White crystal aggregates of the borate mineral hexahydroborite associated to grey kurchatovite from Russia (Solongo B Deposit, Vitim Plateau, Baunt District, Buryatia Republic, Russian Federation). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Kurchatovite
Kurchatovite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the borate class, with the chemical formula CaMgB₂O₅.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Pbca).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4.5; specific gravity 3.02; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Kht, IMA status: approved, named in 1965.
Found in an iron-bearing skarn (Solongo deposit, Russia).
It is found associated with Clinokurchatovite, szaibélyite, solongoite, hexahydroborite, calcite, “chlorite”, vesuvianite, garnet, svabite, magnetite, sphalerite (Solongo deposit, Russia).
The mineral was named to honor Igor Vasil’evich Kurchatov (1903–1960), Russian physicist, Institute of Nuclear Energy, Moscow, Russia.