Alstonine

Alstonine is a rare mineral discovered in 1985 by mineralogist Robert C. Alston. It is named after its discoverer. Alstonine is a complex borate mineral with the chemical formula Na2Ca2B5O9(OH)4. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and typically forms small, colorless to white crystals. The mineral is found in the volcanic rocks of the Eifel region in Germany, where it occurs in association with other borate minerals such as szaibelyite and datolite.

Alstonine is of interest to mineralogists due to its unique crystal structure and the presence of both sodium and calcium in its composition. It is also notable for its rarity, as it is one of the less common borate minerals. The mineral's discovery has contributed to the understanding of the geological processes involved in the formation of borate minerals in volcanic environments.

Alstonine has no known commercial applications, but its study provides valuable insights into the geochemistry of borate minerals and the conditions under which they form. The mineral's rarity and the challenges associated with its identification and characterization make it a subject of ongoing research in the field of mineralogy.