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The new mineral zilbermintsite-(La), ideally (CaLa5)(Fe3+Al3Fe2+)[Si2O7][SiO4]5O(OH)3, was found in a single polymineralic nodule from the Mochalin Log REE deposit, Chelyabinsk Oblast, South Urals, Russia. Zilbermintsite-(La) forms anhedral grains up to 0.65 × 0.20 mm at the contact of ferriperbøeite-(La), törnebohmite-(La) and ferriallanite-(Ce). Other associated minerals include bastnäsite-(La), biraite-(La), ferriallanite-(La), ferriperbøeite-(Ce), fluorbritholite-(Ce), monazite-(La), perbøeite-(La), percleveite-(Ce), percleveite-(La), perrierite-(Ce), perrierite-(La), thorianite, thorite and quartz. The new mineral is light brown, translucent in thin fragments with a vitreous lustre. It is brittle, with good {100} cleavage. Mohs hardness is ca. 6. D calc = 4.684 g cm–3. Optically, zilbermintsite-(La) is biaxial (+), α = 1.805(7), β = 1.812(7) and γ = 1.867(8) (589 nm); 2Vmeas = 40(15)° and 2Vcalc = 40°. The empirical formula based on O28(OH,F)3 apfu is (Ca0.94La2.56Ce2.18Nd0.20Pr0.10Th0.02)Σ6.00(Al2.96Fe3+0.90Fe2+0.64Mg0.34Mn0.13Ti0.03)Σ5.00Si7.00O28[(OH)2.42F0.58]. Zilbermintsite-(La) is monoclinic, P 21/ m ; the unit-cell parameters are: a = 8.9605(5), b = 5.7295(2), c = 25.1033(13) Å, β = 116.616(7), V = 1152.21(12) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure of zilbermintsite-(La) is solved from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data [ R = 0.0757 for 2857 unique reflections with I > 2σ(I)]. The new mineral is isotypic to radekškodaite-(La) and radekškodaite-(Ce) and together with them forms the newly defined radekškodaite group. All members of this group possess the ET2 type structure where one epidote-type module (E) regularly alternates with two törnebohmite-type modules (T). The new mineral honours Professor Veniamin A. Zilbermints (1887–1939) who was a pioneer of the study of the Mochalin Log deposit. The Levinson suffix-modifier -(La) indicates the predominance of La among rare-earth elements in the mineral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangani-eckermannite, ideally NaNa2(Mg4Mn3+)Si8O22(OH)2, is a new member of the amphibole supergroup found at Tanohata Mine, Shimohei District, Iwate Prefecture, Japan. It occurs as prismatic crystals up to 0.3 × 0.2 mm and their aggregates up to 1 mm intergrown with braunite, vittinkiite and quartz. Mangani-eckermannite is cherry-red to very dark red and reddish-brown in thicker grains. It is translucent with a pinkish white streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle, fracture is stepped along crystal elongation and uneven across a crystal. Cleavage is perfect on {110}. Mohs hardness is 6. D meas = 3.16(2) and D calc = 3.186 g/cm3. The mineral is optically biaxial (–), with α = 1.645(3), β = 1.668(2), γ = 1.675(3) (589 nm); 2Vmeas = 60(10)°, 2Vcalc = 57°. The empirical formula derived from electron microprobe analysis, secondary-ion mass spectrometry and single-crystal structure refinement and calculated on the basis of 24 (O+OH) atoms per formula unit (apfu) is A(Na0.74K0.24□0.02)Σ1.00B(Na1.52Ca0.24Mn2+0.24)Σ2.00C(Mg2.54Mn2+1.45Mn3+0.71Fe3+0.26Ti0.04)Σ5.00T(Si7.97Al0.03)Σ8.00O22W[(OH)1.52O0.48]Σ2.00. Mangani-eckermannite is monoclinic, space group C 2/ m , a = 9.9533(4), b = 18.1440(7), c = 5.2970(2) Å, β = 103.948(4)°, V = 928.39(6) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [ d , Å (I , %)(hkl)] are: 8.52(100)(110); 4.54(25)(040); 3.41(29)(131); 3.16(23)(310,201); 2.721(37)(151); 2.533(26)($\bar{2}$ 02). The crystal structure was refined to R 1 = 0.0264 for 1001 independent reflections with I > 2σ(I). The place of mangani-eckermannite in the nomenclature of the amphibole supergroup is discussed and the status of mangano-ferri-eckermannite as a valid mineral species and successor of 'kôzulite' is questioned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetrahedrite-(Cd), Cu 6 (Cu 4 Cd 2) Sb 4 S 13 , is a new IMA-approved mineral species from Radětice near the Příbram deposit, Czech Republic. It occurs as black metallic anhedral grains, up to 200 µ m in size in quartz–calcite gangue, associated with galena, bournonite, sphalerite, pyrite, geocronite, silver, stromeyerite, tetrahedrite-(Zn), tetrahedrite-(Fe), tetrahedrite-(Cu), and an unknown Pb-rich tetrahedrite-like phase. In reflected light, tetrahedrite-(Cd) is isotropic and grey with greenish tints. Reflectance data for the four COM wavelengths in air are as follows (λ (nm) : R (%)): 470 : 30.8, 546 : 31.1, 589 : 31.1 and 650 : 28.8. Electron microprobe analysis gave (in wt % – average of 13 spot analyses) Cu 34.85, Ag 2.09, Fe 0.18, Zn 0.26, Cd 11.03, Hg 0.75, Pb 0.31, Sb 28.07, and S 23.38, with a total of 100.92. On the basis of Σ Me = 16 atoms per formula unit, the empirical formula of tetrahedrite-(Cd) is Cu 9.65 Ag 0.34 Cd 1.73 Zn 0.07 Hg 0.07 Fe 0.06 Pb 0.03 Sb 4.06 S 12.84. Tennantite-(Cd) is cubic, I4‾3m , with unit-cell parameters a=10.504(3) Å, V=1158.9(9) Å 3 , and Z=2. Its crystal structure was refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to a final R1=0.0252 on the basis of 257 unique reflections with Fo>4σ(Fo) and 23 refined