Forsterites

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A rare type of mineral belonging to the olivine group that consists primarily of magnesium and silica
2. A silicate mineral characterized by its magnesium-rich composition, found in some igneous rocks
3. A specific variant of olivine noted for its unique crystal structure and chemical formula, often studied in geology

Etymology: Forsterite is named after Adolarius Jacob Forster, a German mineral dealer, and the "-ite" ending is the standard suffix mineralogists attached to rock and mineral names. The plural "forsterites" is simply the form used when speaking of several specimens or of the mineral's varieties. The mineral belongs to the olivine group, a family of silicate minerals whose name comes from the olive-green colour of many of its members. Forsterite sits at the magnesium-rich end of that series, with iron content low enough that the pure magnesium form is the defining member. Naming a mineral after a dealer rather than a place or a property was a deliberate mineralogical tradition, and this name keeps the link to the person who handled the specimens.