Yellow platy crystals of the extremely rare phosphate mineral bakhchisaraitsevite from the type locality in Konder (Aldan Shield, Khabarovskiy Kray, Far Eastern Region, Russian Federation). — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Bakhchisaraitsevite
Bakhchisaraitsevite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula Na₂Mg₅(PO₄)₄·7H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2–2.5; specific gravity 2.5; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Bkc, IMA status: approved, named in 1999.
A hydrothermal mineral in vuggy veins of dolomite carbonatite that cuts forsterite- magnetite ore in an alkaline-ultramafic massif.
It is found associated with Bobierite, pyrite, collinsite, chlorite, nastrophite, juonniite, cattiite.
The mineral was named to honor crystallographer Alexander Yu. Bakhchisaraitsev (1947-1998).