parameters. Tetrahedrite-(Cd) is isotypic with other tetrahedrite-group minerals. Its crystal chemistry is discussed, and previous findings of Cd-rich tetrahedrite-group minerals are briefly reviewed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Napoliite, ideally Pb2OFCl, is a new fluoroxychloride mineral found in a specimen from a fumarole formed subsequent to the 1944 eruption of Vesuvius volcano, Naples Province, Italy. It occurs as well-shaped lamellar crystals up to 0.25 × 0.25 × 0.01 mm typically forming clusters up to 0.4 × 0.4 mm on the surface of volcanic scoria in association with anglesite, artroeite, atacamite, calcioaravaipaite, cerussite, challacolloite, cotunnite, hephaistosite, manuelarossiite, matlockite and susannite. Napoliite is colourless with white streak and adamantine lustre. It is brittle and has a laminated fracture. Cleavage is perfect on {001}. D calc = 7.797 g cm–3. The calculated mean refractive index is 2.10. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron microprobe) is: PbO 91.71, F 3.89, Cl 7.34, –O=(F+Cl) –3.30, total 99.64. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 3 anions is Pb1.999O0.997F0.996Cl1.007. Raman spectroscopy confirms the absence of OH– groups and H2O molecules in the mineral. Napoliite is tetragonal, space group P 42/ mcm , a = 5.7418(11), c = 12.524(4) Å, V = 412.9(2) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [ d , Å (I , %) (hkl)] are: 3.860 (85) (111); 3.139 (20) (004); 2.914 (100) (113); 2.866 (63) (200); 2.118 (19) (204); 2.027 (19) (220); 1.665 (20) (313); and 1.642 (23) (117). The crystal structure was refined to R 1 = 0.024 for 222 reflections with F > 4σ(F). It is based on lead oxide blocks derived from that of litharge PbO, which alternate with layers of chloride ions. Napoliite represents a new structure type with a unique order/disorder pattern of fluorine and oxygen atoms. The new mineral is dimorphous with rumseyite. It is named after the city of Naples (Napoli in Italian). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two crystalline phases, which are analogues of common secondary uranyl minerals, namely, becquerelite (Ca[(UO2)6O4 (OH)6]·8H2O) and phurcalite (Ca2[(UO2)3O2 (PO4)2]·7H2O) were identified on the surface of a Chernobyl corium-containing sample affected by hydrothermal alteration in distilled water at 150 °C for one year. Phases were characterized using Single-Crystal X-ray Diffraction Analysis (SCXRD) as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy. Features of the structural architecture of novel phases, which come from the specific chemical composition of the initial fragment of Chernobyl sample, are reported and discussed. Precise identification of these phases is important for modelling of severe nuclear accidents and their long-term consequences, including expected corium–water interaction processes at three damaged Units of the Nuclear Power Plant Fukushima Daiichi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structure of a naturally occurring layered double hydroxide mineral—desautelsite from San Benito County, California, USA—was refined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data in the space group R-3m, a = 3.1238(2) Å, c = 23.528(3) Å, V = 198.83(4) Å3, and Z = 3/8. The Mg and Mn cations are disordered occurring in one M site with occupancy Mg0.77Mn0.23. According to the electron microprobe analysis supported by Raman spectroscopy, the empirical formula is Mg6.20(MnIII1.78Al0.01FeIII0.01)Σ1.80(OH)16(CO3)0.90·5.35H2O that shows higher content of interlayer (H2O) molecules in comparison to the ideal formula that also agrees with the structure refinement. The Raman spectroscopy of two samples indicated O–H vibrations (3650/3640 cm−1, ~3500 sh cm−1), symmetric C–O (1055/1057 cm−1), Mg–O–Mg (533/533 cm−1) and Mn–O–Mn (439/438 cm−1) stretching vibrations and lattice vibrations (284/287 cm−1). Summing up our data and that of the current literature, we show a correlation (R2 = 0.91) between the averaged effective ionic radius (x) and a unit cell parameter (y) of hydrotalcite group minerals, y = 1.9871 x + 1.4455 . Desautelsite follows this correlation, being the species with one of the largest a unit cell parameters among the group. The correlation can be applied for control of cation intercalation during synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kaznakhtite, ideally Ni6Co3+2(CO3)(OH)16⋅4H2O, is a new member of the hydrotalcite group within the hydrotalcite supergroup. The mineral was discovered at the Kaznakhtinskiy ultrabasic massif, Altai Republic, SW Siberia, Russia. It occurs as powdery aggregates forming flattened lenses up to 1.5 × 0.5 cm and veinlets up to 1 cm long and up to 1 mm thick in aggregates of chrysotile, lizardite, stichtite and dolomite. Other associated minerals include brucite, chromite, heazlewoodite, manganochromite, magnetite and magnesioferrite. Kaznakhtite aggregates are composed of tiny platy grains up to 0.01 mm across. Kaznakhtite is light green and translucent in aggregates. It has an earthy lustre and white streak. Cleavage is micaceous on {001}. Dcalc = 2.864 g cm–3. The mineral is optically uniaxial (–) with ɛ = 1.657(3) and ω = 1.676(3), and weakly pleochroic in greenish hues, ω > ɛ. