mineralogy

[min-uh-rol-uh-jee, -ral-uh-]

noun

1. the science or study of minerals.

mineralogy

/ ˌmɪnəˈrælədʒɪ, ˌmɪnərəˈlɒdʒɪkəl /

noun

1. the branch of geology concerned with the study of minerals

mineralogy

1. The scientific study of minerals, their composition and properties, and the places where they are likely to occur.

Other Word Forms

• mineralogist noun
• mineralogically adverb
• mineralogical adjective
• mineralogic adjective
• nonmineralogical adjective
• nonmineralogically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mineralogy¹

First recorded in 1680–90; minera(l) + -logy

Example Sentences

A team of scientists led by Giovanni Pratesi, mineralogy professor at the university, was able to examine it to learn more about its structure and where it came from.

From BBC

An Oregon State University researcher who made color history in 2009 with a vivid blue pigment has developed durable, reddish magentas inspired by lunar mineralogy and ancient Egyptian chemistry.

From Science Daily

The team also examined sediment structures, mineralogy, diatoms and geochemistry to characterize the depositional record.

From Science Daily

Previous studies suggested that Ryugu's sample mineralogy resembled CI chondrites, the most primitive meteorites chemically.

From Science Daily

Because its present-day chemistry and mineralogy are virtually unchanged since its formation, it holds clues to the origins and development of rocky planets such as Earth, and could prove central to studies of astrobiology.

From Reuters