plinovite

Plinovite is a silicate mineral described in speculative mineralogy as having a layered framework that accommodates interlayer cations. It was named in honor of Pliny the Elder for his historical interest in natural history. The mineral is described as forming in high‑grade metamorphic rocks and granitic pegmatites, where it occurs as small, elongated prismatic crystals that commonly appear with quartz, muscovite, and alkali feldspar.

In terms of properties, plinovite is reported to range from colorless to pale green, with a vitreous luster and transparency from transparent to translucent. The Mohs hardness is around 6, and the specific gravity is approximately 3.0–3.3 g/cm3. It is described as brittle with an uneven to conchoidal fracture and typically shows cleavage in one direction. Composition is said to be dominated by silicon and aluminum, with alkali metals (sodium and potassium) and alkaline earth metals (calcium, magnesium) as substitutional components; trace amounts of iron and titanium may occur. The exact chemical formula is variable depending on locality.

Crystallography reports assign plinovite to a monoclinic or near‑monoclinic system with a layered silicate structure and interlayer cations, though precise structural details have not been universally replicated. Type material, when referenced, is noted to reside in a mineral collection associated with the reporting institution. While of interest to researchers and collectors, plinovite currently has no established industrial applications and remains a subject of ongoing authentication and study. Etymologically, the name follows the common practice of honoring historical figures connected with natural history.