High-definition image of fluorspar specimen showing translucent texture and pale purple color.
Minerals in the Winter Olympics
Detailed Description
Minerals in the Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics bring together athletes from all over the world and minerals sourced from all over the world. These minerals are used in Olympic venues, athletic equipment, medals, and even to make snow and ice. A “star” indicates the mineral is on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. The flags indicate the world leader for mine production of that commodity in 2024‡.
Figure Skating
Fluorspar - Fluorspar is used to make refrigerants that keep the ice at the perfect temperature for events like figure skating, ice hockey, and bobsled. Fluorspar is on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. China was the world leader for mine production of fluorspar in 2024.
Mica - The shimmer of athletes' makeup is from powdered mica minerals like muscovite. Madagascar was the world leader for mine production of mica in 2024.
Chromium - Ice skate blades are chrome-plated to make them shine and resist rusting. Chromite is the ore mineral for chromium. Chromium is on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. South Africa was the world leader for mine production of chromium in 2024.
Bobsled
Molybdenum - The steel used to make sled frames is mixed with molybdenum to make it stronger and corrosion resistant. China was the world leader for mine production of molybdenum in 2024.
Titanium - Titanium oxide is used to make the white paint on the outside of the sled hull. Titanium is on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. China was the world leader for mine production of ilmenite, an ore mineral for titanium, in 2024.
Quartz Sand - The sled hull is made of strong and lightweight fiberglass. Quartz sand is melted to make fiberglass. The United States of America was the world leader for mine production of sand in 2024.
Alpine Skiing
Tungsten - Weights made of tungsten alloy are in ski bindings to provide balance. Ski poles have durable tungsten carbide tips. Tungsten is on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. China was the world leader for mine production of tungsten in 2024.
Iridium - Some ski goggle lenses have a thin coat of iridium oxide that helps reduce the glare caused by snow. Iridium is on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. South Africa was the world leader for mine production of iridium in 2024.
Aluminum - Ski poles are made with aluminum metal so they are lightweight yet durable. aluminum is sourced from bauxite deposits. Aluminum is on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. Guinea was the world leader for mine production of bauxite in 2024.
Olympic Medals
Gold - Gold medals are mostly silver that is plated with less than 10 grams of gold. China was the world leader for mine production of gold in 2024.
Silver - Silver medals are made from high purity silver. Mexico was the world leader for mine production of silver in 2024.
Copper and Zinc - In recent games, bronze medals are an alloy of copper with a little zinc. Sphalerite is a zine ore. Copper and zinc are both on the 2025 List of Critical Minerals. Chile was the world leader for mine production of copper in 2024. China was the world leader for mine production of zinc in 2024.
‡Photographs and images are from the U.S. Geological Survey, the Smithsonian Institution, and Adobe Stock.
Sources/Usage
Public Domain.
Related
Fluorspar Specimen 2
High-definition image of fluorspar specimen showing translucent texture and pale purple color.
Chromium Chromite Sample 3
High-definition image of chromite specimen with visible crystal grains and dark coloration.
High-definition image of chromite specimen with visible crystal grains and dark coloration.
Molybdenum Ore
USGS mineral specimen of molybdenum ore. High-definition image showing granular texture and metallic inclusions.
USGS mineral specimen of molybdenum ore. High-definition image showing granular texture and metallic inclusions.
Rutile (Titanium Ore)
Isolated rutile specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing prismatic structure and reddish-brown color.
Isolated rutile specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing prismatic structure and reddish-brown color.
Sandstone Group Sample
Group of sandstone specimens from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing varied textures and color tones.
Group of sandstone specimens from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing varied textures and color tones.
Wolframite (Tungsten Ore)
Isolated wolframite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing dense texture and dark metallic luster.
Isolated wolframite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing dense texture and dark metallic luster.
Gold Ore – Carlin Type
Isolated gold ore specimen from Carlin-type deposit. High-definition image showing fine-grained texture and subtle gold content.
Isolated gold ore specimen from Carlin-type deposit. High-definition image showing fine-grained texture and subtle gold content.
Silver Tetrahedrite
Isolated tetrahedrite specimen with silver content. High-definition image showing granular texture and dark coloration.
Isolated tetrahedrite specimen with silver content. High-definition image showing granular texture and dark coloration.
Raw Copper
Isolated high-definition image of raw copper, highlighting its natural reddish tones, rough texture, and unrefined structure from the USGS collection.
Isolated high-definition image of raw copper, highlighting its natural reddish tones, rough texture, and unrefined structure from the USGS collection.
Blister Copper Sample
Isolated blister copper specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing rough surface and oxidized color.
Isolated blister copper specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing rough surface and oxidized color.
Sphalerite Specimen 8
USGS mineral specimen of sphalerite. High-definition image showing crystal structure and dark coloration.
