glaucophane

[ glaw-kuh-feyn ]

noun

1. a sodium-rich monoclinic mineral of the amphibole family, usually metamorphic.

glaucophane

/ glou′kə-fān′ /

1. A blue to grayish-blue or bluish-black monoclinic mineral of the amphibole group. Glaucophane occurs as fibrous prisms in schists (especially blueschists) formed by the regional metamorphism of sodium-rich rocks. Chemical formula: Na 2 (Mg,Fe) 3 Al 2 Si 8 O 22 (OH) 2 .

Word History and Origins

Origin of glaucophane¹

First recorded in 1840–50; glauco- + -phane ( def )

Example Sentences

Other minerals which have been found in eclogites are bronzite, olivine and glaucophane.

From Project Gutenberg

Glaucophane rocks are widely spread.

From Project Gutenberg

These home-kept old boots were lovely in their way, hoary with mould running into the most exquisite tints of glaucophane and blue-grey, but it was a different way altogether from that of the wild boot.

From Project Gutenberg

G.L.I.S.—ah! "Glistering thro' deeps of glaucophane"—that's nothing.

From Project Gutenberg