What does nephelite mean?
Nephelite is a mineral name for a member of the nepheline group, a group of silicate minerals that can form in rocks with relatively little free silica. It is especially associated with alkaline igneous rocks and may occur alongside feldspars, pyroxenes, and other minerals. In mineralogy, nephelite refers specifically to the mineral, whereas nepheline is a closely related but distinct species and nepheline syenite is a rock whose name reflects that mineral's presence. The term is therefore mainly encountered in geology, petrology, and mineralogy rather than in everyday speech. Its name derives from the Greek nephros, meaning kidney, through the historical naming of related nepheline-group minerals. Recognizing nephelite is useful when discussing silica-poor magmas and the mineral assemblages of alkaline igneous rocks.
nounA rock-forming silicate mineral in the nepheline group, consisting chiefly of sodium, potassium, aluminum, silicon, and oxygen. It occurs as an essential component of some silica-poor igneous rocks, especially alkaline rocks.
- A rock-forming silicate mineral in the nepheline group, commonly found in silica-poor alkaline igneous rocks.
"Nephelite crystallized in cavities within the coarse-grained igneous rock."
"The sample contains abundant grains of nephelite in a matrix of feldspar."
"Under high-temperature conditions, nephelite can crystallize from silica-poor magma."
Usually used in mineralogical counts or descriptions, though it is uncommon outside technical contexts.
"Several nephelites were visible in the rock specimen."
Nephelite is named from the Greek word for kidney, a curious clue to a mineral whose name once suggested a stone associated with the body.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does nephelite come from?
The name comes through nepheline, a related mineral whose name was based on the Greek nephros, meaning kidney. The connection may reflect an early association of such minerals with kidney-shaped stones or bodily naming traditions. The suffix in nephelite distinguishes this mineral from its close relative nepheline.
Related word forms
How nephelite is actually used
Nephelite is chiefly used in geology, mineralogy, and petrology. In ordinary discussion, the related rock name nepheline and the rock name nepheline syenite should not be confused with the mineral nephelite.
Easily confused with nephelite
Nephelite and nepheline are related members of the same mineral group, but nepheline is a distinct mineral with a different composition and crystal structure.