability of being cut like horn.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for KERARGYRITE
- jerargyrite
- merargyrite
- lerargyrite
- oerargyrite
- ierargyrite
- kwrargyrite
- ksrargyrite
- kdrargyrite
- krrargyrite
- k4rargyrite
- k3rargyrite
- keeargyrite
- kedargyrite
- kefargyrite
- ketargyrite
- ke5argyrite
- ke4argyrite
- kerzrgyrite
- kersrgyrite
Etymology of KERARGYRITE
The word kerargyrite is derived from Greek. It comes from the combination of two Greek words: keras meaning horn and argyros meaning silver.
