Lebedevaite

Lebedevaite is a rare mineral discovered in 1991 in Quebec, Canada. It was named after N.I. Lebedeva, a Russian-American geologist. The mineral is a member of the chloanthite group and has a chemical composition of Ca2Al3Si3O14(OH)4·3H2O.

Lebedevaite is typically found in metamorphic rocks, particularly in greenschist metamorphic facies rock fragments. It often occurs in association with other secondary minerals, such as calcite and quartz. The mineral is known to form through the alteration of albite and jadeite, and it likely forms at high temperatures in the presence of water.

In terms of its physical properties, lebedevaite is a colorless or white mineral that is transparent to translucent. It has a monoclinic crystal system and typically occurs in tabular or prismatic crystals. The mineral has a Mohs hardness of 3-4 and a density of approximately 2.24 g/cm3.

Lebedevaite is an extremely rare mineral and has been found in only a few locations around the world, including Quebec, Canada, and in Russia. The lack of availability and rarity of the mineral have limited its study and characterization, making it a subject of ongoing interest among mineralogists.

Due to its rarity and limited availability, lebedevaite has not been subjected to extensive study or commercial excavation. It is likely to be of interest to collectors and researchers in the field of mineralogy, but it remains a relatively poorly understood mineral at this time.