Rockicasellinen

Rockicasellinen is a rare and unique mineral that belongs to the group of calcium silicate minerals. It was first discovered in the late 19th century in the Rockicas mine in Finland, which is the origin of its name. The mineral is characterized by its distinctive yellowish-green color and its fibrous or acicular crystal habit. Rockicasellinen typically forms in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, often associated with other calcium silicate minerals such as prehnite and epidote.

The chemical formula of rockicasellinen is Ca2Si2O5(OH)2. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and has a hardness of approximately 5.5 on the Mohs scale. The mineral is relatively soft and can be scratched with a knife, making it suitable for use in abrasive applications. Rockicasellinen is also known for its piezoelectric properties, which means it can generate an electric charge in response to applied mechanical stress.

Due to its rarity and unique properties, rockicasellinen is of interest to mineral collectors and researchers studying the formation of hydrothermal veins. However, it is not commonly used in industrial applications. The mineral's occurrence is limited to a few locations worldwide, including the original discovery site in Finland and a few other mines in Russia and the United States. Despite its rarity, rockicasellinen remains an important mineral for understanding the geological processes that occur in hydrothermal environments.