Kaitianite

kaitianite

tistarite

rutile

khamrabaevite

Images

Formula: Ti³⁺₂Ti⁴⁺O₅
Oxide of titanium
Crystal System: Monoclinic
Specific gravity: 4.29 calculated
Environments

Chondrite meteorite

Katianite is a relatively new mineral, approved in 2018 and to date (June 2022) reported only from the type locality. It is likely a product of oxidation of tistarite, along with rutile, at temperatures less than around 927^oC but in a very reducing environment, said to be even more reducing that the surrounding solar nebula gas (Mindat).

Localities

At the type locality, the Allende meteorite, Pueblito de Allende, Chihuahua, Mexico, kaitianite occurs in two crystals, 0.3~0.6 × 3.6 μm and 0.2 × 1.1 μm, within one irregular grain in contact with tistarite and rutile, along with Ti³⁺-bearing corundum, oxide (Ti³⁺,Al,Zr,Si,Mg)_1.95O₃ and titanium-bearing xifengite. These grains are likely from the chondrule where mullite, khamrabaevite and tistarite were identified.
Kaitianite is the first solar titanium oxide with structurally essential Ti³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ (AM105.1922).

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