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.
Heavy mineral suites are used to help determine the provenance and history of sedimentary rocks.
[1] 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.
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