doktorite

Doktorite is a rare and unique mineral species that was first discovered in 1961 in the Doktoka River area of the Kola Peninsula, Russia. It is named after the Doktoka River, where it was found. Doktorite is a member of the olivine group of minerals, which are characterized by their olivine-like structure and chemical composition.

The mineral is typically found in ultramafic rocks, such as dunites and peridotites, which are rich in magnesium and iron. Doktorite is a magnesium iron silicate with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe)2SiO4. It forms in the upper mantle of the Earth, at depths of approximately 40 to 100 kilometers, where the high temperatures and pressures favor the formation of olivine minerals.

Doktorite is a greenish-black mineral with a vitreous to resinous luster and a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It has a specific gravity of about 3.3 to 3.4 and a cleavage that is perfect in two directions. The mineral is typically found in small, anhedral crystals, often associated with other olivine minerals such as forsterite and fayalite.

Doktorite is not a commercially significant mineral, and it is not typically collected by mineral enthusiasts due to its rarity and the difficulty of finding it in suitable locations. However, it is of interest to scientists studying the Earth's mantle and the processes that occur within it. The mineral provides valuable insights into the composition and structure of the upper mantle, and its study contributes to our understanding of the Earth's geological history and evolution.