The Mineral MURMANITE

Chemistry: Na2(Ti, Nb)2Si2O9-n(H2O), Hydrated Sodium Titanium Niobium Silicate.
Class: Silicates
Uses: Only as mineral specimens.
Specimens

Murmanite is one of the rarer mineral species found on the Kola Peninsula in Russia. This is one of the classic mineral localities known around the world for producing some truely one-of-a-kind mineral specimens. Murmanite is no exception. Just examining the formula, one can tell that this is a unique mineral. Titanium and niobium are elements not commonly found in the earth's crust. The pink color is attractive and unique, and the luster is beautiful and difficult to describe. This is a good mineral for those interested in rare minerals.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is pink to purple.
Luster vitreous to pearly.
Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal Habits include tabular crystals. Also massive, lamellar and granular.
Cleavage is perfect in one direction forming thin sheets.
Fracture: is flaky.
Hardness is 2 - 3
Specific Gravity is approximately 2.75
Streak is pale pink.
Associated Minerals include minerals such as nepheline, feldspars, epistolite and other rare titanium and niobium minerals.
Other Characteristics: Cleavage sheets are elastic.
Notable Occurrence is Kola, Peninsula, Russia.
Best Field Indicators color, associations, locality and crystal habit.