heavy mineral
In geology, a heavy mineral is a mineral with a density that is greater than 2.9 g/cm3, most commonly referring to dense components of siliciclastic sediments. A heavy mineral suite is the relative percentages of heavy minerals in a stone. Heavy mineral suites are used to help determine the provenance and history of sedimentary rocks.{{cite web|title=USGS CMG Menlo Park Fume Hood Lab--M3005A|url=http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/programs/html/facilities/mp/15.3/m3005a.html|publisher=United States Geological Survey|accessdate=April 24, 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100723193900/http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/programs/html/facilities/mp/15.3/m3005a.html|archivedate=July 23, 2010}}
As heavy minerals are a minor constituent of most sedimentary rock, they must be separated out to be studied. Heavy mineral separation generally uses a dense liquid in either a separatory funnel or centrifuge. Liquids used include bromoform, tetrabromoethane, tribromoethane, methylene iodide, and polytungstate liquids.