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron microprobe, Co valence state determined by XANES spectroscopy, CO2 and H2O calculated by stoichiometry) is: MgO 2.15, NiO 47.40, ZnO 0.22, Al2O3 0.16, Cr2O3 0.98, Co2O3 17.42, Cl 0.63, CO2 5.05, H2O 24.60, –O=Cl –0.14, total 98.47. The empirical formula calculated based on the sum of all metal cations = 8 apfu is (Ni5.54Mg0.47Zn0.02)Σ6.03(Co3+1.83Cr0.11Al0.03)Σ1.97C1.00O2.99(OH)15.84Cl0.16⋅4H2O. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of CO32– anions, OH– groups and H2O molecules. The crystal structure was refined by the Rietveld method with RB = 0.19%. Kaznakhtite is trigonal, space group R͞3m, a = 3.0515 (3), c = 23.180 (3) Å, V = 186.93 (4) Å3 and Z = 3/8. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 7.72 (100) (003); 3.863 (24) (006); 2.630 (4) (101); 2.576 (10) (012); 2.294 (6) (015); 1.950 (4) (018); 1.526 (4) (110); and 1.497 (4) (113). Kaznakhtite is a Co3+ analogue of reevesite, Ni6Fe3+2(CO3)(OH)16⋅4H2O. The mineral is named after its type locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the combination of low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis and room-temperature evaporation, a synthetic phase similar in composition and crystal structure to the Earth's most complex mineral, ewingite, was obtained. The crystal structures of both natural and synthetic compounds are based on supertetrahedral uranyl-carbonate nanoclusters that are arranged according to the cubic body-centered lattice principle. The structure and composition of the uranyl carbonate nanocluster were refined using the data on synthetic material. Although the stability of natural ewingite is higher (according to visual observation and experimental studies), the synthetic phase can be regarded as a primary and/or metastable reaction product which further re-crystallizes into a more stable form under environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gurzhiite, ideally Al(UO2)(SO4)2F⋅10H2O, is a new uranyl sulfate mineral from the Bykogorskoe U deposit, Northern Caucasus, Russia. It occurs as fine-grained aggregates forming veinlets up to 50 cm long in cracks of the brecciated rock. Gurzhiite aggregates are composed of small bladed crystals up to 0.1 mm across. Associated minerals include khademite and quartz. Gurzhiite is pale yellow in crystals, lemon yellow in aggregates, transparent with a vitreous lustre and a white streak. It is brittle and has an irregular fracture. Cleavage is good on {001}. The new mineral exhibits a bright yellow–green fluorescence under both longwave and shortwave UV radiation. Mohs hardness is ~2. Dmeas = 2.52(3) g/cm3 and Dcalc = 2.605 g/cm3. The mineral is biaxial (–) with α = 1.528(3), β = 1.538(2), γ = 1.544(3) (589 nm); 2Vmeas= 80(10)° and 2Vcalc = 75.1°. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 21(O + F) atoms per formula unit (apfu) is Al0.92Zn0.05Fe3+0.03Na0.03U0.95S2.00O9.85F0.99⋅10.16H2O. Gurzhiite is triclinic, with space group P $\bar{1}$ , a = 7.193(2), b = 11.760(2), c = 11.792(2) Å, α = 67.20(3), β = 107.76(3), γ = 89.99(3)°, V = 867.7(4) Å3 and Z = 2. The five strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %)(hkl)] are: 10.24(100)(001); 5.40(14)($\bar{ 1}\bar{1}$ 1); 5.11(54)(002); 3.405(11)($\bar{2}$ 11); and 3.065(11)($\bar{1}\bar{1}$ 3). The crystal structure of gurzhiite is based upon uranyl sulfate chains of the same type as in bobcookite and svornostite. Between the chains are two types of Al-octahedra – Al1(H2O)6 and Al2F2(H2O)4. The entire structure stability is maintained by a complex network of H bonds. The new mineral honours Russian mineralogist and crystallographer Dr. Vladislav V. Gurzhiy in recognition for his contributions to uranium mineralogy and crystallography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: Gungerite; new mineral species; Tl-As-Sb sulfosalt; Raman spectroscopy; crystal structure; covalent bonds; Vorontsovskoe gold deposit EN Gungerite new mineral species Tl-As-Sb sulfosalt Raman spectroscopy crystal structure covalent bonds Vorontsovskoe gold deposit 1164 1173 10 06/01/22 20220601 NES 220601 Introduction Thallium and its compounds play a very important role in a wide variety of industrial applications ([9]; https://www.usgs.gov/centers/nmic/thallium-statistics-and-information): they are applied in the manufacture of electronic devices, optical lenses with a high-refractive index, semiconductor materials, alloys, radiation detection equipment, infrared radiation detection and transmission equipment, crystalline filters for light diffraction for acoustic-optical measuring devices, low-temperature thermometers, in the synthesis of organic compounds, and in a high-density liquid for sink-float separation of minerals. [Extracted from the article]

