Ivan Kostov Nikolov (Bulgarian: Иван Костов Николов) HonFGS HonFMinSoc (December 24, 1913 (O.S.)

[6] He was the second son in the numerous family of Kosta Nikolov, a real estate developer, and his wife, Fanka Nikolova, a housewife.

He attended primary and secondary school in his native town and was inspired by walking trips in the Rhodope mountains.

In 1940 he was awarded a scholarship by the British Council and began his studies at the Royal School of Mines of Imperial College in London.

Upon his return to Bulgaria in 1945 he was elected associate professor and later to the chair of mineralogy, petrology and crystallography at Sofia University.