Round 2 Match 1
Every mineral has now won a match to make it this far, but there’s no time to rest and no second chances in this knockout competition! Round 2 starts with intrigue as Abelsonite defies definitions with its origins and Perovskite tantalizes possible applications with its structure.
Abelsonite straddles the boundaries between biology and geology, the only known crystalline geoporphyrin. Found in fractures, vugs, and the bedding planes of oil shale, this mineral aims to shock with brilliant reds to grey-toned purple crystals with a pink streak. Abelsonite was discovered under a century ago, and first synthesized just twenty years ago.
Perovskite crystallizes as metallic grey to yellow cubes. It forms bathed in high temperature and pressure, found deep within the Earth’s mantle and in brown dwarf stars. Perovskite’s structure is a lure for technological developments with how easily cations can substitute into the crystal.
Read campaign highlights from the Round 1 matches won by Abelsonite and Perovskite.
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