Yanlglarnite

Yanlglarnite is a fictional silicate mineral described in geology educational materials as a member of the garnet group. It is used to illustrate garnet chemistry, crystallography, and mineral identification.

Etymology: The name honors a fictional mineralogist, Yan L. Glarn, and follows the Garnet-family naming convention that ends with -ite.

Composition and structure: The nominal formula is approximated as Y3Al2(SiO4)3, with substitutions by iron, magnesium, and other rare-earth elements. Yanlglarnite crystallizes in the isometric crystal system and is isostructural with natural garnets, adopting the X3Y2(SiO4)3 framework that characterizes garnet minerals.

Physical properties: It is described as a color range from pale yellow to green, with a vitreous luster and a white streak. Mohs hardness is 6.5–7, and the specific gravity is about 3.9–4.2. The mineral shows no cleavage; its fracture is uneven to conchoidal, and crystals are typically euhedral to granular. Optical properties are isotropic, consistent with its cubic symmetry.

Occurrence and significance: In the fictional scenario, yanlglarnite forms during high-temperature metamorphism of yttrium-rich silicate rocks, commonly in granulite facies, and is reported alongside other garnet-group minerals. It is not known to occur in nature outside teaching examples and is used to illustrate garnet-substitution chemistry and mineral identification. See also Garnet group; Silicate minerals.