smektiite

Smektiite is a rare mineral belonging to the borate group. Its chemical formula is NaCaMg$_2$(B$_3$O$_5$)$_2$(OH)$_2$·2H$_2$O. It was first discovered in the Kombat Mine in Namibia and was officially recognized by the International Mineralogical Association in 2010. The mineral is named in honor of the late Professor Victor S. Smekh.

Smektiite typically occurs as small, transparent to translucent crystals, often prismatic or acicular in habit. Its color can range from colorless to pale yellow or greenish. The mineral is associated with other borate minerals and is found in evaporite deposits. Its hardness on the Mohs scale is approximately 3.5, and it possesses a vitreous luster.

The type locality for smektiite is the Kombat Mine in the Otavi Mountain Land of Namibia, a region known for its rich mineral deposits, particularly copper and lead ores. The geological environment in which smektiite forms is usually arid, characterized by the evaporation of brines. Further research into its crystallographic properties and geological occurrences is ongoing.