Evenkite

Chemical formula: C₂₃H₄₈

Evenkite is a rare organic mineral from the hydrocarbon group, forming soft, waxy masses and colorless, tabular crystals.

## Characteristics Evenkite is a natural, crystalline paraffinic hydrocarbon. It occurs as soft, plastic masses with a waxy consistency, resembling paraffin in appearance. Less commonly, it forms small, colorless or pale yellow, pseudohexagonal crystals with a tabular or platy habit. It is light, greasy, and soft to the touch. ## Physical Properties This mineral is characterized by very low hardness, 1 on the Mohs scale, meaning it can be scratched with a fingernail. Its density is also very low, less than that of water, causing it to float on the surface. It has a waxy or greasy luster and is typically translucent to transparent. ## Colors and Varieties Evenkite is most often colorless, white, or has a pale yellow to yellowish-brown hue. No color or commercial varieties are distinguished. ## History and Name The mineral's name comes from its first discovery site on the Lower Tunguska River in the Krasnoyarsk Krai, Siberia, an area inhabited by the Evenks (formerly Tungus). It was first described in 1943 by A. A. Skropyshev. ## Uses Evenkite has no industrial applications. It is solely an object of interest for collectors specializing in rare minerals, especially organic ones.

Properties

Mohs hardness: 1
Luster: Waxy
Streak: White
Density: 0
Cleavage: Perfect on {001}
Fracture: Micaceous
Transparency: Translucent to Transparent
Crystal system: Orthorhombic

Diagnostic features

## Identification Key diagnostic features of evenkite include its extreme softness (hardness 1 on the Mohs scale), low density (floats on water), waxy appearance and consistency, and low melting point. It is greasy to the touch and plastic. ## Distinguishing from Similar Minerals Evenkite can be confused with other natural paraffins or mineral waxes, such as ozokerite or hatchettite. Differentiation requires advanced analytical methods, such as gas chromatography or mass spectroscopy. It is distinguished from most other minerals by its flammability and very low hardness. ## Crystal Forms Crystals, if present, are very small, usually microscopic. They take the form of thin, pseudohexagonal tablets or lamellae. Most often, it is found as amorphous or cryptocrystalline aggregates and crusts with a waxy texture.

Geological environment

## Genesis Evenkite forms as a result of low-temperature hydrothermal processes. It crystallizes from weakly mineralized aqueous solutions in cavities and fissures of rocks. It is a product of natural distillation and migration of hydrocarbons of organic origin. ## Mineral Associations It often co-occurs with quartz, chalcedony, calcite, pyrite, galena, sphalerite, and other sulfides. Its presence is characteristic of certain ore veins. ## Localities The most important and classic locality for evenkite is the Kelyanskoye mercury deposit in the Chita Oblast and the Lower Tunguska River region in Siberia, Russia. It is also known from the Almadén mercury mine in Spain, from quartz veins in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in France, from the Doly mine in the Czech Republic, and from several localities in Switzerland and Slovakia (e.g., Dubník).

Rarity

Very rare

For collectors

## Quality Criteria The most valued by collectors are specimens with visible, well-formed microcrystals, which are very rare. Rich aggregates of evenkite contrasting with associated minerals, such as quartz or calcite, are also attractive. Due to the nature of the mineral, purity and transparency are less important than the form of occurrence. ## Popular Localities Specimens with well-formed microcrystals mainly come from localities in France (e.g., La Mure in Isère) and the Czech Republic (Doly mine near Libčice). Classic, historical specimens originate from Siberia (Russia).

Care and storage

## Cleaning Evenkite specimens are extremely delicate and sensitive. Wet cleaning should be avoided. Only very careful dust removal with a soft brush or a stream of compressed air from a distance is permissible. ## What to Avoid Evenkite is very sensitive to heat – it melts at approximately 45-50°C. It must be protected from any heat source, including direct sunlight and strong display lighting. It is also susceptible to organic solvents. Contact with chemicals and water should be avoided. ## Storage Specimens should be stored in a cool, dark place, preferably in an airtight container (e.g., a "micromount" box), to protect them from dust and mechanical damage. Due to its low melting point, it is not suitable for display in sunny or brightly lit showcases.