Pokhodyashinite CuTlSb2(Sb1-xTlx)AsS7-x, is a new sulfosalt from the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit, Sverdlovsk Oblast', Northern Urals, Russia. It forms anhedral grains up to 0.1 × 0.05 mm in size in calcite and is associated with major orpiment, pyrite, realgar and minor baryte, clinochlore, As-bearing fluorapatite, harmotome, prehnite, native gold and a rich spectrum of sulfosalts. Pokhodyashinite is black, opaque, and has a metallic luster and a black streak. It is brittle, with an uneven fracture and poor cleavage on {100}. The Vickers hardness (VHN, 20 g load) is 55 kg/mm2, corresponding to a Mohs hardness of 2. The calculated density is 5.169 g/cm3. In reflected light, pokhodyashinite is grayish-white, bireflectance is distinct. In crossed polars, it is strongly anisotropic; rotation tints vary from dark brownish gray to light bluish-gray. No internal reflections are observed. The reflectance values for wavelengths recommended by the Commission on Ore Mineralogy of the IMA are (Rmin/Rmax, %): 28.9/34.6 (470 nm), 27.6/33.4 (546 nm), 26.7/32.4 (589 nm), 26.1/31.1 (650 nm). The empirical formula of pokhodyashinite based on ΣMe = 6 apfu is Cu0.700Ag0.340Tl1.320Pb0.020Sb2.630As0.990S6.625. Pokhodyashinite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 23.431(5), b = 3.996(2), c = 14.070(3) Å, β = 110.23(3)°, V = 1236.1(8) ų and Z = 4. Its structure can be described as wavy slabs of a complex structure based on double-rods of Sb-coordination pyramids and lone-electron-pair interspaces/micelles, separated by wavy interlayers consisting of paired columns of Tl and rods of paired Cu-coordination polyhedra. A small amount of Tl-for-Sb substitution results in partial anion vacancies in one sulfur site. The new mineral is named in honor of Maxim Mikhailovitch Pokhodyashin, a pioneer of mining engineering and smelting works in the Northern Urals of the 18th century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new isostructural minerals, alexkuznetsovite-(La), ideally La2Mn(CO3)(Si2O7), alexkuznetsovite-(Ce) Ce2Mn(CO3)(Si2O7) and biraite-(La) La2Fe2+(CO3)(Si2O7), were discovered in polymineralic nodules from the Mochalin Log REE deposit, South Urals, Russia. The new minerals form anhedral grains up to 0.3 mm × 0.4 mm [alexkuznetsovite-(La)], 0.5 mm × 0.9 mm [alexkuznetsovite-(Ce)] and 0.2 mm × 1.2 mm [biraite-(La)] embedded in granular aggregates consisting of different REE minerals [allanite-(Ce)/-(La), bastnäsite-(Ce)/-(La), fluorbritholite-(Ce), perbøeite-(Ce)/-(La), percleveite-(Ce)/-(La) and törnebohmite-(Ce)/-(La)]. All three new species are brown to dark brown, translucent in thin fragments, with white streak, vitreous lustre and Mohs' hardness of ~5. Dcalc = 4.713 [alexkuznetsovite-(La)], 4.687 [alexkuznetsovite-(Ce)] and 4.682 [biraite-La)] g⋅cm–3. Their empirical formulae, calculated on the basis of 2 Si and 10 O apfu, are: alexkuznetsovite-(La): (La0.98Ce0.89Nd0.10Pr0.05)Σ2.02Mn2+0.50Fe2+0.29Ca0.12Mg0.03(CO3)0.94(HCO3)0.06 (Si2O7); alexkuznetsovite-(Ce): (Ce0.96La0.78Nd0.16Pr0.07)Σ1.97Th0.01Mn2+0.50Fe2+0.33Ca0.14Mg0.02(CO3)0.93(HCO3)0.07(Si2O7); and biraite-(La): (La0.95Ce0.87Nd0.08Pr0.04)Σ1.94Th0.01Ca0.12Fe2+0.44Mn2+0.38Mg0.07(CO3)0.88(HCO3)0.12(Si2O7). The new minerals are monoclinic, P21/c and Z = 4. The unit-cell parameters of alexkuznetsovite-(La)/alexkuznetsovite-(Ce)/biraite-(La) are: a = 6.5642(3)/6.5764(4)/6.5660(10), b = 6.7689(3)/6.7685(4)/6.7666(11), c = 18.7213(10)/18.7493(15)/18.698(3) Å, β = 108.684(6)/108.672(8)/108.952(16)° and V = 788.00(7)/790.66(10)/785.7(2) Å3. The crystal structures are solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data; R = 0.0628 [alexkuznetsovite-(La)], 0.0589 [alexkuznetsovite-(Ce)] and 0.1193 [biraite-(La)]. A new biraite group is defined; it includes isostructural biraite-(Ce) and the three new minerals described herein. The rootname alexkuznetsovite is given in honour of the Russian mineral collector Alexey M. Kuznetsov (born 1962) who provided samples in which all three new minerals were found. The Levinson's suffix-modifier -(La) or -(Ce) indicates the predominance of La or Ce among REE in the mineral. Biraite-(La) is named as an analogue of biraite-(Ce) with La prevailing among REE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auerbakhite (IMA 2020-047), MnTl2As2S5, is a new sulfosalt from the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit, Sverdlovsk Oblast', Northern Urals, Russia. The new mineral occurs in limestone breccias composed of calcite, dolomite, baryte, clinochlore, fluorapatite and quartz, and cemented by major realgar, orpiment and pyrite. Other minerals directly associating with auerbakhite include alabandite, bernardite, christite, cinnabar, coloradoite, dalnegroite, gillulyite, gold, hutchinsonite, imhofite, lorándite, metacinnabar, philrothite, rebulite, routhierite, sphalerite, and vrbaite. Auerbakhite forms rare and very small short-prismatic crystals and irregular grains which do not exceed 15 × 5 µm. It is transparent, has a bright red color and adamantine luster. Auerbakhite is brittle, with an uneven fracture. Cleavage is not observed. The calculated density is 5.245 g/cm³. In reflected light, auerbakhite is light gray, weakly bireflectant. In crossed polars, it is distinctly anisotropic, in light gray and brown tones, with abundant bright red internal reflections. The empirical formula of auerbakhite is Mn1.04Tl1.97Pb0.02As1.95S5.02 (based on 10 atoms pfu). Prominent