White crystal aggregates of the extremely rare Na-Li phosphate mineral olympite from the type locality in Khibiny massif in Russia (Rasvumchorr Mountain, Khibiny Massif, Murmansk Oblast, Russian Federation). Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY 4.0
Olympite
Olympite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the phosphate class, with the chemical formula LiNa₅(PO₄)₂.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group P2_12_12_1).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 4; specific gravity 2.8; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Oly, IMA status: approved, named in 1979.
An ultra-alkalic phase in nepheline syenite pegmatites in differentiated alkalic massifs.
It is found associated with Sidorenkite, dorfmanite, nahpoite, villiaumite, shafranovskite, aegirine (Mt. Rasvumchorr, Kola Peninsula, Russia); natrite, natrosilite (Lovozero massif.
The name refers to the 1980 Summer Olympic Games, in Moscow, USSR.