Keelingin
Keelingin is a rare green silicate mineral named after the Keeling Islands in the Indian Ocean. It was described from hydrothermally altered basaltic rocks on a small islet and is characterized by olive-green to emerald-green prismatic crystals with a vitreous luster. Crystals are typically tiny, seldom exceeding a few millimeters in length, and crystallize in the monoclinic system.
Chemically, Keelingin is a potassium–iron silicate. Its structure consists of silicate tetrahedra linked into chains, with
Occurrence and formation: Keelingin forms during hydrothermal alteration of coastal basalt in tropical island environments, where
Name and classification: Keelingin is placed in the silicate mineral group, with the name reflecting the geographic
Uses and research: Due to its scarcity, Keelingin has no practical industrial applications. It is studied for