Click on a letter above to view the list of gems.  

Shomiokite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  Na₃Y(CO₃)₃·3(H₂O)  [Hydrated Sodium Yttrium Carbonate]

Discovered in 1990;   IMA status: Valid (IMA Approved 1992).
Shomiokite is named for the Shomiok River, in the Lovozero massif, flowing near Mt. Alluaiv, Kola Peninsula, Russia where the mineral was first found.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Carbonates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

5/D.03-05

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

5.CC.20

5 : CARBONATES (NITRATES)
C : Carbonates without additional anions, with H₂O
C : With rare earth elements (REE)

Related to:

Calkinsite-(Ce) - Lokkaite-(Y) Series

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Orthorhombic - Pyramidal

Crystal Habit:

Short prismatic pseudohexagonal crystals, to 2 mm, in rosettelike aggregates; massive granular, to 30 cm.

Twinning:

None

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

[110] Perfect; Parting on [001]

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven

Tenacity:

Brittle

Hardness (Mohs):

2.0 - 3.0

Density:

2.52 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Other:

S

Optical Properties

Color:

Colorless, Pink, pale Yellow

Transparency:

Translucent, Transparent in small pieces

Luster:

Earthy (Dull), Waxy to Silky

Refractive Index:

1.528 - 1.531  Biaxial ( + )

Birefringence:

0.0030

Dispersion:

None to Weak; r > v

Pleochroism:

None

Occurances

Geological Setting:

In interstices and as large segregations in potassic feldspar in pegmatites (Mt. Alluaiv, Kola Peninsula, Russia); associated with an intrusive alkalic gabbro-syenite complex (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada).

Common Associations:

Aegirine, Albite, Cancrinite, Elpidite, Kogarkoite, Natron, Natroxalate, Neighborite, Villiaumite, Siderite, Sidorenkite, Sphalerite Trona (Mt. Alluaiv, Kola Peninsula, Russia); Aegirine, Albite, Analcime, Catapleiite, Eudialyte, Microcline, Petersenite-(Ce), Sphalerite, Rhodochrosite (Mont Saint-Hilaire, Canada)

Type Locality:

Shomiokitovoe pegmatite body, Umbozero Mine, Alluaiv Mt, Lovozero Massif, Kola Peninsula, Murmanskaja Oblast', Northern Region, Russia

Year Discovered:

1990

View mineral photos:

Shomiokite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Shomiokite is an extremely rare mineral and gem that was only discovered in 1990 and approved by the IMA in 1992. Its chemistry is a Hydrated Sodium Yttrium Carbonate which is colorless to pink or pale yellow. Shomiokite crystals are rare and minute (short prismatic pseudohexagonal crystals to 2 mm) and more commonly found as rosettelike aggregates or massive granular forms to 30cm.

There are only two locations for finding Shomiokite: Mt. Alluaiv, Lovozero massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia; and Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada.
 

  
Shomiokite gems for sale:

We have not photographed our Shomiokite gems. Please check back soon.