BLEASDALEITE Meaning and
Definition
-
Bleasdaleite is a rare mineral that belongs to the garnet group. It is a silicate mineral consisting of the chemical elements calcium, aluminum, iron, and silicon. The mineral was first discovered in the central province of Hunan, China in 2008 and was officially recognized as a new mineral species in 2012. It was named after Arthur Francis Bleasdale, an Australian geologist known for his contributions to the understanding of garnet minerals.
Bleasdaleite possesses unique physical and chemical properties. It typically occurs as small, euhedral crystals with a deep reddish-brown to black color. It has a vitreous to resinous luster and a high density. The mineral has a Mohs hardness of 7 to 7.5, making it relatively hard compared to many other minerals.
In terms of its crystal structure, bleasdaleite exhibits an isometric system, with a symmetrical arrangement of atoms. Its chemical formula is Ca2(Fe3+, Al)2(SiO4)3, which indicates the presence of calcium, iron (in its trivalent form), aluminum, and silicon in its composition.
Due to its scarcity and limited occurrence, bleasdaleite is primarily of scientific interest and has not gained much commercial or industrial relevance. However, its discovery contributes to the understanding of mineral evolution and offers valuable insights into the geological processes that led to its formation.
Etymology of BLEASDALEITE
The word "bleasdaleite" is named after the mineralogist and crystallographer, Professor Thomas Felix Bleasdale. He was an English scientist known for his work in mineralogy, particularly in the field of x-ray crystallography. Bleasdaleite is a mineral that was named in his honor to recognize his contributions to the field.
