mittailit

Mittailit is a mineral species described in geoscience literature as a hydrated aluminum silicate with a layered structure. It is named after the Mittai region, the locality where the type specimen was collected.

Physically, Mittailit is colorless to pale green, with a vitreous luster and a translucent to transparent appearance. It has a Mohs hardness of about 5 and a specific gravity near 3.0. Crystals are usually prismatic and may occur as small tabular to blocky aggregates. The mineral crystallizes in the monoclinic system.

Composition and structure: Mittailit consists primarily of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen, with minor potassium and calcium, and interlayer hydroxyl groups. It is considered a hydrated aluminosilicate with sheet-like silicate layers that link through interlayer cations.

Occurrence and formation: Mittailit forms under high-grade metamorphic conditions in pelitic rocks and in late-stage granitic pegmatites. It commonly appears alongside muscovite, biotite, garnet, quartz, and other silicates.

Distribution and deposits: the type locality is the Mittai Massif, with occasional reports from adjoining terrains. While not abundant, Mittailit has attracted interest from mineral collectors and petrologists studying metamorphic fluids and phase equilibria.

Etymology and history: the name Mittailit honors the Mittai region. The species was described in 2024 by researchers led by Dr. A. S. Kovar in the Journal of Mineralogy. Type material is curated at the National Mineral Repository.