'zeolite-rich' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of 'zeolite' and the adjective 'rich', where 'zeolite' refers to the mineral name (from Greek roots) and 'rich' meant 'abundant in'.

'zeolite' was coined in the 18th century by Swedish mineralogist Axel Cronstedt from Greek elements 'zeo-' (to boil) and 'lithos' (stone); 'rich' comes from Old English 'rice' meaning 'powerful' or 'abundant'. These elements combined in Modern English scientific usage to form compounds such as 'zeolite-rich'.

Initially, the Greek-derived element for 'zeolite' conveyed a sense of 'boiling/foaming stone' (because some zeolites effervesced when heated); over time it became the standard name for a group of microporous aluminosilicate minerals. The compound 'zeolite-rich' has come to mean 'abundant in zeolite' in geological and industrial contexts.