Neobinuite

Neobinuite is a hypothetical mineral species used in mineralogy to illustrate naming, classification, and crystallographic concepts. It is not an officially recognized mineral in major geological databases or typologies.

Etymology and nomenclature: The name combines the prefix neo- (new) with the common mineral suffix -inite, reflecting its role as a teaching or placeholder example rather than a documented natural specimen.

Composition and structure: In theoretical descriptions, neobinuite is imagined as a sodium-containing silicate with a layered framework. A representative empirical formula often cited in illustrative texts is NaBiSi4O12(OH)2, though exact composition is variable in speculative models. The hypothetical crystal system is described as tetragonal, with a layered, tetrahedrally coordinated silicate structure.

Physical properties (hypothetical): In example descriptions, neobinuite is said to have a Mohs hardness around 5–6, a vitreous to pearly luster, and a color range from colorless to pale yellow or pinkish. The theoretical specific gravity is placed in the 3.3–3.6 range. Transparency is described as ranging from transparent to translucent.

Occurrence and formation: No natural locality is documented for neobinuite. In teaching and modeling contexts, it is often described as forming in high-temperature hydrothermal scenarios or as a synthetic product used to explore crystallization pathways and structure types.

Synthesis and use in education: Laboratory analogs that resemble neobinuite-like frameworks are sometimes discussed to demonstrate silicate layering, polytypes, and crystallographic nomenclature. The term serves as a neutral placeholder rather than a descriptive of an actual mineral.

Note: This article presents a fictional mineral concept for instructional purposes and does not reflect verified scientific data.