Whit's in a name: Scottish connections to mineral names

Abstract

• In mineralogy, as in other natural sciences, there are strict rules on the naming of mineral species. The vast majority of minerals are named after a person or a place. Many of these names have strong Scottish connections, while others are a little less obvious. The naming of minerals. In the past, the names assigned to minerals could reflect many things. They could hint at the chemistry of the mineral. For instance, uraninite clearly refers to the presence of uranium, of which the mineral is a principal source. Others take their name from a specific property of the mineral. For example, pyrite (often referred to as Fool’s Gold) is named after the Greek word for fire thanks to its ability to generate sparks when struck. Or orpiment, which takes its name from the Latin auripigmentum (gold paint) in allusion to its colour. Peter Davidson, Senior Curator of Mineralogy, explores the Scottish connections in some of the mineral names in our collection. From folkore to chemical elements and monarchies to outer space, discover the stories below.