What does scheelite mean?
Scheelite is a mineral composed of calcium tungstate, characterized by its white, yellow, or blue-grey color and tabular or pyramidal crystal structure. It is a valuable source of tungsten, a hard, dense metal used in high-speed cutting tools, filaments, and other applications. Scheelite is named after the Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman, who first discovered it in 1783. As a mineral, scheelite has significant economic importance due to its role in the production of tungsten, which is used in a variety of industrial and technological applications. The mineral is typically found in igneous and metamorphic rocks and is often associated with other minerals such as quartz, feldspar, and mica.
nounScheelite is a mineral, a calcium tungstate, occurring in tabular or pyramidal crystals, typically white, yellow, or blue-grey in color.
- A mineral composed of calcium tungstate.
- A source of tungsten, used in high-speed cutting tools and other applications.
"The mine was known for producing high-quality scheelite, a valuable source of tungsten."
"The geologist collected a sample of scheelite from the mine."
"Scheelite is used in the production of tungsten filaments."
The plural form is used when referring to multiple samples or deposits of the mineral.
"The mine produced several tons of scheelites, which were then processed for tungsten extraction."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of scheelite
The word 'scheelite' is named after the Swedish chemist Torbern Bergman, who first discovered the mineral in 1783. It is derived from the language of origin, Swedish, and has been incorporated into various languages, including English. The mineral's name serves as a testament to Bergman's contributions to the field of chemistry and mineralogy.
Usage notes
Scheelite is primarily used in formal or technical contexts, such as geology, mining, or materials science.