Vocabulary · Nature
Rocks and minerals in English
B1
Rocks and minerals in English: precious and common metals, gemstones, rocks and stones, coal and fossils, with words that are easy to mix up like stone and rock. With British pronunciation (IPA) and examples.
Quick answer
Precious metals
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| gold(n.)“This ring is made of gold.” | a precious yellow metal | /ɡəʊld/ |
| silver(n.)“Silver tarnishes over time.” | a precious, shiny grey metal | /ˈsɪlvə/ |
| platinum(n.) | a rare, precious white-grey metal | /ˈplætɪnəm/ |
| copper(n.) | a reddish-brown metal used in wires | /ˈkɒpə/ |
| bronze(n.) | a brown metal made from copper and tin | /brɒnz/ |
| brass(n.) | a yellow metal made from copper and zinc | /brɑːs/ |
Common metals
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| iron(n.)“Iron is a strong metal.” | a strong grey metal | /ˈaɪən/ |
| steel(n.) | a very strong metal made from iron | /stiːl/ |
| aluminium(n.) | a light, silver-coloured metal | /ˌæljəˈmɪniəm/ |
| aluminum(n.) | a light, silver-coloured metal | /əˈluːmɪnəm/ |
| tin(n.) | a soft, silvery metal; a food can | /tɪn/ |
| lead(n.) | a heavy, soft grey metal | /led/ |
| zinc(n.) | a bluish-white metal | /zɪŋk/ |
| mercury(n.) | a liquid silver metal; a planet | /ˈmɜːkjəri/ |
Gemstones
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| diamond(n.)“A diamond ring is a classic gift.” | a very hard, clear precious stone | /ˈdaɪəmənd/ |
| ruby(n.) | a red precious stone | /ˈruːbi/ |
| emerald(n.) | a green precious stone | /ˈemərəld/ |
| sapphire(n.) | a blue precious stone | /ˈsæfaɪə/ |
| pearl(n.) | a small white ball from an oyster | /pɜːl/ |
| crystal(n.) | a clear stone with flat sides | /ˈkrɪstl/ |
| gem(n.) | a beautiful, rare stone for jewellery | /dʒem/ |
| jade(n.) | a green stone used in jewellery | /dʒeɪd/ |
Stones and rocks
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| rock(n.)“There are big rocks on the beach.” | the hard material of the ground | /rɒk/ |
| stone(n.) | a small piece of rock | /stəʊn/ |
| pebble(n.) | a small, smooth stone | /ˈpebl/ |
| granite(n.) | a very hard grey rock | /ˈɡrænɪt/ |
| marble(n.) | a smooth stone used for statues | /ˈmɑːbl/ |
| limestone(n.) | a pale rock used for building | /ˈlaɪmstəʊn/ |
| slate(n.) | a dark grey rock used for roofs | /sleɪt/ |
| quartz(n.) | a hard, clear mineral | /kwɔːts/ |
Coal and fossils
| Word | Meaning | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| coal(n.)“Coal was used to heat homes.” | a black rock that people burn | /kəʊl/ |
| oil(n.) | a thick black liquid from the ground | /ɔɪl/ |
| gas(n.) | a natural fuel for heating and cooking | /ɡæs/ |
| fossil(n.) | what remains of an ancient plant or animal | /ˈfɒsl/ |
| mineral(n.) | a natural solid substance from the earth | /ˈmɪnərəl/ |
| salt(n.) | white crystals we add to food | /sɔːlt/ |
Common mistakes to avoid
Aluminium (UK) or aluminum (US)?
The spelling AND the pronunciation are different. UK: aluminium /ˌæljəˈmɪniəm/ (five syllables). US: aluminum /əˈluːmɪnəm/ (four syllables). It is the same metal (Al) in both countries.
Lead /led/ ≠ lead /liːd/
Same spelling, two pronunciations. Lead /led/ is the metal. Lead /liːd/ is a verb that means to guide. The context tells you which one. In the past simple, the verb lead becomes led.
Stone or rock?
Stone is a material for building, or a smaller, smoother piece. Rock is the natural material of the ground, or a big, rough piece. The difference is small, but native speakers notice it.
Practice quiz
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between aluminium and aluminum?+
There is no chemical difference: it is the same metal (Al, atomic number 13). The difference is in how people use the word. Aluminium is British and international, with five syllables: /ˌæljəˈmɪniəm/. Aluminum is American, with four syllables: /əˈluːmɪnəm/. Choose the one that fits your reader.
Why does lead have two pronunciations?+
These are two different words with the same spelling. Lead /led/ is a metal (a noun). Lead /liːd/ means to guide or to be in charge (a verb). Words like this are called homographs. The past simple of the verb lead /liːd/ is led /led/, which sounds like the metal.
What is the difference between stone and rock?+
Stone is often a smaller, smoother piece, or a material for building: a stone wall, a gemstone. Rock is often bigger and rougher, and it is the word that geology uses: a big rock, rocky mountains. You can often use both, but the difference is important.
What is a gemstone?+
A gemstone (or gem) is a beautiful, rare stone used in jewellery. You can also say precious stone. The four classic gems are diamond, ruby, emerald and sapphire. A pearl comes from an animal (an oyster), so it is not really a stone.
What is the difference between coal and charcoal?+
Coal is a black rock from the ground that people burn for energy: a coal mine. Charcoal is made from burnt wood, and people use it for barbecues and for drawing: a charcoal grill. They are two different words.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/vocabulary/rocks-and-minerals
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.