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Nifontovite
Greg Polley
Specimen | Catalog Number | Locality | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Nifontovite | NMNH G10625 | Japan, Okayama | 0.48 ct |
Gift of Ms. Yuko Tanaka in 2009.
Nifontovite is a very rare borate mineral. It is a soft stone, only 3.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Nifontovite is transparent and typically colorless or gray with a vitreous luster. It was discovered in 1961 and named for the Russian geologist, Roman V. Nifontov (1901-1960). Nifontovite has been found in Russia, Mexico, and Japan. This 0.48ct gem is the first nifontovite for the National Gem Collection.