, 6,100 mineral species are approved by the IMA. They are most commonly named after a person, followed by discovery location; names based on chemical composition or physical properties are the two other major groups of mineral name etymologies., p. 556 Most names end in "-ite"; the exceptions are usually names that were well-established before the organization of mineralogy as a discipline, for example galena and diamond.
, 6,100 MInERAl SPecieS Are AppRoVed bY the iMa. tHEy are MoSt cOmMoNLY nAmed AftER a pERSOn, FolLowED By DIScoveRy lOcatIOn; naMES based on chEMICaL cOMpOsitIon OR pHysICaL ProPErtIes ARe tHe Two oThEr MAjOr grOUPs oF mINerAl naMe EtyMologieS., p. 556 moSt NaMes ENd iN "-ite"; The eXCePTIons aRe usuAlly names thAT werE well-esTAbliShed before the OrganIzAtioN of miNeRalogY aS a disCiPline, for EXamPlE gALena and diamond.