Liionit

Liionit is a rare mineral discovered in 1997, found in the Kola Peninsula of Russia. It is named after lithium, as it is the first known lithium-bearing mineral. Liionit is a lithium aluminum phosphate with the chemical formula LiAl(PO4)(OH)(H2O). It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and typically forms small, colorless to white crystals or aggregates.

The mineral is notable for its unique crystal structure and its significance in the field of geology and mineralogy. Liionit is part of the larger group of phosphate minerals and is often associated with other phosphate minerals such as triphylite and amblygonite. It is typically found in granitic pegmatites, which are igneous rocks formed from the slow crystallization of magma.

Liionit's discovery has contributed to the understanding of lithium's geological behavior and its role in the formation of certain types of rocks. The mineral's rarity and the specific conditions under which it forms make it a subject of interest for researchers studying the Earth's crust and the processes that shape it. Despite its scientific importance, Liionit is not of significant economic value due to its rarity and the small quantities in which it is found.