dolomiitide

Dolomiitide is a hypothetical carbonate mineral commonly used in geology education to illustrate dolomite-like composition and mineral classification. It serves as an end-member in discussions of solid-solution series among carbonate minerals and as a tool for teaching crystal chemistry and crystallography.

Idealized composition and structure: the model assigns dolomiitide the formula CaMg(CO3)2, placing it in the dolomite family. In teaching contexts, trace substitutions such as Fe2+, Mn2+, or Sr2+ may occur, affecting color, density, and other properties. Dolomiitide is described as having a trigonal (rhombohedral) crystal system with rhombohedral cleavage, commonly forming small prisms to larger crystals. Its Mohs hardness is placed around 3.5 to 4, and a specific gravity near 2.9 to 3.0. In ideal form it is colorless or pale gray; impurities can produce a range of hues.

Occurrence and synthesis: because dolomiitide is hypothetical, it is not known to occur naturally. In educational settings, it is used to demonstrate how carbonate minerals form in sedimentary systems and how Ca2+ and Mg2+ cations substitute within the carbonate lattice. It can also be produced synthetically in laboratory experiments to illustrate crystallization from carbonate-rich solutions and to compare properties with calcite and natural dolomite.

Etymology and significance: the name derives from its relation to dolomite and the conventional -ite mineral suffix. Dolomiitide remains a teaching construct rather than a confirmed mineral, but it provides a convenient framework for exploring carbonate mineralogy and solid-solution behavior. See also Dolomite, Calcite, Carbonate minerals.