Flinteite
Flinteite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the halide class, with the chemical formula K₂ZnCl₄.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pna2_1).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 2.49; White streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Fnt, IMA status: approved, named in 2014.
Formed as sublimates on basaltic scoria around active volcanic fumaroles, probably as the result of a phase transition when cooling after the extraction of crystals of its protophase.
It is found associated with Langbeinite, calciolangbeinite, aphthitalite, fluoborite, sylvite, halite, arcanite, tenorite, zincite, chubarovite, krasheninnikovite, vanthoffite, wulffite.
The mineral was named to honor the Russian crystallographer Evgeniy Evgenievich Flint (1887-1975), Professor of Crystallography, Moscow State University (1925-1930).