GMPV
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology

Minerals

Rare Earth Elements…..in olivine?

Rare Earth Elements…..in olivine?

The Rare Earth Elements, or REEs, are really important. This is a group of elements including neodymium (used to create strong magnets), cerium (used in catalytic converters), lanthanum (used in electric car batteries), lutetium (used in oil refinery), with the uses of REEs increasing continuously. At the moment, the majority of the world’s supply of REEs comes from a single deposit in Inner ...[Read More]

The *real* mineral cup: wavellite vs. kernowite / devon versus cornwall

The *real* mineral cup: wavellite vs. kernowite / devon versus cornwall

Kernowite: In November 2020, approximately two major world events occurred. Firstly, Joseph R. Biden Jr. and his dog Major were elected as the 46th president and president’s dog of the United States of America. Secondly, the International Mineralogical Association approved a new mineral, kernowite, Cu2Fe3+(AsO4)(OH)4⋅4H2O, which was described by M. Rumsey from the Natural History Museum in L ...[Read More]