White crystal aggregates of the very rare mineral nyerereite from Russia (Vuoriyarvi Massif, Northern Karelia, Murmansk Oblast, Russian Federation). Very rare species in specimens from Russia. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Nyerereite
A very rare sodium-calcium carbonate — the second ingredient of Ol Doinyo Lengai's carbonatite lava, named for Julius Nyerere.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Nyerereite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Na₂Ca(CO₃)₂.
It crystallizes in the hexagonal crystal system (space group Cmc2_1). It is a member of the Fairchildite structural group.
Key properties: specific gravity 2.541; refractive index 1.526; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Nye, IMA status: approved, named in 1963.
Occurs as phenocrysts in carbonate lavas, persistent due to rapid cooling.
It is found associated with Halite, sylvite, fluorite, gregoryite, calcite.
The mineral was named to honor Julius Kambarage Nyerere (1922-1999), President of Tanzania when the mineral was found.