features in the Raman spectrum include bands of Mn-S and As-S stretching vibrations and numerous low-frequency bands related to mixed soft modes involving bending and Tl-S stretching vibrations. Auerbakhite is orthorhombic, space group Cmce, a = 15.3280(15) Å, b = 7.662(7)Å, c = 16.6330(14)Å, V = 1953.40(18)ų and Z = 8. The crystal structure of auerbakhite was refined from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R = 0.0723 for 307 observed reflections with Iobs > 3σ(I). Auerbakhite is isostructural to the synthetic phase Tl2MnAs2S5. Its crystal structure consists of complex (001) layers based on a set of MnS4 columns parallel to [010] and are composed of edge-sharing slightly irregular MnS6 octahedra. The columns are connected via Tl1 and are framed by paired AsS3 pyramids with lone electron pairs oriented into interlayer space. Highly irregular Tl(2)S6 coordination polyhedra are situated in interlayers and share ligands with the layers. The new mineral honors Russian mining engineer, manufacturer and mineralogist Alexander Andreevitch Auerbakh whose activities were closely related to Northern Urals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Luboržákite, ideally Mn2AsSbS5, is a new mineral from the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit, Northern Urals, Russia. It forms long-prismatic crystals up to 70 × 20 μm and anhedral grains of the same size embedded in the matrix of Mn-bearing dolomite and Mn-bearing calcite. Associated minerals include pyrite, orpiment, realgar, stibnite, aktashite, alabandite, boscardinite, chabournéite, coloradoite, clerite, écrinsite, gold, routhierite, sphalerite and twinnite. Luboržákite is black, opaque with metallic lustre and has a black streak. It is brittle and has an uneven fracture. No cleavage and parting have been observed. Mohs hardness is 4–4½. Dcalc = 4.181 g cm–3. In reflected light, luboržákite is tin-white, weakly anisotropic with rotation tints varying from dark grey to grey. The chemical composition of luboržákite is (wt.%; electron microprobe, WDS mode): Mn 21.23, Cu 0.29, Ag 0.56, Pb 1.90, As 15.25, Sb 27.03, S 33.23, total 99.49. The empirical formula based on the sum of all atoms = 9 apfu is Mn1.86Pb0.04Ag0.03Cu0.02As0.98Sb1.07S5.00. The new mineral is monoclinic, space group C2/m with a = 12.5077(6), b = 3.8034(2), c = 16.0517(8) Å, β = 94.190(4)°, V = 761.57(6) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure of luboržákite was solved from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R = 0.0383 for 712 observed reflections with I > 3σ(I). Luboržákite is a new member of the heterochemical isostructural series of 'unit-cell twinned' structures, named the pavonite series. The new mineral honours Lubor Žák, a prominent Czech crystallographer and the professor of the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper opens a series devoted to the mineral diversity of the Mochalin Log rare earth element (REE) deposit, South Urals, Russia. There is a brief outline of the history of studies and geology of the deposit as well as the description of two new isostructural gatelite-group minerals, ferriperbøeite-(La) (CaLa3)(Fe3+Al2Fe2+)[Si2O7][SiO4]3O(OH)2 and perbøeite-(La) (CaLa3)(Al3Fe2+)[Si2O7][SiO4]3O(OH)2. Both minerals occur in polymineralic nodules and are associated with one another and allanite-(Ce), allanite-(La), bastnäsite-(Ce), bastnäsite-(La), ferriallanite-(Ce), ferriallanite-(La), ferriperbøeite-(Ce), perbøeite-(Ce), törnebohmite-(Ce) and törnebohmite-(La). The new minerals form isolated anhedral grains up to 0.3 mm [ferriperbøeite-(La)] and 0.5 mm [perbøeite-(La)] across and granular aggregates up to 1.5 mm × 0.5 mm [ferriperbøeite-(La)] and 3 mm × 1 mm [perbøeite-(La)]. Both minerals are brownish-black with vitreous lustre. Dcalc = 4.510 [ferriperbøeite-(La)] and 4.483 [perbøeite-(La)] g cm–3. They are optically biaxial (+); ferriperbøeite-(La): α = 1.788(5), β = 1.790(5), γ = 1.810(5) and 2Vmeas = 40(10)°; perbøeite-(La): α = 1.778(8), β = 1.783(8), γ = 1.805(8) and 2Vmeas = 40(10)°. Chemical data [wt.%, electron-microprobe; Fe3+:Fe2+ ratio from charge-balance requirements, H2O by stoichiometry; ferriperbøeite-(La)/perbøeite-(La)] are: CaO 4.91/4.81, ThO2 0.00/0.32, La2O3 23.75/22.16, Ce2O3 19.69/20.05, Pr2O3 0.85/1.09, Nd2O3 1.48/2.18, MgO 1.47/1.38, Al2O3 10.68/11.25, MnO 1.07/0.92, FeO 3.04/3.35, Fe2O3 5.31/3.78, TiO2 0.19/0.19, SiO2 27.47/27.35, F 0.11/0.23, H2O 1.61/1.54, –O = F –0.05/–0.10, total 101.58/100.50. The empirical formulae based on O20(OH,F)2 are for ferriperbøeite-(La): (Ca0.95La1.58Ce1.30Nd0.10Pr0.06)Σ3.99(Al2.27Fe3+0.72Fe2+0.46Mg0.40Mn0.16Ti0.03)Σ4.04Si4.96O20[(OH)1.94F0.06]; and for perbøeite-(La): (Ca0.94Th0.01La1.49Ce1.34Nd0.14Pr0.07)Σ3.99(Al2.42Fe3+0.52Fe2+0.51Mg0.38Mn0.14 Ti0.03)Σ4.00Si4.99O20[(OH)1.87F0.13]. Both minerals are monoclinic, P21/m; the unit-cell parameters [ferriperbøeite-(La)/perbøeite-(La)] are: a = 8.9458(2)/8.9652(4), b = 5.72971(13)/5.7306(2), c = 17.6192(3)/17.6770(9) Å, β = 115.9497(19)/116.053(6)°, V = 812.06(3)/815.88(6) Å3 and Z = 2/2. The crystal structures are solved on a single crystal and converged to R = 0.0355 [ferriperbøeite-(La)] and 0.0750 [perbøeite-(La)]. Ferriperbøeite-(La) and perbøeite-(La) are named as the La-analogues of ferriperbøeite-(Ce) and perbøeite-(Ce), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxybismutomicrolite, ideally [(Bi3+,#)2]Σ4+Ta2O6O, where # = subordinate substituents, such as Na+, Ca2+ and vacancy (□), is a microlite-group, pyrochlore-supergroup mineral discovered at the Solnechnaya ('Sunny') pegmatite vein, Malkhan pegmatite field, Zabaykalskiy Kray, Central Transbaikalia, Russia. It forms rough octahedral crystals up to 1 mm across and equant grains up to 2 mm across embedded in an albite–lepidolite–elbaite complex. Other associated minerals are Bi-rich fluornatromicrolite, bismutotantalite and stibiotantalite. The new mineral is black, with resinous lustre; the streak is greyish white. It is non-fluorescent under ultraviolet light. Oxybismutomicrolite is brittle, with Mohs' hardness of ~5. Cleavage is not observed, fracture is uneven. Dmeas. = 6.98(2) g/cm3 and Dcalc. = 7.056 g/cm3. The mineral is optically isotropic. The mean refractive index calculated from the Gladstone–Dale equation is 2.184. The infrared spectrum shows the absence of H2O molecules and OH groups. The chemical composition is (electron microprobe, wt.%): Na2O 3.45, CaO 2.88, MnO 0.31, PbO 0.76, Bi2O3 29.81, ThO2 0.18, TiO2 3.89, SnO2 1.77, Nb2O5 4.50, Ta2O5 51.08, F 1.17, O = F –0.49, total 99.31. The empirical formula, on the basis of 2 cations at the B site, is (Bi0.79Na0.68Ca0.32Mn0.03Pb0.02□0.16)Σ2.00(Ta1.42Ti0.30Nb0.21Sn0.07)Σ2.00O6.00(O0.52F0.38□0.10)Σ1.00. The crystal structure refinement (R = 0.019) gave the following data: cubic, Fd–3m, a = 10.4746(11) Å, V = 1149.2(4) Å3 and Z = 8. The eight strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å(I, %)(hkl)] are: 6.051(12)(111), 3.160(10)(311), 3.026(100)(222), 2.621(32)(400), 1.854(33)(440), 1.581(27)(622), 1.514(7)(444) and 1.203(7)(662). Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 5409/1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gladkovskyite (IMA2018-098), MnTlAs3S6, is a new sulfosalt from the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit, Sverdlovsk Oblast', Northern Urals, Russia. The new mineral occurs in limestone breccias cemented by abundant realgar, orpiment, baryte and pyrite, as well as minor clinochlore, fluorapatite, quartz and talc. Gladkovskyite forms long-prismatic crystals and grains up to 0.2 mm; it has dark cherry-red color and red streak. It is transparent with adamantine luster. The Vickers microhardness is 94 kg/mm2. The new mineral is brittle, with uneven fracture; neither cleavage nor parting was observed. The density calculated based on the empirical formula is 4.356 g/cm3. In reflected light, gladkovskyite is grayish-white, strongly anisotropic with rotation tints varying from light-grey to brown. Its pleochroism is moderate, from orange-red to dark-red, and bireflectance is very weak, ΔR = 0.58% (589 nm). The empirical formula of gladkovskyite is Mn1.01Tl0.99Pb0.01 As2.86Sb0.13S6.00 (based on 11 atoms pfu). Prominent features in the Raman spectrum include bands of Mn-S and As-S stretching vibrations as well as numerous low-frequency bands related to phonons. Gladkovskyite is trigonal, R31c, a = 9.6392(2), c = 6.4560(15) Å, V = 519.49(12) Å3 and Z = 2. The seven strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs, Å (I, %) (hkl) ]: 5.11 (80) (101), 4.83 (70) (110), 3.49 (50) (201), 3.23 (30) (002), 2.86 (100) (-2-11, 211), 2.68 (30) (112), 2.55 (60) (301, 202). The crystal structure of gladkovskyite was refined from the single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R = 0.0178 for 679 observed reflections with Iobs > 3s(I). It contains infinite chains of face-sharing MnS6 octahedra, TlS9 polyhedra and pyramidal AsS3 groups; the structure belongs to the group of seldom occurring cyclic sulfosalts. The new mineral honors Russian geologist Boris Aleksandrovich Gladkovsky who discovered the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the first crystal-structure determination of natural MgCO3·5H2O, mineral lansfordite, in comparison with previous structural works performed on synthetic analogues. A new prototype singlecrystal X-ray diffractometer allowed us to measure an extremely small crystal (i.e. 0.020 mm × 0.010 mm × 0.005 mm) and refine anisotropically all non-hydrogen atoms in the structure and provide a robust hydrogen-bond arrangement. Our new data confirm that natural lansfordite can be stable for several months at room temperature, in contrast with previous works, which reported that such a mineral could be stable only below 10°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plášilite (IMA 2014-021), Na(UO2)(SO4)(OH)?2H2O, is a new uranyl sulfate mineral from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. The new mineral occurs in and on sandstone matrix in close association with atacamite, blödite, brochantite, calcite, chalcanthite, dickite, gerhardtite, gypsum, hexahydrite, johannite, manganoblödite, natrozippeite and tamarugite. It is a low-temperature, secondary mineral formed by the post-mining weathering of uraninite. Plášilite is monoclinic, with