Dark green almost black crystals of the rare vanadium mineral natalyite from one of the only three known localities worldwide: Srednyaya Padma, Karelia, Northern Region, Russian Federation. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Natalyite
Natalyite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula NaV³⁺Si₂O₆.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/c). It is a member of the Pyroxene structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 7; specific gravity 3.55; Green streak; Vitreous to silky luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Nta, IMA status: approved, named in 1984.
Found in Cr, V-rich diopside-quartz rocks that are part of a Precambrian metamorphic complex (Slyudyanka complex, Russia).
It is found associated with Eskolaite{karelianite, uvarovite{goldmanite, chromian vanadian tourmaline, pyrite, apatite, diopside (Slyudyanka complex, Russia).
In honor of the geologist Nataliya Vasil'evna Frolova (1907–1960), geologist, Irkutsk University, Irkutsk, Russia.