Mineral Uses

Olivine

Olivine

Used in the manufacture of refractory bricks and as a gemstone called peridot.

Staurolite

Known as a "fairy stone" and has cultural significance as a talisman for good luck.

Augite (CPX)

A common mineral in volcanic rocks, helping geologists understand past volcanic activity.

Muscovite

Used as an insulator in electrical equipment and in the production of cosmetics.

Copper

Essential for electrical wiring and electronics due to its high conductivity.

Tremolite

Used in the manufacturing of ceramics and as a gemstone.

Diopside (CPX)

Used in the manufacture of refractory bricks and as a gemstone.

Chlorite

A component in some cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.

Halite

Mined for table salt and used in the chemical industry.

Actinolite

Occurs as an asbestos mineral and has industrial applications.

Enstatite (OPX)

Used in the production of ceramics and refractories.

Phlogopite

Used in electrical insulators and as a component in some types of cement.

Fluorite

Utilized in the production of aluminum, as a flux in metallurgy, and for making hydrofluoric acid.

Chalcopyrite

The most important ore of copper and a significant source of this valuable metal.

Biotite

Used in cosmetics and as a component in some building materials.

Talc

Known for its softness and used in talcum powder, cosmetics, and ceramics.

Garnet

Used as an abrasive in sandpaper and as a gemstone.

Malachite

Mined for its copper content and used as a decorative gemstone.

Serpentine

decorative stone and for carving

cordierite

manufacturing of ceramics and as a gemstone

hornblende

aids in rock classification

barite

drilling fluids and as a filler

kaolinite

key component in the production of ceramics, paper, and cosmetics

nepheline

used to make glass and ceramics

kyanite

used to make porcelain and gemstone

sulfur

makes sulfuric acid

plagioclase

helps classify rock types

andalusite

used in ceramics

wollastonite

used in ceramics to create high temperature resistance

k-feldspar

used to make glass and ceramics

sillimanite

used to make high temperature ceramics

chromite

primary ore of chromium

quartz

gemstone and used in electronics

gypsum

a fertilizer and adsorbant for phosphorus

galena

lead ore and source of silver

epidote

gemstone and building material

pyrite

used to produce sulfur dioxide

calcite

filler in paints

zircon

gemstone and used to make ceramics

dolomite

source of magnesium and construction materials

graphite

makes pencils

aragonite

used in aquariums and gemstone

tourmaline

gemstone and industrial applications

corundum

gemstones

apatite

fertilizers and phosphoric acid production

magnetite

mined for iron and used to make steel

celestite

mined for strontium and used in fireworks

hematite

ore of iron and used in steelmaking

pyrrhotite

source of nickel and cobalt

ilmenite

mined for titanium

titanite

gemstone and used to make ceramics and glass

beryl

gemstone and jewelry

cassiterite

ore of tin

spinel

gemstone

topaz

gemstone

rutile

titanium

willemite

mined for zinc

molybdenite

source of molybdenum