alverite

Alverite is a rare mineral species described as a mixed aluminum vanadate, found in highly aluminous geological environments. It is typically interpreted as forming through metasomatic or hydrothermal processes that introduce vanadium into aluminum-rich host rocks. In the mineral literature, alverite is noted for its distinctive color range and its tendency to occur in small, prismatic crystals or as fine-grained aggregates.

In terms of composition and structure, alverite is described as predominantly aluminum-vanadate with possible substitutions of iron, titanium, and chromium. Its reported crystal system is tetragonal, and it commonly has a vitreous luster with a pale gray to emerald green or blue-green color. Typical hardness is around 6 on the Mohs scale, and measured densities fall in the low to mid 3s g/cm3. The mineral may exhibit weak pleochroism and moderate transparency in finely crystalline samples.

Occurrence and formation are linked to high-temperature, aluminum-rich settings such as pegmatites and metamorphic rocks subjected to vanadium-bearing fluids. It is often associated with quartz, muscovite, beryl, and other aluminous minerals. Because alverite is rare, it is primarily of interest to collectors and researchers studying aluminovanadate mineralogy rather than a widespread ore source.

Etymology traces the name to the fictional Alver Valley, a common practice in speculative mineralogy to honor a geographic feature. No widely used commercial applications exist for alverite, though its properties have made it a subject of discussion in theoretical discussions of aluminum-vanadium solid solutions. See also aluminovanadates and vanadates.