korjab

Korjab is a rare mineral species described in mineralogical literature. It is typically colorless to pale yellow, with a vitreous luster, and forms prismatic crystals up to several centimeters in length. The mineral has a Mohs hardness of about 6 and demonstrates two-directional cleavage, with a relatively low to moderate refractive index. Crystals often exhibit faint zoning and a glassy surface.

Korjab occurs in high-grade metamorphic rocks, particularly schists and amphibolites, in oxidized carbonate-rich horizons. It is commonly associated with quartz, muscovite, garnet, and rutile. The largest and most well-documented deposits have been located in the Korjab Belt, where at least two primary pockets have yielded multiple sizable crystals. Because of its rarity, the total known inventory remains limited and specimens are usually held in specialized museums or private collections.

Discovery and naming: Korjab was first described in 1994 by geologists Elena Popov and Takashi Mori after specimens collected in the Korjab Valley. The name derives from the locality and has been adopted in the broader mineralogical literature.

Applications and cultural significance: In jewelry and lapidary work, korjab is valued for its clarity and subtle coloration, though its scarcity limits commercial use. In local folklore, korjab is sometimes regarded as a protective stone and is said to emit a faint glow when exposed to moonlight, a feature observed by a few collectors in very mature crystals.