Around the home ...

Minerals used to make pencils and paints
A mixture of clay and graphite makes up the 'lead' in pencils.

Graphite is:

Soft
Easily powdered
Opaque (not see-through)

Lead comes from a mineral called galena. It is not used in paints any more - titanium is used instead.
Titanium comes from the minerals rutile and ilmenite.

Galena Ilmenite
Graphite (top right), and rutile are used to make pencils and paints, galena is not used anymore as it contain lead

Learn more about the minerals we use around the home

Find out about the minerals we use every day...
Krystal the quartz
Building a house
In the kitchen
Around the home
Transport and technology
Neat and tidy
Health and medicine

Finish by playing Mineral mix and match! or return to the Homepage