VASILYEVITE Meaning and
Definition
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Vasilyevite is a rare mineral that belongs to the silicate mineral group. It is named after the Russian mineralogist and crystallographer Vasily Aleksandrovich Kovalenko. Vasilyevite has a complex chemical composition and is classified as a borosilicate mineral.
In terms of its physical properties, vasilyevite typically crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system and forms prismatic or tabular crystals. It can also occur in massive or fibrous forms. Vasilyevite is usually transparent or translucent, and its color can vary from pale yellow to colorless.
The mineral is primarily found in hydrothermal veins and pegmatite deposits, which are formed through the cooling and solidification of magma. It is commonly associated with other borosilicate minerals such as datolite, quartz, and pectolite.
The chemical composition of vasilyevite contains essential elements such as boron, silicon, oxygen, and aluminum, along with minor amounts of other elements. Its specific chemical formula is Na5Al9[B4Si4O22]O2(OH)2(H2O)4.
Due to its rarity and limited occurrence, vasilyevite has mainly been observed as small crystals. Its scarcity and lack of widespread availability make it a valuable collector's mineral. Additionally, its unique chemical composition and crystal structure have attracted interest among mineralogists and researchers studying silicate minerals.
