Kudusten

Kudusten is a rare mineral classified as a hydrated aluminosilicate with variable magnesium and iron content. It forms in high-grade metamorphic rocks and is typically found as small, prismatic crystals embedded in foliated host rocks. The mineral was named after the Kudust region, where the type specimen was collected, and was first described by mineralogist Lia K. Norr in the mid-1990s.

Etymology and discovery

The name kudusten honors the locality of its initial discovery. The type material was recovered from a quartz-rich schist in the Kudust massif, and subsequent analyses established its place within the aluminosilicate group. Since then, isolated finds have been reported in nearby terranes, but the Kudust locality remains the most significant source.

Occurrence and formation

Kudusten forms under regional metamorphic conditions, often in association with garnet, staurolite, and cordierite. It is believed to arise from metasomatic alteration of aluminous rock during exhumation and metamorphic re-equilibration, with its composition reflecting a range of Mg and Fe substitutions. The mineral typically occupies microcracks and grain boundaries, suggesting limited primary crystallization and a strong dependence on metamorphic fluid activity.

Physical properties

Kudusten exhibits a vitreous to silky luster and a color range from olive-green to brownish-green. It is usually translucent and shows a monoclinic crystal system with prismatic habits. Hardness is around 6 on the Mohs scale, and density estimates fall roughly between 3.2 and 3.6 g/cm3. Crystal forms are often poorly developed due to metamorphic overprint.

Uses and significance

Because kudusten is rare and localized, it has little commercial use. It is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying metamorphic processes and aluminosilicate mineralogy. Its occurrence can contribute to understanding the geochemical evolution of the Kudust region and similar terranes.