Putnisite

Putnisite is a mineral composed of strontium , chromium and hydrogen It was discovered on the Polar Bear Peninsula in Shire of Dundas , Western Australia Following identification and recognition by the IMA the mineral was named after mineralogists Andrew and Christine Putnis.

Putnisite has unique chemical and structural properties, and does not appear to be related to any of the existing mineralogical families. Crystals are translucent purple, but show distinct pleochroism depending on the angle of observation) and leave pink streaks when rubbed on a flat surface.

Putnisite occurs as small (< 0.5 mm) cube-like crystals in volcanic rock. environment within komatiite bodies containing sulfide minerals