Chinese geologists have discovered a new mineral of nickel-bismuth-antimony-arsenic sulfide, which offers a rare glimpse into Earth's 4.6-billion-year evolution and potential keys for future material science.

The mineral identified by researchers from the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences has been named "Jinxiuite" in English, which was formally approved by the International Mineralogical Association's Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification last month.

Experts noted the discovery represents a significant scientific breakthrough that expands the boundaries of humanity's understanding of the material world and may eventually promise synthesizing novel materials with special properties.

Yan Jiayong, director of the deep mineral exploration theory and technology research office at the Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, described the new mineral as "design blueprint" gifted by nature.

"We know that a new mineral is a 'design blueprint' gifted by nature. Its stable structure has been screened and refined over 4.6 billion years of geochemical evolution inside Earth. Its unique atomic piling-up may hold properties hard to be replicated through artificial synthesis. Materials scientists can study the natural crystal structures of these metals to attempt creating similar compounds in the lab, so as to develop more efficient, stable, and cost-effective new energy materials," he said.

Beyond its potential as an engineering template, the mineral serves as a "code" recording the unique geological history of Earth and even the broader cosmos, revealing how elements behave under extreme conditions. Each discovery could offer a profound interpretation of nature's secrets.

Yan explained that such materials act as a high‑resolution "time capsule" for decoding local geological history.

"New minerals function as a high‑resolution 'time capsule' for decoding local geological history. Every mineral forms under specific temperature, pressure and chemical conditions. By analyzing its symbiosis with other minerals on Earth, scientists can precisely reconstruct the whole evolution process of such ore deposit, from its early genesis to its final state," he said.

Furthermore, Yan highlighted those new minerals are natural sensors to probe deep Earth, providing invaluable first-hand data on ancient environments within the planet's interior. By interpreting these natural records, scientists can better understand Earth's past transformations, present dynamics, and future trajectory.