Smeroit

Smeroit is a rare and unusual mineral, first discovered in the late 19th century. It is named after its discoverer, the Russian mineralogist, Sergey Ivanovich Smerdov. Smeroit is a complex oxide mineral, with the chemical formula Na2Ca2Fe2+2Fe3+2(Si2O7)2O2. It is typically found in granitic pegmatites and is often associated with other rare minerals such as beryl and tourmaline. Smeroit crystals are usually dark green to black in color, with a vitreous luster. They are typically prismatic in shape, with a distinct cleavage. Smeroit is not commonly found in large quantities and is therefore not widely used in industry. However, it is of interest to mineral collectors and researchers due to its rarity and unique properties. The mineral's name, "smeroit," is derived from the Russian word "smerd," which means "smelly," a reference to the mineral's distinctive odor when heated.