White crystal aggregates of the extremely rare mineral nabaphite from the type and only known locality worldwide in Khibiny: Material'naya Adit, Yukspor Mountain, Murmansk Oblast, Russian Federation. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection specimen, from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nabaphite
Nabaphite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula NaBa(PO₄)·9H₂O.
It crystallizes in the cubic crystal system (space group P2_13).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 2; specific gravity 2.3; Dull vitreous [sic] luster.
IMA symbol Nbh, IMA status: approved, named in 1981.
A rare late-stage hydrothermal mineral in cavities in ijolite-urtite pegmatite in a differentiated alkalic massif.
It is found associated with Natrolite, pectolite, shcherbakovite, wadeite, eudialyte, lamprophyllite, ferrian biotite, aegirine, microcline.
The name refers to sodium, NAtrium, BArium, and PHosphorus in the composition.