Uvarovit

Uvarovite is a chromium-bearing garnet mineral with the chemical formula Ca3Cr2Si3O12. It represents the chromium-rich end-member of the garnet group and is typically green in color due to Cr3+.

In mineralogical terms, uvarovite forms in the isometric crystal system and belongs to the garnet family. Crystals are often small euhedra with a vitreous luster, and they can range from transparent to translucent. The green color can vary from olive to deep emerald, and the material is generally considered rare in mineral specimens.

Uvarovite occurs chiefly in ultramafic and metamorphosed rock environments, particularly serpentinized rocks and chromite-rich hosts. It is commonly found associated with other chromian minerals and garnets. The mineral is more of a collector’s and specimen mineral than a practical ore source, and gem-quality crystals are uncommon but sought after by enthusiasts.

The mineral was named after the Russian figure Sergei Semenovich Uvarov, in line with a tradition of naming minerals after notable scientists and benefactors. The type locality is reported as Uvarovka, Russia, with subsequent occurrences documented in other chromium-bearing rock masses around the world.

In summary, uvarovite is a rare, emerald-green garnet end-member, valued mainly by collectors for its color and crystal form. Its occurrence in chromium-rich metamorphic rocks reflects its distinctive composition and the broader diversity of garnet minerals.