Outstanding white crystal group of the extremely rare strontium mineral tikhonenkovite from the type and only known locality worldwide in Russia: Karasug, Tannu-Ola Range, Tuva Republic, Russian Federation. Probably analyzed by the former owner of the specimen (the Vandenbroucke Museum), but the analysis is no longer available. Ex Vandenbroucke Museum collection from Waregem, Belgium. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Tikhonenkovite
Tikhonenkovite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the halide class, with the chemical formula SrAlF₄(OH)·H₂O.
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group P2_1/c). It is a member of the Tikhonenkovite structural group.
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3.5; specific gravity 3.26; Vitreous luster; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Tik, IMA status: approved, named in 1964.
A secondary mineral formed in fissures in the oxidation zone of veins of iron ores in tectonic breccias.
It is found associated with Gearksutite, karasugite, fluorite, barian celestine, strontianite, “limonite”, hematite, quartz.
The mineral was named to honor Igor Petrovich Tikhonenkov (1927–1961), student of alkalic rocks and minerals, Institute of Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Rare Elements, Moscow, Russia.