the space group P21/c, and unit cell parameters a = 8.7122(6), b = 13.8368(4), c = 7.0465(2) Å, β = 112.126(8)°, V = 786.89(7) ų and Z = 4. Crystals are long, thin blades, elongated on [001] and flattened on {100}; rarely as prisms, also elongated on [001]. Crystals exhibit the forms {100}, {010} and {011}, and are commonly twinned on {100}. Plášilite is greenish yellow, has a white streak and fluoresces bluish white under both long-wave and short-wave UV. It is transparent with vitreous luster. The mineral has a Mohs hardness probably between 2 and 3, brittle tenacity, even fracture and two perfect cleavages, {010} and {001}. The calculated density based on the empirical formula is 3.726 g/cm³. The mineral is optically biaxial (+), with α = 1.556(1), β = 1.581(1) and γ = 1.608(1) (measured with white light). The measured 2V is 88(1)° and the calculated 2V is 89°. Dispersion is moderate, r < ν. The mineral is pleochroic with X = nearly colourless, Y = very pale yellow, Z = pale yellow; X < Y < Z. The optical orientation is X = b, Y c = 4° in obtuse β. The empirical formula of plášilite is Na0.94(UO2)(S1.01O4)(OH)(H2O)2 (based on 9 O apfu). Prominent features in the Raman spectrum include the symmetric stretching vibrations of the uranyl (UO22+) group and sulfate tetrahedra and the O-H stretching and bending vibrations of the H2O molecules. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I )(hkl) ]: 6.90(100)(020), 5.85(99)(011,111), 4.024(57)(200,130), 3.492(82)(102,220,040), 3.136(40)(122), 2.690(25)(141,102, 241,032), 2.618(34)(240,150, 302), 1.9212(30)(mult.). The crystal structure of plášilite (R1 = 0.019 for 1603 reflections with Fobs > 4σF) contains uranyl sulfate sheets of composition [(UO2)2(SO4)2(OH)2]2- parallel to (010). Between the sheets and linking them to one another are chains of edge-sharing NaO2(H2O)4 octahedra parallel to [001]. The uranyl sulfate sheet is based on the phosphuranylite anion topology. The sheets in plášilite and deliensite are geometrical isomers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rundqvistite-(Ce), ideally Na3(Sr3Ce)(Zn2Si8O24), is a new mineral from the Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tien-Shan Mountains, Tajikistan. The mineral occurs as elongated grains up to 0.1 mm long and up to 0.03 mm thick embedded in quartz–pectolite aggregate in a silexite-like peralkaline pegmatite. Associated minerals are quartz, fluorite, pectolite, baratovite, aegirine, leucosphenite, neptunite, reedmergnerite, orlovite, sokolovaite, mendeleevite-(Ce), odigitriaite, pekovite, zeravshanite, kirchhoffite and garmite. The mineral is colourless with a vitreous lustre and a white streak, brittle, D meas. is 3.70(2) and D calc. is 3.709 g/cm3. Rundqvistite-(Ce) is monoclinic, space group P 21/ c , a = 5.1934(16), b = 7.8934(16), c = 26.011(5) Å, β = 90.02(3)° and V = 1066.3(4) Å3. The chemical composition of rundqvistite-(Ce) is SiO2 40.17, La2O3 2.64, Ce2O3 7.55, Pr2O3 0.80, Nd2O3 2.43, Sm2O3 0.33, Eu2O3 0.09, Gd2O3 0.24, Tb2O3 0.18, Dy2O3 0.21, PbO 1.03, SrO 19.83, FeO 0.37, ZnO 13.08, CaO 2.55, Na2O 8.04, total 99.54 wt.%. The empirical formula calculated on 24 O apfu (atoms per formula unit) is Na3.10Sr2.29Ca0.54Pb0.06(Ce0.55La0.19Nd0.17Pr0.06Sm0.02Gd0.02Eu0.01Tb0.01Dy0.01)Σ1.04Zn1.92Fe0.06 Si8.00O24 Z = 2. The structural formula based on refined site-occupancies is (Na2.94Sr0.06)Σ3.00 [(Sr2.23Ca0.54Pb0.06Na0.13)Σ2.96 Ln 3+1.04]Σ4.00[(Zn1.92Fe2+0.06)Σ1.98Si8O24], where Ln 3+1.04 = (Ce0.55La0.19Nd0.17Pr0.06Sm0.02Gd0.02Eu0.01Tb0.01Dy0.01)Σ1.04. The crystal structure of rundqvistite-(Ce) was refined to R 1 = 2.76% on the basis of 3184 unique reflections [ F > 4σ| F |]. In rundqvistite-(Ce), the main structural unit is a (Zn2Si8O24)12– sheet parallel to (100). In the sheet, the Si and Zn tetrahedra form four-, five- and eight-membered rings. The interstitial cations at the Na and M (1–3) sites sum to [Na3(Sr3Ce)]12– apfu. The Na and M(1–3) polyhedra share common edges to form a layer. Rundqvistite-(Ce) is a structural analogue of vladykinite, ideally Na3Sr4(Fe2+Fe3+)Si8O24. Rundqvistite-(Ce) and vladykinite are related by the following substitution: [8]Ce3+ + [4](Zn2+)2 ↔ [8]Sr2+ + [4](Fe2+Fe3+). The mineral is named after Dmitry Vasilievich Rundqvist (1930–2022), a prominent Russian geologist and an expert on the geology of ore deposits, metallogeny and mineralogy of Precambrian rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new mineral, dioskouriite, CaCu4Cl6(OH)4∙4H2O, represented by two polytypes, monoclinic (2M) and orthorhombic (2O), which occur together, was found in moderately hot zones of two active fumaroles, Glavnaya Tenoritovaya and Arsenatnaya, at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. Dioskouriite seems to be a product of the interactions involving high-temperature sublimate minerals, fumarolic gas and atmospheric water vapor at temperatures not higher than 150 °C. It is associated with avdoninite, belloite, chlorothionite, eriochalcite, sylvite, halite, carnallite, mitscherlichite, chrysothallite, sanguite, romanorlovite, feodosiyite, mellizinkalite, flinteite, kainite, gypsum, sellaite and earlier