Kyawthuite is one of the rarest minerals on Earth. Its notoriety stems entirely from its exceptional scarcity in the scientific and gemological communities. This particular compound of bismuth and antimony stands apart from the thousands of mineral species recognized worldwide. Its existence represents a geological anomaly, suggesting its formation required a highly specific set of conditions.
The Official Count and Extreme Rarity
The question of how many Kyawthuite specimens exist has a definitive answer: one. Only a single faceted crystal has been officially recognized and cataloged by the scientific community, earning it the title of a “single-specimen mineral.” This solitary piece weighs 1.61 carats (approximately 0.3 grams) and is housed at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The extreme rarity of Kyawthuite is unmatched, placing it in an exceptional category even compared to other scarce minerals.
For context, the mineral Painite was once considered the world’s rarest, but hundreds of specimens have since been discovered. Kyawthuite’s count remains firmly at one, establishing its unique status in mineralogy. The value of this singular specimen is considered priceless due to its immeasurable scientific and geological significance. This makes the piece an irreplaceable scientific asset, offering the only natural example of its unique atomic structure for study.
Physical and Chemical Identity
Kyawthuite is chemically classified as a natural bismuth antimonate, represented by the formula Bi3+Sb5+O4. This oxide mineral is composed of bismuth and antimony, a combination previously unknown to occur naturally. The mineral exhibits a distinctive transparent, reddish-orange color with a high, brilliant reflectivity known as adamantine luster.
Physically, Kyawthuite possesses a monoclinic crystal system, defined by three unequal axes with one oblique angle. It is an exceptionally dense material, with a specific gravity measured at 8.256 g/cm3, making it roughly eight times denser than water. The mineral is moderately hard, registering 5½ on the Mohs scale, meaning it can be scratched by quartz but is harder than common glass.
The Context of Discovery and Classification
The single known crystal of Kyawthuite was discovered in 2010 in the Mogok region of Myanmar, an area famous for producing unique and high-quality gemstones. The waterworn crystal was initially found by sapphire hunters in the Chaung Gyi Valley. It was later acquired at a local market by the Burmese gemologist Dr. Kyaw Thu, after whom the mineral is named.
Dr. Thu noticed the crystal’s unusual properties and sent it for detailed analysis at the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) laboratory in Bangkok. Analysis confirmed the crystal possessed a unique chemical composition and an atomic structure never before observed in a natural mineral. The International Mineralogical Association (IMA) officially recognized Kyawthuite as a new mineral species in 2015. This classification process confirmed its status as a unique entity in the planet’s mineral inventory.