The word "ochroite" is spelled with the letter "o" followed by "ch", "r", "o", "i", and "t", and pronounced as /ˈɒk.rəʊ.aɪt/. The "ch" represents the sound /k/ as in "cat", the "r" represents the sound /r/ as in "red", the "o" represents the sound /ɒ/ as in "lot", the "i" represents the sound /aɪ/ as in "eye", and the "t" represents the sound /t/ as in "top". Ochroite is a mineral that is yellow or brown in color and is found in volcanic rocks.
Ochroite is a mineral that belongs to the tourmaline group. It is a rare variety of tourmaline and is characterized by its yellow to yellow-green color. The name Ochroite is derived from the Greek word "ochros," which means yellow, perfectly describing the coloration of this mineral.
Chemically, ochroite is an iron-rich tourmaline with the chemical formula (Fe^2+)_2(Al,Fe^3+)_3(Si_6O_18)(BO_3)_3(OH)_3OH. It usually occurs as prismatic crystals with a hexagonal or trigonal symmetry. Ochroite has a vitreous to resinous luster and displays strong pleochroism, usually exhibiting a deeper yellow or green color when viewed from different angles.
Ochroite is commonly found in hydrothermal veins associated with other minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica. It occurs in various geological environments, including metamorphic and pegmatitic rocks. Some significant sources of ochroite include Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, and the United States.
The gem-quality ochroite is highly valued in the jewelry industry due to its striking yellow color and rarity. It is often cut into faceted gemstones or used as a collector's specimen. However, its scarcity makes it relatively less known compared to other tourmaline varieties such as pink or green tourmaline.
In addition to its aesthetic value, ochroite is also studied by mineralogists and geologists for its crystallographic properties and its potential role in understanding geological processes.
An impure variety of cerite.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The term "Ochroite" is derived from the Greek word "ochros", which means "pale yellow" or "ocher". It is a mineralogical term used to describe a type of yellowish or brownish mineral. The suffix "-ite" is commonly used in mineralogy to denote minerals. Therefore, "Ochroite" refers to a mineral that is pale yellow or ochre-like in color.