Researchers have discovered a mineral previously unknown to science…
Researchers have discovered a mineral previously unknown to science on the territory of Russia, naming it the Kola ashcroftite, according to RIA Novosti.
Consensus
- A new mineral was discovered in the Kirovsk mine within the Khibiny massif in Russia.
- The mineral was named 'Kolsky ashcroftite'.
- The discovery was made by researchers from the Kola Scientific Center of the RAS, Saint Petersburg State University, and the Mineralogical Museum named after A.E. Fersman.
- The mineral contains yttrium, a rare earth element.
- The mineral's composition includes calcium, manganese, and fluorine.
- The crystal structure is considered one of the most complex among known minerals.
- The mineral is described as a 'chemical archive' of the Earth's crust due to its diverse elemental content.
- The average price for a layer of the mineral on rock is $145 per millimeter.
- This price is significantly higher than that of gold.
- The classic ashcroftite is a pink, transparent, brittle, and very rare silicate mineral.
- The largest deposit of classic ashcroftite is located in Greenland.
- Classic ashcroftite is also found in Canada and Italy.
Points of divergence
- The discovery was reported on Saturday, August 1, by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. — vm
- In 2025, a new mineral called sulfopadmaite was discovered in Karelia, and in 2024, another rare mineral called selenodzunite was presented at the 'Kareloforum'. — vedomosti
- Researchers found previously unknown material in the bay of Hiroshima, 80 years after the atomic bombing, consisting of fragments called 'Hiroshimites'. — vm
Coverage (7 sources)
- In Russia, a new mineral more expensive than gold was mined — Коммерсантъ
- Mineral more expensive than gold found in Russia — Фонтанка
- More expensive than gold: Russia discovered a new unique mineral — РИАМО
- Russia found a mineral more expensive than gold — Ведомости
- New mineral, more expensive than gold, found in Russia — Вечерняя Москва
- More expensive than gold: a new unique mineral discovered in northern Russia — Вести
- Russia discovers new mineral worth more than gold. — РИА Новости (Telegram)