FURUTOBEITE Meaning and
Definition
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Furutobeite is a rare mineral and a member of the carbonate mineral group. It belongs to the rhombohedral crystal system and typically forms in miniature crystal aggregates or as tabular crystals. The mineral is named after its discovery locality, the Furutobe mine in Japan.
Chemically, furutobeite is composed of a complex combination of elements. Its chemical formula is often written as Pb6Mn2+Sb3+2O20[CO3], representing the elements lead (Pb), manganese (Mn), antimony (Sb), oxygen (O), and carbonate (CO3). The precise formation conditions and exact crystal structure of furutobeite are still the subject of ongoing scientific research.
Furutobeite has a distinctive brownish-red to deep red color, which can be visually striking. The mineral is also characterized by its sub-metallic to adamantine luster, often exhibiting a high reflectivity when polished. Furutobeite is typically found in association with other minerals such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, and quartz.
Due to its rarity, furutobeite has limited applications beyond its use as a collector's mineral. Mineral enthusiasts and collectors covet this unique mineral for its aesthetic appeal and rarity. As with other carbonate minerals, furutobeite is susceptible to acid dissolution, and therefore, requires careful handling and preservation to ensure its long-term stability.
Etymology of FURUTOBEITE
The word "furutobeite" is derived from the surname of its discoverer, Dr. Frits R. van't Hoff, and the mineral name "beudantite". "Beudantite" was named in honor of the French mineralogist François Sulpice Beudant. Thus, "furutobeite" is a combination of "Fru" (from the first three letters of van't Hoff's first name), "to" (from the first two letters of van't Hoff's last name), and "beite" (from "beudantite"). The name was decided by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) in 2010.
