White crystal aggregates of this very rare mineral (a lithium carbonate) in spodumene. Also known as diomignite as stated in the old label from Ralph E. Merrill collection. From: Tanco Mine, Bernic Lake, Manitoba, Canada. — Photo: David Hospital · CC BY-SA 4.0
Zabuyelite
Natural lithium carbonate — colorless crystals discovered in 1987 at Tibet's Lake Zabuye.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Zabuyelite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the carbonate class, with the chemical formula Li₂(CO₃).
It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system (space group C2/c).
Key properties: Mohs hardness 3; specific gravity 2.09; Vitreous luster; refractive index 1.523; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Zab, IMA status: approved, named in 1985.
Imbedded in halite in rock salt, and precipitated on the margins of a lithium-rich salt lake (Zabuye Salt Lake, Tibet, China); as solid inclusions in fluid inclusions in spodumene.
It is found associated with Halite, gaylussite, northupite (Zabuye Salt Lake, Tibet, China).
The name refers to its initially-noted occurrence at the Zabuye Salt Lake, Tibet, China.