New Mineral With Surprising Composition Discovered In Western Australia
April 24, 2014
A new mineral with a surprising composition has been discovered in the Polar Bear peninsula of Western Australia by a University of Adelaide mineralogy researcher, which has been described in Mineralogical Magazine.

P. Elliott et al. Mineralogical Magazine
The pretty mineral, which has been named putnisite, is purple in appearance and is composed of cube-like crystals of 0.5mm in size. It's translucent with a glassy luster and has a pink streak running through it. What is intriguing about the mineral is its elementary composition; it contains strontium, calcium, chromium, sulfur, carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, which is unusual. It's relatively soft and brittle with a Mohs hardness of between 1 ½ - 2. Currently it remains unknown whether the mineral will have any practical applications.
"Most minerals belong to a family or small group of related minerals, or if they aren't related to other minerals they often are to a synthetic compound- but putnisite is completely unique and unrelated to anything," said lead author of the study Dr Elliott in a press-release. "Nature seems to be far cleverer at dreaming up new chemicals than any researcher in a laboratory," he added.
Dogs Are Forced To Wear The Things They Steal — And It’s Hilarious
A Man Ruined A Beautiful Snowman Display — What Happened Next Was Perfect
Jonathan And Nancy Fell In Love In Real Life — And So Did Their Stunt Doubles
Cat Owner Begs Internet For Advice On How To Get Her Cat To Stop Playing Piano
This Restaurant's Dog Menu Is Almost As Fancy As The Human Menu
The Father Who Never Left His Son Behind
Dogs Are Forced To Wear The Things They Steal — And It’s Hilarious
Two Humpback Whales Fall In Love With A Dog In Incredible Video
Vermont Trooper Jumps Into Frozen Pond To Save Child Trapped Under Ice
Her Reaction To Getting The Baby Cow She’s Always Wanted Has Us All In Tears
School Writes Song For Retiring Lunch Lady And Sings It On Her Last Day
