Cryolite is an ore of aluminum. This means that cryolite is a mineral that contains aluminum in a form that can be extracted and used for various purposes. Aluminum is a lightweight, silvery-white metal that is commonly used in industries such as construction, transportation, and packaging due to its low density, high strength, and corrosion resistance. Cryolite is an important source of aluminum because it contains a high concentration of the metal, making it economically viable to extract and process. Bauxite is another common aluminum ore.