Ionikanalite

Ionikanalite is a rare mineral discovered in 2019, found in the Khibina alkaline complex in the Kola Peninsula, Russia. It is named after the Ionikan River, which flows near the discovery site. The mineral is a complex oxide with the chemical formula Na2Ca2Fe3+3Ti2(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2. Its crystal structure is unique, featuring a combination of octahedral and tetrahedral coordination sites, which is uncommon in natural minerals.

Ionikanalite crystallizes in the monoclinic system, typically forming prismatic crystals. It is usually found in association with other rare minerals such as loparite and perovskite. The mineral exhibits a dark brown to black color, with a metallic luster. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is approximately 5.5, and it has a specific gravity of around 4.2.

The discovery of ionikanalite has contributed to the understanding of the complex mineralogy of the Khibina complex and has provided insights into the geological processes that occur in alkaline igneous rocks. Further research on ionikanalite may reveal additional information about its crystal chemistry and potential applications in materials science.