Golden crystals of the very rare mineral lobanovite found exclusively in a few Khibiny localities. From: Yukspor Mountain, Khibiny Massif, Kola, Northern Region, Russian Federation. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Lobanovite
Lobanovite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula K₂Na(Fe²⁺₄Mg₂Na)Ti₂(Si₄O₁₂)₂O₂(OH)₄.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group A2). It is a member of the Astrophyllite-Devitoite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 3.161; White to yellowish white streak; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Lbv, IMA status: approved, named in 1963.
Found in pegmatitic cavities in a differentiated alkaline igneous massif.
It is found associated with Shcherbakovite, lamprophyllite, delindeite, wadeite, umbite, kostylevite.
The mineral was named to honor Dr. Konstantin V. Lobanov, a Russian ore geologist who has worked in the Kola Peninsula for more than 40 years.