Iomikiteesta

Iomikiteesta is a naturally occurring mineral with the chemical formula Fe2+Fe3+2(MoO4)3. It is a member of the molybdate group of minerals. Iomikiteesta was first discovered in the Karkonosze Mountains in Poland and was officially recognized by the International Mineralogical Association in 2014. The mineral is typically found in association with other iron and molybdenum-bearing minerals in hydrothermal veins and oxidized zones of ore deposits.

The crystal structure of Iomikiteesta is characterized by isolated molybdate tetrahedra and octahedrally coordinated iron ions. It commonly forms as small, dark reddish-brown to black crystals, often with a vitreous luster. The hardness of Iomikiteesta is around 3.5 on the Mohs scale, and it has a relatively high specific gravity. It is an opaque mineral and does not exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

The formation of Iomikiteesta is generally attributed to the oxidation of sulfide minerals containing iron and molybdenum under surficial conditions. Its discovery contributes to the understanding of mineral paragenesis in specific geological environments. While not an economically significant ore mineral, Iomikiteesta is of interest to mineralogists and geochemists for its unique chemical composition and crystal structure. Further research may shed light on its occurrence in other locations and its role in mineral weathering processes.