otsehaldurita

Otsehaldurita is a fictional mineral introduced in mineralogy education to illustrate how minerals are named, classified, and described. It is not known to occur in nature and is used solely in instructional contexts to demonstrate standard descriptive practices.

Name and classification

The name otsehaldurita follows common mineral-naming conventions, combining a fictional geographic or thematic element with the suffix -ita. In educational descriptions, it is categorized as a framework silicate mineral, typically assigned a monoclinic crystal system to reflect common structural motifs found in real minerals.

Composition and structure

Otsehaldurita is described as primarily aluminum and silicon–oxygen–based, with a framework built from corner-sharing tetrahedra. The general formula is presented in a simplified form to emphasize the relationship between silicon, aluminum, and oxygen, along with minor cations such as magnesium or iron. The emphasis is on crystal structure and polyhedral connectivity rather than precise laboratory-derived composition.

Physical properties

In teaching materials, otsehaldurita is given modest hardness (approximately 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale) and a vitreous to resinous luster. It is often depicted as colorless to pale yellow or pale green and is described as transparent to translucent. Specific gravity is typically shown in a mid-range value for silicate minerals.

Occurrence and use

As a fictional mineral, otsehaldurita has no natural locality or commercial use. It is employed in examples demonstrating mineral identification, optic properties (refractive indices), X-ray diffraction patterns, and crystallography concepts in laboratory settings. It serves as a pedagogical tool rather than a real mineral specimen.

See also

Mineral, Silicate minerals, Crystal structure, Mohs scale.