How Do You Spell SAKHAROVAITE?

Pronunciation: [sˈakɑːɹˌɒve͡ɪt] (IPA)

Sakharovaite is a mineral first discovered in Russia in 1966. The spelling of this word can be explained using IPA phonetic transcription as /səˌkɑːrəʊˈvaɪt/. The first syllable, /sə/, is pronounced with a short "uh" sound. The second syllable, /kɑːr/, is pronounced with a long "a" sound, like in "car." The third syllable, /rəʊ/, is pronounced with a long "o" sound. The final syllable, /vaɪt/, is pronounced with a long "i" sound, like in "eye." The spelling of the word Sakharovaite follows the standard English rules for transliteration of Russian words.

SAKHAROVAITE Meaning and Definition

  1. Sakharovaite is a mineral that belongs to the rare minerals of the eudialyte group. It is named after Elena Sakharova, a Russian mineralogist. Its chemical composition is ideally expressed as Na5(Ca,Sr)9[Be2Al2Si18O54]F4•2H2O, indicating that it mainly consists of sodium, calcium (or strontium), beryllium, aluminum, silicon, oxygen, fluorine, and water molecules.

    Sakharovaite typically appears as well-formed, elongated, prismatic crystals with a pale to brownish-pink color. It has a vitreous to greasy luster and a translucent to transparent appearance. This mineral is often found in pegmatite veins, which are igneous rocks that formed through the cooling and solidification of magma. Its occurrence is commonly associated with other minerals such as natrolite, aegirine, baratovite, and lamprophyllite.

    The unique crystal structure of sakharovaite contributes to its distinctive properties. It has a density of approximately 2.71 grams per cubic centimeter and a hardness rating of 5.5–6 on the Mohs scale. Sakharovaite has an uneven fracture and exhibits no cleavage.

    Although sakharovaite is a rare mineral and has limited commercial applications, it is of interest to mineral collectors and researchers due to its intriguing crystal habit and composition. Further studies on sakharovaite can provide valuable insights into the geological processes that result in its formation and the interactions of its constituent elements.

Etymology of SAKHAROVAITE

The word "sakharovaite" has its etymology rooted in the field of mineralogy. It is named after Valentina Dmitrievna Sakharova, a Russian mineralogist who made significant contributions to the understanding of minerals. Sakharovaite is a mineral that was first discovered and described in the 1970s.