Crossword Genius

Mum is collecting good, soft rock (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

magma

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'soft rock' is the definition.
'magma' can be an answer for 'rock' (magma is a kind of rock). I'm not sure about the 'soft' bit.

'mum is collecting good' is the wordplay.
'mum' becomes 'mama' (synonyms).
'is collecting' is an insertion indicator.
'good' becomes 'g' (abbreviation).
'mama' enclosing 'g' is 'MAGMA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for magma that I've seen before include "Lava" , "Semi-fluid material within the earth's crust" , "Hot fluid rock" , "That's hot!" , "Glassy volcanic rock" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app