karkassile

Karkassile is a rare and enigmatic mineral discovered in the late 20th century. It is primarily found in the remote regions of the Kola Peninsula in Russia, where it occurs in small, scattered deposits within serpentinite rocks. The mineral was first identified in 1987 by a team of Russian geologists, who named it after the Russian word for "skeleton" (karkas), reflecting its unique, skeletal-like crystal structure.

Karkassile is a complex silicate mineral with the chemical formula (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4. It crystallizes in the monoclinic system and typically forms prismatic crystals with a distinct, skeletal appearance. The mineral is usually colorless or white, but can also exhibit shades of gray or yellow due to impurities. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is approximately 5.5, and it has a specific gravity of around 3.1.

The exact formation conditions of karkassile are not fully understood, but it is believed to form under low-temperature, hydrothermal conditions. Its rarity and unique properties make it a subject of interest for mineralogists and geologists studying the Earth's crust and the processes that shape it. Despite its scientific significance, karkassile has no known industrial applications and is primarily of interest to collectors and researchers.