Far rarer than diamonds or emeralds, some minerals on Earth are known only from thimbleful samples, according to a first list of 2 550 obscure minerals on Friday that could have future uses, ranging from industry to exotic Valentine’s Day gifts.
Ichnusaite, fingerite, amicite and nevadaite are among truly rare minerals – defined as those known to come from five or fewer places worldwide – and form only under extremely unusual conditions, the scientists wrote.
