Kostovite is a rare mineral that belongs to the halide mineral group. Its chemical formula is CuAuTe4, which indicates that it contains copper (Cu), gold (Au), and the element tellurium (Te). It was first discovered in the Krong Buk mine in Cambodia in 1978, and is named after the Bulgarian mineralogist Enyo Kostov.
Kostovite is known for its unique crystal structure and striking appearance. It typically forms as small, prismatic crystals that are translucent to opaque. The color of kostovite ranges from grayish-white to pale yellow, with a metallic luster. Sometimes, it may exhibit a greenish or bluish tint due to impurities.
This mineral has a high specific gravity, typically ranging from 10.7 to 10.9, which makes it relatively heavy compared to most other minerals. It has perfect cleavage on {010}, which means that it can easily split along this plane. However, kostovite is also known to be quite brittle.
Due to its scarcity and limited occurrence, kostovite is primarily of interest to mineral collectors and researchers rather than being of significant commercial value. It is often found associated with other tellurium-bearing minerals in hydrothermal deposits formed at high pressures and temperatures.
In summary, kostovite is a rare halide mineral that contains copper, gold, and tellurium. It is known for its distinctive crystal structure, color, and high specific gravity. Although not commercially valuable, it holds importance within the field of mineralogy and garners attention from collectors.
