toppeina

Toppeina is a rare and distinctive mineral that was first discovered in the Toppeino mine in the Urals, Russia, in 1971. It is a complex oxide mineral with the chemical formula (Fe,Mg)2TiO5. Toppeina crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and typically forms prismatic crystals or granular masses. It is often associated with other minerals such as magnetite, ilmenite, and hematite.

The mineral is named after its type locality, the Toppeino mine. It is characterized by its dark brown to black color, which is due to the presence of iron in its chemical composition. Toppeina has a hardness of 5.5 to 6 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of approximately 4.2 to 4.3. It exhibits a submetallic to metallic luster and has a perfect cleavage in one direction.

Toppeina is of interest to mineral collectors and geologists due to its rarity and unique physical properties. It is not commonly found in large quantities and is often associated with other valuable minerals. The mineral's discovery has contributed to the understanding of the geological processes that occur in the Urals region.