Siiderit

Siiderit is a rare mineral belonging to the zeolite group, characterized by its unique chemical composition and crystal structure. It was first discovered in the Siiderit mine in the Kola Peninsula, Russia, and is named after this locality. The mineral is typically found in low-temperature hydrothermal veins, often associated with other zeolites and calcite.

Siiderit crystallizes in the monoclinic system, forming prismatic crystals that can reach up to 1 cm in length. Its color ranges from colorless to white, and it has a vitreous luster. The mineral is translucent to transparent, with a white streak and a hardness of approximately 5 on the Mohs scale.

The chemical formula of siiderit is Na12Ca6[Al18Si30O96] · 26H2O. This formula indicates that siiderit is a sodium-calcium-aluminum-silicate hydrate. The mineral's structure consists of a three-dimensional framework of corner-sharing AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra, with sodium and calcium ions occupying the interstices.

Siiderit is of interest to mineralogists and geologists due to its rarity and unique properties. It is also a potential source of aluminum and silica, which are valuable in various industrial applications. However, due to its rarity and the challenges associated with mining and processing, siiderit is not currently a significant commercial resource.