Erlichmanite

Erlichmanite is a mineral name that has appeared in a small number of publications but is not widely recognized as a valid mineral species by major mineral databases. The name is typically presented as an eponym, honoring a person with the surname Erlichman. The status of erlichmanite in the scientific literature remains unsettled; there is no widely cited peer‑reviewed description establishing a definitive chemical composition, crystal structure, or formal type locality.

Classification and composition reports for erlichmanite are inconsistent. Some sources have tentatively described specimens labeled erlichmanite as oxide- or silicate-rich phases, but these identifications have not been consistently validated and may reflect misidentifications of better‑known minerals. Because no robust, peer‑reviewed description exists, a standardized chemical formula and crystal system have not been established.

Crystallography and physical properties are likewise indeterminate in reliable sources. Without a formal description or IMA validation, properties such as color, hardness, luster, cleavage, streak, and specific gravity are not established for erlichmanite and are not used in routine mineral identification.

Occurrence reports are fragmentary, with occasional mentions of a single locality or uncertain provenance in early literature. Until a formal description is published and approved, erlichmanite remains a doubtful or provisional name in mineral nomenclature.

See also: Mineral nomenclature, List of minerals, Eponym in mineralogy.

References: This article reflects the current uncertain status of erlichmanite; readers should consult up‑to‑date mineral databases and journals for any new developments.