Nazarovite

Chemical formula: Ni₁₂P₅

Nazarovite is an extremely rare nickel phosphide, identified based on a single find in an iron meteorite.

## Characteristics Nazarovite is a mineral with a metallic appearance, identified only as microscopic, irregular grains up to 200 micrometers in size. It occurs as inclusions within another rare mineral, nickelphosphide, in an iron meteorite. Due to its extreme rarity and microscopic size, most of its physical properties have not been fully characterized. ## Physical Properties The mineral is opaque and exhibits a metallic luster. Its hardness and density have not been measured due to the lack of sufficiently large material for study. The calculated density is 7.85 g/cm³. ## Colors and Varieties In reflected light, its color is described as gray with a slight yellowish tint. No varieties have been distinguished. ## History and Name Nazarovite was approved as a new mineral by the IMA in 2018 (IMA2018-001). Nazarovite was described by mineralogists from the Russian Academy of Sciences. Its name honors Mikhail A. Nazarov (1949–2016), a Russian meteorite researcher who made significant contributions to this field of science. ## Uses Due to its extreme rarity, nazarovite has no practical applications and is solely an object of scientific interest and specialized micromineral collections.

Properties

Luster
Metallic
Density
7.85
Cleavage
None
Transparency
Opaque
Crystal system
Tetragonal

Diagnostic features

## Identification Identification of nazarovite is possible only using advanced laboratory techniques, such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with chemical composition analysis (EDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). In reflected light, it is gray with a yellowish tint and exhibits weak anisotropy. ## Distinguishing from Similar Minerals It can be confused with other nickel phosphides found in meteorites, such as nickelphosphide, schreibersite, or melliniite. Differentiation requires precise analysis of the nickel-to-phosphorus ratio and crystal structure analysis. ## Crystal Forms Nazarovite forms only anhedral (irregular) grains, without developed crystal faces.

Geological environment

## Genesis Nazarovite forms under extreme reducing conditions within an iron-nickel alloy during the very slow cooling of asteroid parent bodies. Its only known occurrence is in an iron meteorite. ## Mineral Associations It co-occurs with nickelphosphide, in which it forms inclusions. Other associated minerals in the meteorite include kamacite and taenite (iron-nickel alloys). ## Localities The only confirmed locality in the world is the IAB-MG type iron meteorite named Uakit, found in 2016 in the Baunt Evenk district, Buryatia, Russia.

Rarity

Extremely rare

For collectors

## Quality Criteria The quality of a specimen with nazarovite is identical to the quality of the Uakit meteorite itself. For scientific and collecting purposes, the presence of analytically confirmed, as large as possible grains of this mineral within a polished surface (thin section) of the meteorite is important. These specimens are extremely valuable from a scientific point of view. ## Popular Localities The only source of nazarovite is the Uakit meteorite from Russia. Fragments of this meteorite are found in institutional collections and very rarely enter the commercial market.

Care and storage

## Cleaning Due to its microscopic size and occurrence as inclusions within the meteorite matrix, cleaning individual grains of nazarovite is impossible and impractical. The parent specimen should be handled according to meteorite conservation principles. ## What to Avoid Avoid contact with chemicals, acids, and moisture, which could damage both the mineral itself and the surrounding meteorite matrix. Protect it from mechanical damage. ## Storage Specimens containing nazarovite should be stored under stable conditions, preferably in a dry environment (e.g., in a box with a desiccant), to prevent oxidation of the metallic minerals comprising the meteorite.

External references

Sources

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