KAZAKOVITE Meaning and
Definition
-
Kazakovite is a rare and specific mineral that belongs to the sulfate mineral group. It is a hydrated copper aluminum sulfate, with the chemical formula CuAl(SO4)2F·18H2O. This mineral is named after the Russian geologist Nikolay Mikhailovich Kazakov, who discovered it in the Dzhezkazgan copper mine in the Karaganda Oblast of Kazakhstan in the early 20th century. Kazakovite forms as a secondary mineral in the oxidized zone of copper deposits.
Physically, kazakovite typically presents as transparent to translucent crystals, which can have a prismatic or bladed habit. The crystals can be colorless or have various shades of blue, green, or bluish-green. It has a monoclinic crystal system with a brittle tenacity. These crystals often occur as acicular aggregates or as crust-like coatings on other minerals in the ore.
Kazakovite has a specific gravity ranging from 1.84 to 1.93, indicating that it is relatively dense compared to most minerals. It also has a relatively low hardness of around 2 on the Mohs scale, making it quite soft. When observed under a microscope, kazakovite may exhibit a distinguishable birefringence effect due to its optical properties.
Due to its rarity and limited occurrence, kazakovite holds significant value in mineral collecting and scientific research. Its presence can shed light on the oxidation processes and geochemical conditions occurring in copper-rich deposits, contributing to a better understanding of mineral formation and metallogenic processes.
