Baikalite (/baɪˈkælaɪt/) is a rare mineral that derives its name from its place of discovery - Lake Baikal in Russia. The phonetic transcription of Baikalite suggests that it is pronounced as "by-KA-lait", with the primary stress on the second syllable. The word has six letters and three syllables, making it easy to spell and pronounce. However, due to its rare occurrence, its pronunciation and spelling might not be familiar to many people outside the geological field.
Baikalite is a naturally occurring mineral that belongs to the group of complex aluminum silicate hydroxides. It is typically found in hydrothermal veins or fractures within igneous rocks. With a chemical formula of Al2Si2O5(OH)4, it is composed of aluminum, silicon, and oxygen atoms bonded together.
Physically, baikalite appears as transparent to translucent crystals that are often colorless, but can also display shades of white, light gray, or pale yellow. It has a vitreous luster and its crystals may sometimes exhibit a radial or fibrous structure. Baikalite has a relatively low hardness, typically ranging between 2.5 and 3 on the Mohs scale.
In terms of its optical properties, baikalite has a refractive index and a specific gravity that fall within the medium range. It does not possess any significant fluorescence and its pleochroism, or the variation in color observed when viewed from different angles, is generally weak or absent.
Baikalite is named after Lake Baikal in Siberia, Russia, where it was first discovered. It occurs in association with various minerals such as quartz, feldspar, muscovite, and other aluminum silicates. Its main use lies in scientific research and mineral collection, where it serves as an interesting and unique specimen due to its rarity and specific geographic origin.
Overall, baikalite is a mineral with distinctive physical and chemical characteristics that make it a notable addition to the world of mineralogy.
• A mineral, a variety of augite.
• A dingy, green crystalline variety of the mineral augite found at the mouth of one of the rivers that fall into Lake Baikal, Siberia.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "Baikalite" is derived from the name of Lake Baikal, the oldest and deepest freshwater lake in the world, located in Siberia, Russia. The suffix "-ite" is commonly used in mineralogy to denote a mineral, so "Baikalite" refers to a mineral or material associated with Lake Baikal.