- Scientists have identified 2,550 obscure minerals that could have future uses
- Among the truly rare minerals are ichnusaite, fingerite, amicite and nevadaite
- These minerals are so rare they can form only under extremely unusual conditions
- Ichnusaite, which forms from thorium and lead-like molybdenumonly, was found in Sardinia
NEW YORK, USA – A group of scientists revealed a list on Friday of some minerals on Earth that are far rarer than diamonds and emeralds, as they are known to have very limited samples available on the planet.
Katherine Derla mentioned in her article for the Tech Times published on February 13 that 2,550 were included in the first list of obscure minerals that could have future uses; ranging from industry to exotic Valentine’s Day gifts.
Among the truly rare minerals are ichnusaite, fingerite, amicite and nevadaite; defined as those known to come from five or fewer places worldwide. Scientists said these minerals are so rare as they can form only under extremely unusual conditions.
“Diamond, ruby, emerald, and other precious gems are found at numerous localities and are sold in commercial quantities, and thus are not rare,” said the scientist in an article published in the American Mineralogist journal.
“If you wanted to give your fiancee a really rare ring, forget diamond. Give her Sardinian ichnusaite,” said Robert Hazen; who is a co-author of the study at the Carnegie Institution.
Ichnusaite, which forms from thorium and lead-like molybdenumonly, was found in Sardinia; an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is so rare that only one tiny whitish crystal has ever been found.
Photo Credit: Phys.Org
“Some of the other rare minerals are also only known from a thimbleful,” said Hazen as quoted by Alister Doyle in an article for Reuters published on February 12.
According to experts, of 5,090 minerals known worldwide, fewer than 100 make up 99 percent of the Earth’s crust.
Scientists said that some of the 2,550 rare minerals defined in the study might have commercial properties; from electronics to batteries — if they could be manufactured.
An article by Phys.Org published on February 12 mentioned the author as saying that some of the rare minerals identified required exact temperatures to grow while others formed only with the presence of other rare elements. The authors of the study also pointed that others can dissolve easily, or only occur in dangerous locations such as in volcanoes.
“They form in a perfect storm of conditions,” said Jesse Ausubel; a co-author at the Rockefeller University.
Ausubel estimated that there are 1,500 types of mineral that are still to be found on Earth.
“There are some master jewelers who would love to work with the rare minerals tiara of the 21st century,” he said.
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