spiraaliarkiita

Spiraaliarkiita, also known as spiralite, is a rare mineral with the chemical formula Mn5Si3O10(OH)3. It was first discovered in 1964 in the Spiral Mountain, near the town of Spiral, in the state of Nevada, United States. The mineral is named after its type locality. Spiraaliarkiita is a member of the sorosilicate group, which includes minerals with a silicate structure where silicon atoms are linked in pairs.

The mineral typically forms as a secondary mineral in manganese-rich hydrothermal veins. It is often found associated with other manganese minerals such as rhodonite, braunite, and pyrolusite. Spiraaliarkiita crystals are usually small, ranging from a few millimeters to about a centimeter in size. They are usually dark brown to black in color, with a metallic luster. The mineral has a hardness of 5.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of approximately 4.2.

Spiraaliarkiita is of limited interest to collectors and mineral enthusiasts due to its rarity and small crystal size. However, it is significant to geologists and mineralogists as it provides insights into the geological processes that form manganese-rich hydrothermal veins. The mineral's unique chemical composition and crystal structure make it a valuable subject for study in the field of mineralogy.