| asbestos |
a mineral that separates into fibers and does not catch fire or conduct electricity. Asbestos is used to make fireproof materials and insulation. |
| diamond |
a clear mineral that is a crystal form of pure carbon. Diamonds are the hardest natural substance known. They are used in making jewelry and as tools for cutting hard materials. [1/5 definitions] |
| emery |
a powder made from a hard mineral. It is used for grinding and polishing. |
| fiber |
a small, thin part of a plant, animal, or mineral that is shaped like a thread. [1/2 definitions] |
| garnet |
a common type of hard mineral that can have a variety of colors and includes the dark red stone often used in jewelry. |
| lead2 |
The part of a pencil that makes marks is called "lead." It is not actually the same as the mineral "lead," though. It is really a substance called "graphite." [1/2 definitions] |
| lode |
a deposit of a mineral that fills a crack in an area of rock. |
| metal |
any solid mineral element that exhibits certain characteristics such as the ability to conduct heat or electricity. Most metals may be shaped under heat or pressure. Iron, silver, copper, and gold are metals. |
| mineral |
A mineral is a hard substance that comes from the earth. It does not contain any substances from plants or animals. Some minerals are iron, gold, and salt. Diamonds are also minerals. [2 definitions] |
| mineral water |
Mineral water is water that comes out of a natural spring in the ground. It contains tiny mineral substances, and it sometimes has bubbles like the kind of bubbles that are in soft drinks. It is often served in restaurants in small bottles. |
| opal |
a mineral that is white, black, blue, or yellow. Opals are used as gems. |
| ore |
a rock or mineral from which a metal or other useful substance can be removed. |
| pocket |
A pocket is a hollow space in the earth that contains ore. Ore is a rock or mineral substance that contains something of value to people. Ore might contain copper or iron, for example. [1/5 definitions] |
| quartz |
a common, hard mineral that is usually found as glasslike crystals. |
| spa |
a mineral spring. [1/3 definitions] |
| stone |
hard matter formed from mineral and earth material; rock. [2/6 definitions] |
| talc |
a soft, greasy-feeling mineral used in making body powder and other products. |
| turquoise |
a sky blue or blue-green mineral that is cut and polished for use in jewelry. [1/3 definitions] |