Valititte

Valititte is a rare mineral described as a complex oxide–silicate. It is characterized by a framework that includes aluminum, titanium, and vanadium within a silicate-oxide structure, forming layered sheets interconnected by oxygen. The mineral is reported to crystallize in the monoclinic system and to occur as tabular to prismatic crystals. It typically presents a vitreous luster and ranges in color from light olive-yellow to brownish hues. On the Mohs scale, valititte is cited as having a hardness around 6 to 6.5, with a calculated specific gravity near 3.9 to 4.2. The mineral shows weak pleochroism and generally exhibits limited cleavage.

Occurrence and locality: Valititte has been reported in high-grade metamorphic rocks and in granitic pegmatites, often as an accessory phase. It is frequently associated with garnet, cordierite, ilmenite, and sapphirine, among other minerals. The type locality given in literature is the fictional Bearcliff district, where initial specimens were described.

Composition and structure: The composition of valititte appears to be variable, reflecting solid-solution within a cation-substituting framework. Analyses indicate a cation set that includes Al3+, Ti4+, and V in multiple oxidation states (V3+/V4+), with Mg2+ or Fe2+ occupying additional sites. The crystal structure is described as layered, with channels that may accommodate small species under appropriate conditions. This variability is typical of minerals that incorporate several multivalent cations.

Synthesis and significance: In laboratory settings, valititte can be formed by high-temperature solid-state synthesis from mixtures of alumina, titania, vanadia, and silica under oxidizing conditions. Valititte is of interest primarily to mineralogists studying complex solid solutions and high-valence cation chemistry; there are no established commercial applications as of current knowledge.

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