vivianite

[viv-ee-uh-nahyt]

noun

1. a secondary mineral, hydrous ferrous phosphate, Fe 3 (PO4 ) 2 ⋅8H 2 O, occurring in the form of pale blue crystals or powder.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vivianite¹

1815–25; named after J. G. Vivian, 19th-century English mineralogist, who found it; -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Traces of the blue, powdery mineral vivianite, which is commonly found on fossils, can be seen on her body.

Read more on BBC