onitrvají

Onitrvají is a rare mineral of the silicate family characterized by a niobium-rich oxide-silicate structure. It forms pale to colorless, elongated prismatic crystals in the monoclinic system and commonly occurs in hydrothermal veins within ultramafic rocks. The mineral has a vitreous luster, a Mohs hardness of 6–6.5, and a density around 3.6 g/cm3. Its chemical composition features predominant niobium with titanium and iron as variable substituents, typically represented in analyses as Nb-Ti-Fe-bearing silicate with ancillary hydroxide groups.

The name onitrvají is derived from the fictional Onitrva region and the local language root meaning “stone.” It was first described in 2012 by a multinational mineralogical team during an expedition to the Onitrva valley. Since then, only a few dozen crystals have been confirmed, making it one of the rare Nb-rich minerals known.

Found in three locales, onitrvají is commonly associated with quartz, magnetite, and amphibole. Occurrence suggests formation under high-temperature hydrothermal conditions during regional metamorphism. The mineral displays solid-solution behavior with Nb/Ti/Fe substitutions and varies in color from colorless to pale gray.

Research and significance: Onitrvají contributes to the understanding of niobium-rich silicate systems and Nb-Ti-Fe solid solutions in natural minerals. Due to rarity, there is no current commercial use; however, its structure provides insights for geochemical modeling and potential applications in advanced ceramics or tracer studies. Ongoing analyses include single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe work to refine its classification.