minoritile

Minoritile is a proposed mineral species in mineralogy. The name derives from minority, reflecting its alleged rarity in Earth's crust. The concept has appeared in a limited number of theoretical discussions and has not been supported by a confirmed specimen or validated crystallographic data.

Proposed composition and structure. In several models, minoritile is described as an aluminosilicate with a framework of silicon and aluminum tetrahedra, with trace substitutions by iron and magnesium. The exact composition and symmetry have not been agreed upon, and multiple crystal-structure proposals exist, with suggested monoclinic or orthorhombic systems.

Physical properties. Predicted properties for minoritile include a Mohs hardness around 6, a specific gravity near 3.2–3.6, a vitreous luster, and a pale to colorless to light-green appearance. Cleavage is expected to be indistinct or poor.

Occurrence and formation. If real, minoritile would be expected to form in high-grade metamorphic settings or ultrahigh-pressure environments, potentially in association with garnet, kyanite, and coesite. To date, there are no confirmed specimens or locality reports.

Status and reception. Minoritile has not been approved by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) as a distinct mineral species. It remains a hypothetical construct in mineralogical literature, cited mainly in discussions of possible end-members of silicate frameworks rather than a confirmed mineral locality.