Sekoite

Sekoite is a rare mineral with the chemical formula (NH4)2Fe(SO4)2(SO4) · 6H2O. It was first discovered in 1972 in the Seko mine, located in the Khibiny Massif of the Kola Peninsula, Russia. The mineral is named after the mine where it was found. Sekoite is a secondary mineral, formed through the oxidation of sulfide minerals in the presence of ammonia. It typically occurs as small, pale yellow to white crystals or crusts.

Sekoite belongs to the sulfate mineral group and is characterized by its ammonium content and the presence of iron. It is often associated with other secondary minerals such as melanterite, epsomite, and gypsum. The mineral has a Mohs hardness of 2.5 to 3 and a specific gravity of approximately 2.1. It is soluble in water and can form efflorescent crusts in arid environments.

Due to its rarity and the specific conditions required for its formation, sekoite is not commonly used in industrial applications. However, it is of interest to mineralogists and collectors for its unique chemical composition and the geological context in which it is found. The study of sekoite contributes to our understanding of the processes involved in the weathering and oxidation of sulfide minerals in various geological settings.