Fichtelite

Fichtelite is a rare white mineral found in fossilized wood from Bavaria. It crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system. It is a cyclic hydrocarbon: (dimethyl)(isopropyl)perhydrophenanthrene, C₁₉H₃₄. It is very soft with a Mohs hardness of 1, the same as talc. Its specific gravity is very low at 1.032, just slightly denser than water.

Fichtelite
Chemical structure of fichtelite
General
Category	Organic mineral
Formula	C19H34
IMA symbol	Fic[1]
Strunz classification	10.BA.05 Hydrocarbons
Dana classification	50.03.04.01
Crystal system	Monoclinic
Crystal class	Sphenoidal (2) (same H-M symbol)
Space group	P21
Identification
Color	Colorless, white, pale yellow
Crystal habit	Elongated tabular crystals
Cleavage	Good on {001} and {100}
Mohs scale hardness	1
Luster	Greasy
Streak	White
Diaphaneity	Transparent
Specific gravity	0.631 calculated[2] 1.032[3]
Optical properties	Biaxial
Melting point	44.2 °C – 45.0 °C
References	[2][3][4]

It was first described in 1841 and named for the location, Fichtelgebirge, Bavaria, Germany.^[4] It has been reported from fossilized pine wood from a peat bog and in organic-rich modern marine sediments.^[2]