Pinnoiteita

Pinnoiteita is a rare mineral species discovered in 2017. It is a tellurite mineral, meaning it contains the tellurium element. The mineral was first found in the Pinnoite mine in the Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia. Pinnoiteita is characterized by its unique chemical composition, which includes sodium, calcium, tellurium, and oxygen. Its crystal structure is monoclinic, and it typically forms as small, prismatic crystals.

The mineral's name is derived from its discovery location, the Pinnoite mine, and its chemical composition, which includes tellurium. Pinnoiteita is of interest to mineralogists and geologists due to its rarity and the unique elements it contains. It is also studied for its potential use in the field of materials science, as tellurium is a semiconductor.

Pinnoiteita is classified as a secondary mineral, meaning it forms as a result of weathering and alteration processes. It is often found in association with other tellurite minerals, such as tellurite and tellurium dioxide. The mineral's color ranges from colorless to white, and it has a vitreous luster. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is approximately 2.5, making it relatively soft.

Despite its rarity, pinnoiteita has gained attention in the scientific community due to its unique properties and the insights it provides into the geological processes that form tellurite minerals. Ongoing research continues to explore its potential applications and further understand its formation and occurrence.