Rheniite is the only known mineral with the extremely rare element rhenium as its primary metallic constituent, and as such is a fascinating and exotic species. However, Rheniite is too rare to be mined as an ore of rhenium. All rhenium is extracted from Molybdenite, which contains traces of rhenium in certain localities. Rheniite is named after its rhenium content, and rhenium is named after the Rhine River in Europe. Rheniite is a relatively new mineral, and was only accepted as an individual mineral species in 2004.
Crystal Forms & Aggregates
In groups of tiny wedge-shaped or platy crystals and crusty or flaky grains.
Rheniite was first discovered in the Kudriavy Volcano, on Iturup Island in the Kurile Islands, Russia. It has subsequently been found in several other deposits, but the Kudriavy Volcano has been the only specimen-producer.
