Minerals in Lithuania

Kipras Navickas Žygimantas Žilinskas

Quartz • Quartz is the second most abundant mineral in the Earth's

continental crust, after feldspar.• This mineral can be found in sand and boulders.• The quartz found in Anykščiai, is almost pure.• Quartz is often used to make jewelry, hard stone carvings, it

is necessary to grow silicon wafers.

Feldspar Feldspar• Feldspars are a group of rock-forming minerals that make

up as much as 60% of the Earth's crust.• This mineral can be found in sand and boulders.• Feldspar is a common raw material used in glassmaking,

ceramics, and to some extent as a filler and extender in paint, plastics, and rubber.

Feldspar Calcite • Calcite is a carbonate mineral.• Found in Limestone and dolomite. In north of Lithuania,

these rocks can be found on the surface, and can be easily collected. • High-grade optical calcite was used in World War II for gun

sights, specifically in bomb sights and anti-aircraft weaponry. Also, experiments have been conducted to use calcite for a cloak of invisibility. Microbiologically precipitated calcite has a wide range of applications.

Feldspar Limonite • Limonite is an iron ore consisting of a mixture of hydrated

iron(III) oxide-hydroxides in varying composition.• brownish sand gets its color from this ferruginous mineral.

There is not much of it, but it is important because it shows where previously some water sources were.• One of the first uses was as a pigment. limonite mudstones

are mined as a source of iron.

Feldspar Anhydrite• Anhydrite is a mineral anhydrous calcium sulfate.• It is a rare mineral, but there is a lot of it gathered in

Kaunas.• Anhydrite can be substituted for gypsum in some of its

uses. Small amounts are used as drying agents in plaster, paint and varnish.

Feldspar Pyrite • The mineral pyrite, or iron pyrite, also known as fool's gold.• Before the 1800’s, it was favored as a decorative stone it

was extremely popular in England during the Victorian Age for its use in jewelry. Pyrite’s biggest use occurred during World War II when it was mined as a source of Sulfur for producing sulfuric acid used in industry

Feldspar Amber• Baltic amber contains about 8% succinic acid, it is also

termed succinate.• Amber is used in the manufacture of jewelry and

ornaments, and also in folk medicine. Amber also forms the flavoring for akvavit liquor. Amber has been used as an ingredient in perfumes.