klambrite

Klambrite is a rare silicate mineral that was described from the Klamath Mountain region in the western United States. The name is derived from the nearby Klamath Mountains. It is notable for chemical variability within a solid-solution series and is described as a hydrated aluminosilicate containing calcium, sodium, iron, and magnesium, with minor substitutions depending on local geochemical conditions.

In terms of structure and appearance, klambrite commonly forms prismatic crystals that range from pale green to grayish-green and has a vitreous luster. Its hardness is typically cited around 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. It occurs primarily in metamorphic rock settings, especially within pegmatitic pockets, and is often found alongside quartz, feldspar, and mica. Crystallographic reports place it in the monoclinic system, with cleavage that is not perfectly developed in all directions.

Occurrence and significance: Klambrite is a rare mineral whose specimens are mostly of interest to collectors and researchers. There are no known large-scale deposits or established industrial applications. Its primary value lies in contributing to understandings of metamorphic processes, mineral solid-solution series, and the behavior of hydrated silicates under varying pressure and temperature conditions.

Discovery and naming: The mineral was identified by researchers working in the Klamath Mountains in the 1980s and was named to reflect its geographic origin. Further work has sought to characterize its compositional range and its relationship to neighboring silicate phases.