Palautesyklerit

Palautesyklerit is a rare, naturally occurring mineral that belongs to the carbonate mineral group. It was first discovered in 1985 in the Palautes mine in the Greek island of Evia. The mineral is named after the mine where it was found, which is derived from the Greek word "palautes," meaning "return."

Palautesyklerit is a calcium carbonate mineral with the chemical formula CaCO3. It typically forms as a secondary mineral in limestone caves and is often associated with other carbonate minerals such as calcite and aragonite. The mineral is known for its distinctive crystal habit, which consists of elongated, prismatic crystals that can reach lengths of up to 10 centimeters.

Palautesyklerit is transparent to translucent and has a white to light yellow color. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is 3, and it has a specific gravity of approximately 2.75. The mineral exhibits a vitreous to pearly luster and has perfect cleavage in one direction.

Due to its rarity and the specific conditions required for its formation, palautesyklerit is not commonly found in mineral collections. However, it is of interest to mineralogists and collectors who study carbonate minerals and their geological origins. The mineral's discovery has contributed to the understanding of the mineralogy and geology of the Palautes mine and the surrounding area.