Ewingite is the most structurally complex mineral on Earth and contains the largest cage of atoms known in a mineral. This sample formed through oxidation of uranium under very specific conditions in the humid environment of the Plavno mine in the Czech Republic. Studies of ewingite’s unique structure are helping to unravel the connection between groundwater chemistry and crystal formation in uranium and carbonate systems. Ewingite is named in honour of Dr. Rodney C. Ewing, Professor of Geological Sciences, Frank Stanton Professor in Nuclear Security, and Senior Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA. Type material is deposited in the mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

Read more about Ewingite: Carbon Mineral Challenge Update: Most Structurally Complex Mineral Found