How Do You Spell OTAVITE?

Pronunciation: [ˈɒtɐvˌa͡ɪt] (IPA)

Otavite is a mineral named after the Otavi Mountains in Namibia. Its spelling can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word starts with the "oh" sound, like the beginning of the word "oatmeal." This is followed by the "t" sound, which is pronounced with the tongue touching the back of the teeth. The next syllable is pronounced "ahv," with the "a" sound like in "father." Finally, the word ends with the "ite" sound, which is pronounced like "eye-tuh."

Meaning and Definition
Etymology
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OTAVITE Meaning and Definition

  1. Otavite is a mineral that belongs to the carbonate group. It is classified as a secondary mineral, meaning that it forms as a result of alteration processes in other minerals. The chemical composition of otavite is cadmium carbonate (CdCO3), which gives it its distinctive properties.

    The mineral is named after its type locality, which is in the Otavi Mountain Range in Namibia, Africa. Otavite typically occurs as a rare mineral in hydrothermal mineral veins, associated with other sulfide minerals such as sphalerite and galena. It forms under specific geological conditions, usually in areas of low temperature and high pressure.

    In terms of physical characteristics, otavite typically appears as small, transparent to translucent prismatic crystals. Its color ranges from colorless to yellowish-brown. Otavite has a vitreous luster, meaning that it has a glass-like appearance when light reflects off its surface. It is relatively soft on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, with a rating of 3.5 to 4.

    One of the most notable properties of otavite is its fluorescent behavior. When exposed to ultraviolet light, the mineral emits a bright green fluorescence, which makes it visually distinct. This fluorescence can be used as a diagnostic feature for identification purposes.

    Although otavite is a rare mineral, its unique properties and associations with other valuable minerals make it of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying mineral deposits.

Etymology of OTAVITE

The word "otavite" comes from the Otavi Mountain Range in Namibia, where the mineral was first discovered. The mineral itself is a type of cadmium carbonate, hence the name "otavite". It was first documented and named in 1862 by Austrian mineralogist and geologist Wilhelm von Haidinger.