KUDRIAVITE Meaning and
Definition
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Kudriavite is a relatively rare mineral that belongs to the group of phyllosilicates. Its name is derived from the Russian mineralogist Nikolai Ivanovich Kudriavtsev, who first described this mineral in 1929. Kudriavite is often found as a secondary mineral that forms during the alteration of other copper-bearing minerals in hydrothermal environments.
The physical properties of kudriavite include a pale green or gray-green color, sometimes with a bluish tint, and a vitreous to pearly luster. It has a monoclinic crystal system, commonly forming as aggregates of platy or flaky crystals. Kudriavite has a relatively low hardness of around 2.5 to 3 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively fragile and susceptible to breaking or chipping.
Chemically, kudriavite is a copper magnesium aluminum hydroxysilicate. It has the chemical formula Cu3Mg4Al2(SiO4)2(OH)12. This mineral commonly occurs as vein-filling material or as encrustations on host rocks, often associated with other copper-bearing minerals such as malachite, azurite, and chrysocolla.
Kudriavite is of interest to mineral collectors and researchers due to its rarity and distinctive crystal habit. However, it rarely occurs in large enough quantities to be commercially valuable. Its unique combination of copper and magnesium, along with its delicate color and luster, make kudriavite an intriguing and aesthetically pleasing addition to any mineral collection.
