Filatovite is a rare mineral named after the Russian mineralogist, Evgraf Stepanovich Filatov. The spelling of filatovite is pronounced as /fɪˈlætəvaɪt/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable is stressed, and the second syllable ends with the diphthong ‘aɪ’. The spelling may seem complex, but it follows the rules of English phonetics. Filatovite is a hydrous potassium manganese silicate that was first discovered in 1938 in the Kola Peninsula in Northern Russia. Its crystal structure is of great interest to mineralogists and geologists.
Filatovite is a rare mineral that belongs to the silicate mineral group. It is named after the Russian mineralogist Petr Alekseevich Filatov, who first discovered it in 1926. Filatovite is classified as a complex hydrous potassium aluminum silicate with the chemical formula K(Al,Zn)2(As,Si)2O8(OH). It typically occurs as tiny, prismatic, or tabular crystals that are often transparent or translucent, and can exhibit various shades of green or blue.
The physical properties of filatovite include a Mohs hardness of 5.5 to 6, which makes it relatively resistant to scratching. It has a vitreous to resinous luster and a density of about 3.2 to 3.3 grams per cubic centimeter. Filatovite is associated with other minerals like tennantite, chalcopyrite, quartz, and pyrrhotite in hydrothermal ore veins.
In terms of its chemical composition, filatovite contains potassium, aluminum, zinc, arsenic, silicon, oxygen, and hydrogen. It is primarily found in hydrothermal veins associated with copper, lead, and zinc deposits. Due to its rarity and limited availability as well as its properties, filatovite is primarily sought by mineral collectors and researchers for its aesthetic appeal and scientific significance.
Overall, filatovite is an intriguing and seldom encountered mineral with its unique crystal structure and colors. Its discovery by Filatov and subsequent studies have contributed to our understanding of mineralogy and the formation of ore deposits.
The word "filatovite" is named after the Russian mineralogist Nikolai Ivanovich Filatov (1883-1951), who discovered the mineral. Filatovite is a rare phosphate mineral primarily composed of calcium, vanadium, and oxygen.