USGS mineral specimen of sphalerite. High-definition image showing crystal structure and dark coloration.
Franklinite, Zincite & Calcite Specimen
Isolated USGS mineral specimen featuring franklinite, zincite, and calcite. High-definition image showing contrasting textures and colors.
Isolated USGS mineral specimen featuring franklinite, zincite, and calcite. High-definition image showing contrasting textures and colors.
Tungsten
Photo Contest Winner | March 2020 | Honorable Mention 1
Critical mineral - tungsten
Photo Contest Winner | March 2020 | Honorable Mention 1
Critical mineral - tungsten
Chromite
Mineral: Chromite
Mineral Origin: Owings Mills, MD
Primary Commodity: Chromium
Primary Commodity Uses: Chromium mostly goes into stainless steel and other alloys, as well as in color pigments.
Mineral: Chromite
Mineral Origin: Owings Mills, MD
Primary Commodity: Chromium
Primary Commodity Uses: Chromium mostly goes into stainless steel and other alloys, as well as in color pigments.
Bauxite
Mineral: Bauxite
Mineral Origin: Les Baux, France (Sample donated by Gary Kingston)
Primary Commodity: Aluminum and Gallium
Mineral: Bauxite
Mineral Origin: Les Baux, France (Sample donated by Gary Kingston)
Primary Commodity: Aluminum and Gallium
Related
Fluorspar Specimen 2
High-definition image of fluorspar specimen showing translucent texture and pale purple color.
High-definition image of fluorspar specimen showing translucent texture and pale purple color.
Chromium Chromite Sample 3
High-definition image of chromite specimen with visible crystal grains and dark coloration.
High-definition image of chromite specimen with visible crystal grains and dark coloration.
Molybdenum Ore
USGS mineral specimen of molybdenum ore. High-definition image showing granular texture and metallic inclusions.
USGS mineral specimen of molybdenum ore. High-definition image showing granular texture and metallic inclusions.
Rutile (Titanium Ore)
Isolated rutile specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing prismatic structure and reddish-brown color.
Isolated rutile specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing prismatic structure and reddish-brown color.
Sandstone Group Sample
Group of sandstone specimens from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing varied textures and color tones.
Group of sandstone specimens from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing varied textures and color tones.
Wolframite (Tungsten Ore)
Isolated wolframite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing dense texture and dark metallic luster.
Isolated wolframite specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing dense texture and dark metallic luster.
Gold Ore – Carlin Type
Isolated gold ore specimen from Carlin-type deposit. High-definition image showing fine-grained texture and subtle gold content.
Isolated gold ore specimen from Carlin-type deposit. High-definition image showing fine-grained texture and subtle gold content.
Silver Tetrahedrite
Isolated tetrahedrite specimen with silver content. High-definition image showing granular texture and dark coloration.
Isolated tetrahedrite specimen with silver content. High-definition image showing granular texture and dark coloration.
Raw Copper
Isolated high-definition image of raw copper, highlighting its natural reddish tones, rough texture, and unrefined structure from the USGS collection.
Isolated high-definition image of raw copper, highlighting its natural reddish tones, rough texture, and unrefined structure from the USGS collection.
Blister Copper Sample
Isolated blister copper specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing rough surface and oxidized color.
Isolated blister copper specimen from the USGS mineral collection. High-definition image showing rough surface and oxidized color.
Sphalerite Specimen 8
USGS mineral specimen of sphalerite. High-definition image showing crystal structure and dark coloration.
USGS mineral specimen of sphalerite. High-definition image showing crystal structure and dark coloration.
Franklinite, Zincite & Calcite Specimen
Isolated USGS mineral specimen featuring franklinite, zincite, and calcite. High-definition image showing contrasting textures and colors.
Isolated USGS mineral specimen featuring franklinite, zincite, and calcite. High-definition image showing contrasting textures and colors.
Tungsten
Photo Contest Winner | March 2020 | Honorable Mention 1
Critical mineral - tungsten
Photo Contest Winner | March 2020 | Honorable Mention 1
Critical mineral - tungsten
Chromite
Mineral: Chromite
Mineral Origin: Owings Mills, MD
Primary Commodity: Chromium
Primary Commodity Uses: Chromium mostly goes into stainless steel and other alloys, as well as in color pigments.
Mineral: Chromite
Mineral Origin: Owings Mills, MD
Primary Commodity: Chromium
Primary Commodity Uses: Chromium mostly goes into stainless steel and other alloys, as well as in color pigments.
Bauxite
Mineral: Bauxite
Mineral Origin: Les Baux, France (Sample donated by Gary Kingston)
Primary Commodity: Aluminum and Gallium
Mineral: Bauxite
Mineral Origin: Les Baux, France (Sample donated by Gary Kingston)
Primary Commodity: Aluminum and Gallium