mineralogy
noun
min·er·al·o·gy ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jē 
-ˈra-
-ˈra- 1
: a science dealing with minerals, their crystallography, properties, classification, and the ways of distinguishing them
2
: the mineralogical characteristics of an area, a rock, or a rock formation
mineralogical
ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-kəl
adjective ˌmin-rə-
or less commonly mineralogic
ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-jik
ˌmin-rə-
mineralogically
ˌmi-nə-rə-ˈlä-ji-k(ə-)lē
adverb ˌmin-rə-
mineralogist
ˌmi-nə-ˈrä-lə-jist -ˈra-
noun -ˈra- 
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Grown in the heart of Provence, on the foothills of the Massif des Maures, the terroir for Tourmaline brings a rather unique mineralogy to the wine. 
Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 15 June 2022 The differences could indicate how the mineralogy of the meteorite changed over decades sitting on Earth, absorbing water from the atmosphere and undergoing chemical reactions. New York Times, 9 June 2022 Crafted for the face and body from Bian stone, expect to experience an array of benefits rooted in mineralogy to tone muscles, firm skin, and even treat TMJ (pain or tension of the jaw). Kiana Murden, Vogue, 24 May 2022 With such close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the soils there are rich with volcanic and marine sediments, which translates to a complex mineralogy that pairs brilliantly with oysters. Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2022 The hunt will likely utilize all of the rover's numerous instruments, including the Mastcam-Z and Supercam which are used to provide both imaging and analysis of the surface's mineralogy and chemical composition. Julia Musto, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2021 By this time, NASA also had much better map and mineralogy data from its orbiters. Jatan Mehta, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2021 The old courthouse will also have room for a library, research lab, mineralogy lab and community classroom. USA TODAY, 22 Oct. 2019 Werner’s chromatic notes intrigued many beyond the mineralogy circles artists including British painter Patrick Smye who charted and illustrated his notations with corresponding tints. Anne Quito, Quartzy, 11 Oct. 2019 See More
Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 15 June 2022 The differences could indicate how the mineralogy of the meteorite changed over decades sitting on Earth, absorbing water from the atmosphere and undergoing chemical reactions. New York Times, 9 June 2022 Crafted for the face and body from Bian stone, expect to experience an array of benefits rooted in mineralogy to tone muscles, firm skin, and even treat TMJ (pain or tension of the jaw). Kiana Murden, Vogue, 24 May 2022 With such close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the soils there are rich with volcanic and marine sediments, which translates to a complex mineralogy that pairs brilliantly with oysters. Jeanette Hurt, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2022 The hunt will likely utilize all of the rover's numerous instruments, including the Mastcam-Z and Supercam which are used to provide both imaging and analysis of the surface's mineralogy and chemical composition. Julia Musto, Fox News, 20 Feb. 2021 By this time, NASA also had much better map and mineralogy data from its orbiters. Jatan Mehta, Scientific American, 17 Feb. 2021 The old courthouse will also have room for a library, research lab, mineralogy lab and community classroom. USA TODAY, 22 Oct. 2019 Werner’s chromatic notes intrigued many beyond the mineralogy circles artists including British painter Patrick Smye who charted and illustrated his notations with corresponding tints. Anne Quito, Quartzy, 11 Oct. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
probably from New Latin *mineralogia, irregular from Medieval Latin minerale + Latin -logia -logy
First Known Use
1661, in the meaning defined at sense 1