types:
bauxite
a clay-like mineral; the chief ore of aluminum; composed of aluminum oxides and aluminum hydroxides; used as an abrasive and catalyst
borace,
borato
an ore of boron consisting of hydrated sodium borate; used as a flux or cleansing agent
smeriglio
a hard grey-black mineral consisting of corundum and either hematite or magnetite; used as an abrasive (especially as a coating on paper)
gesso
a common white or colorless mineral (hydrated calcium sulphate) used to make cements and plasters (especially plaster of Paris)
malachite
a green or blue mineral used as an ore of copper and for making ornamental objects
pirite
a common mineral (iron disulfide) that has a pale yellow color
quarzo
a hard glossy mineral consisting of silicon dioxide in crystal form; present in most rocks (especially sandstone and granite); yellow sand is quartz with iron oxide impurities
spinello
a hard glassy mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum; occurs in various colors that are used as gemstones
talco
a fine grained mineral having a soft soapy feel and consisting of hydrated magnesium silicate; used in a variety of products including talcum powder
topazio
a mineral (fluosilicate of aluminum) that occurs in crystals of various colors and is used as a gemstone
tormalina
a mineral that is a complex borosilicate and hydroxide of aluminum containing iron and magnesium and calcium and lithium and sodium; it is usually black but occurs in transparent colored forms that are used as gemstones
turchese
a blue to grey green mineral consisting of copper aluminum phosphate
blenda
an ore that is the chief source of zinc; consists largely of zinc sulfide in crystalline form
zircone
a common mineral occurring in small crystals; chief source of zirconium; used as a refractory when opaque and as a gem when transparent
alabastro
a compact fine-textured, usually white gypsum used for carving
ametista
a transparent purple variety of quartz; used as a gemstone
amianto
a fibrous amphibole; used for making fireproof articles; inhaling fibers can cause asbestosis or lung cancer
acquamarina
a transparent variety of beryl that is blue green in color
calcedonio
a milky or greyish translucent to transparent quartz
ocra
any of various earths containing silica and alumina and ferric oxide; used as a pigment
smeraldo
a green transparent form of beryl; highly valued as a gemstone
rubino
a transparent deep red variety of corundum; used as a gemstone and in lasers
zaffiro
a precious transparent stone of rich blue corundum valued as a gemstone