Definition

A type of mineral that is dark brown to black and contains tungsten, often found in crystal form and used as a source of this metal.

Example

Wolframite is an important mineral for extracting tungsten, which is used in various industrial applications.

Conversation

Have you heard about the mineral called wolframite?

Yeah, I think it's used to extract tungsten, right?

Exactly! It's fascinating how such minerals can be so valuable.

Totally! I read that wolframite is also found in specific types of crystals.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Wolframite originates from the German word 'Wolfram', which is derived from 'wolf' (meaning wolf) and 'rahm' (meaning cream or residue). The name refers to the mineral's association with tin ores, which were said to be devoured by the 'wolf' (the mineral) during smelting processes. The suffix '-ite' is used in mineralogy to denote minerals or rocks. Thus, wolframite refers to a mineral that is a source of tungsten, named for its wolf-like consumption of tin.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'wolf' ('wolf') that 'devours' ('rahm') tin during the smelting process, which helps you remember that wolframite is a mineral associated with tungsten.

Visually Confused Words