Artificial minerals

Initially, it referred to crystalline substances that were artificially created and did not exist in nature, but later such substances were discovered in nature and the definition became unclear. Currently, it refers to solid substances that are artificially created using inorganic substances (including minerals) as raw materials and have a certain chemical composition and atomic arrangement. Synthetic minerals are almost synonymous, but in principle, they refer to substances that are created without using any minerals as raw materials.

[Akira Kato]

"Artificial Minerals and Advanced Technology Materials" edited by the Society of Artificial Mineral Technology (1988, Kodansha)" ▽ "Functional Crystal Materials and Artificial Minerals" edited by the Society of Artificial Mineral Technology (1991, Kodansha)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

最初は人工的につくられ、天然には存在しない結晶物質をさしていたが、のちにそうしたものが天然に発見されたりして、定義がはっきりしなくなった。現在では、人工的に、無機的物質（鉱物をも含む）を原料として生成した固体物質で、一定の化学組成と原子配列をもったものをさす。合成鉱物もほぼ同義語であるが、原則的には原料としてまったく鉱物を用いずにつくったものをさす。

［加藤　昭］

『人工鉱物工学会編『人工鉱物と先端技術材料』（1988・講談社）』▽『人工鉱物工学会編『機能性結晶材料と人工鉱物』（1991・講談社）』

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