A unique mineral more expensive than gold found in Russia
In Russia, at the Kirovsk mine in the Khibiny Mountains, scientists have discovered a mineral previously unknown to science with a unique composition, named Kola ashcroftine. This was reported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
According to specialists, the uniqueness of the sample lies in the presence of calcium, manganese, fluorine, and the rare-earth element yttrium in its composition. Its structure is among the most complex of all minerals known to science.
"This is not just a beautiful stone, it is a chemical archive of the earth's crust — yttrium, silicon, potassium, sodium, and an entire periodic table in a single crystal," the Ministry of Science and Higher Education emphasized.
The organization also noted the high value of the find: the average price for just a coating of this mineral on rock reaches $145 per square millimeter, which is significantly more expensive than gold.
Source: Report
