uinkovite

Uinkovite is a rare mineral discovered in 1972, named after the Russian geologist Alexander Uinkov. It is a complex oxide mineral with the chemical formula (Na,Ca)2(Fe,Mn)3+2(Fe,Mn)3+2O8. Uinkovite is typically found in high-temperature, low-pressure environments, such as in skarns and contact metamorphic rocks. It is characterized by its dark brown to black color, metallic luster, and perfect cleavage. The mineral has a hardness of 5.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of approximately 4.2. Uinkovite is of interest to mineralogists and geologists due to its unique composition and the conditions under which it forms. It is not known to have any significant economic value, but its study contributes to our understanding of mineral formation processes in metamorphic environments.