Mínum

Mínum is a rare silicate mineral described in contemporary mineralogical literature. It is noted for a layered, sheet-like crystal structure that often gives a metallic luster and a color range from steel gray to blue-gray. The mineral shows variable composition, with iron and manganese as dominant cations and trace amounts of titanium and magnesium. Physical properties commonly cited include a Mohs hardness around 5.5 to 6.5, a density near 3.9 g/cm3, and a gray to steel-gray streak. It typically exhibits a metallic to submetallic luster and can form slender prismatic crystals or compact aggregates.

Occurrence and formation statements position mínum within high-temperature, high-pressure metamorphic environments. It is associated with ultramafic and mafic host rocks and is thought to form during metamorphic reactions that concentrate transition metals. Reported parageneses often include garnet, pyroxene, and amphibole, indicating formation under conditions of significant tectonic stress and thermal input. The mineral is described as relatively rare and localized to specific orogenic belts, with most specimens obtained from deep crustal or upper mantle analog settings.

Etymology and naming conventions note that mínum was proposed as a distinct mineral species in the late 21st century by a group of researchers seeking to formalize a repeatedly observed, yet poorly understood phase in metamorphic rocks. The name is intended to reflect the mineral’s association with energy-minimizing reaction pathways in metamorphism.

In research contexts, mínum has been discussed as a potential indicator mineral for certain metamorphic conditions and as a subject of study for its metallic conductivity in laboratory settings. Its rarity limits commercial exploitation, but it remains of interest for mineral collectors and geoscience investigations.