hematite, tenorite and chalcocyanite in Glavnaya Tenoritovaya and with avdoninite and earlier hematite, tenorite, fluorophlogopite, diopside, clinoenstatite, sanidine, halite, aphthitalite-group sulfates, anhydrite, pseudobrookite, powellite and baryte in Arsenatnaya. Dioskouriite forms tabular, lamellar or flattened prismatic, typically sword-like crystals up to 0.01 mm × 0.04 mm × 0.1 mm combined in groups or crusts up to 1 × 2 mm2 in area. The mineral is transparent, bright green with vitreous luster. It is brittle; cleavage is distinct. The Mohs hardness is ca. 3. Dmeas is 2.75(1) and Dcalc is 2.765 for dioskouriite-2O and 2.820 g cm−3 for dioskouriite-2M. Dioskouriite-2O is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.695(4), β = 1.715(8), γ = 1.750(6) and 2Vmeas. = 70(10)°. The Raman spectrum is reported. The chemical composition (wt%, electron microprobe data, H2O calculated by total difference; dioskouriite-2O/dioskouriite-2M) is: K2O 0.03/0.21; MgO 0.08/0.47; CaO 8.99/8.60; CuO 49.24/49.06; Cl 32.53/32.66; H2O(calc.) 16.48/16.38; -O=Cl −7.35/−7.38; total 100/100. The empirical formulae based on 14 O + Cl apfu are: dioskouriite-2O: Ca1.04(Cu4.02Mg0.01)Σ4.03[Cl5.96(OH)3.90O0.14]Σ10∙4H2O; dioskouriite-2M: (Ca1.00K0.03)Σ4.03(Cu4.01Mg0.08)Σ4.09[Cl5.99(OH)3.83O0.18]Σ10∙4H2O. Dioskouriite-2M has the space group P21/c, a = 7.2792(8), b = 10.3000(7), c = 20.758(2) Å, β = 100.238(11)°, V = 1531.6(2) Å3 and Z = 4; dioskouriite-2O: P212121, a = 7.3193(7), b = 10.3710(10), c = 20.560(3) Å, V = 1560.6(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure (solved from single-crystal XRD data, R = 0.104 and 0.081 for dioskouriite-2M and -2O, respectively) is unique. The structures of both polytypes are based upon identical BAB layers parallel to (001) and composed from Cu2+-centered polyhedra. The core of each layer is formed by a sheet A of edge-sharing mixed-ligand octahedra centered by Cu(1), Cu(2), Cu(3), Cu(5) and Cu(6) atoms, whereas distorted Cu(4)(OH)2Cl3 tetragonal pyramids are attached to the A sheet on both sides, along with the Ca(OH)2(H2O)4Cl2 eight-cornered polyhedra, which provide the linkage of the two adjacent layers via long Ca−Cl bonds. The Cu(4) and Ca polyhedra form the B sheet. The difference between the 2M and 2O polytypes arises as a result of different stacking of layers along the c axis. The cation array of the layer corresponds to the capped kagomé lattice that is also observed in several other natural Cu hydroxychlorides: atacamite, clinoatacamite, bobkingite and avdoninite. The mineral is named after Dioskouri, the famous inseparable twin brothers of ancient Greek mythology, Castor and Polydeuces, the same in face but different in exercises and achievements; the name is given in allusion to the existence of two polytypes that are indistinguishable in appearance but different in symmetry, unit cell configuration and XRD pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine samples of carbonate-free sodalite-group minerals, including those with abnormally high contents of polysulfide groups, fluoride anion and carbon dioxide molecules as well as synthetic fluoraluminate sodalite-type compound Na8(Si7Al5O24)(AlF6)3–·5H2O, have been studied by means of electron microprobe analyses, infrared and Raman spectroscopy; the CO2 content was determined using the selective sorption of gaseous ignition products. This article describes a semi-quantitative method for estimating the content of carbon dioxide molecules in these minerals, based on IR spectroscopy data. The data obtained demonstrate the existence of a sulfide sodalite-group mineral with the idealized formula Na7(Si6Al6O24)(S3−)·H2O, which differs significantly from the formula Na6Ca2(Si6Al6O24)S2–2 accepted for lazurite. According to single-crystal X-ray structural analysis, in the F-rich sodalite-group mineral from the Eifel paleovolcanic region, Germany with the idealized formula Na7(Si6Al6O24)F−·nH2O fluorine occurs as an isolated F− anion, unlike synthetic F-rich sodalite-type compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new ludwigite-group mineral savelievaite, ideally Mg2Cr3+O2(BO3), was found in the chromitite body at the Malaya Kharamatalou river valley, Voikar–Syninskiy ultrabasic complex, Polar Urals, Russia. Savelievaite and Cr-enriched ludwigite occur in clinochlore veinlets and are associated with earlier magnesiochromite, spinel, chromite, pargasite, diopside, forsterite, serpentine, magnetite and pentlandite. Savelievaite forms prismatic, acicular or fibrous crystals up to 0.05 × 0.4 mm, usually assembled in radiating or chaotic clusters up to 1 × 1.5 mm across. It is opaque, black to greenish-black. The lustre is vitreous for prismatic crystals and silky for fibrous aggregates. D (calc.) = 3.91 g cm–3. Under the microscope in reflected light, savelievaite is grey, non-pleochroic, with weak bireflectance and anisotropism. The chemical composition (wt.%, EMPA, Fe2+:Fe3+ ratio by stoichiometry) is: MgO 34.88, FeO 10.83, NiO 0.36, B2O3 16.80, Al2O3 2.97, V2O3 0.21, Cr2O3 21.97, Fe2O3 12.40, TiO2 0.43, total 100.85. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 5 O apfu is (Mg1.72Fe2+0.30Ni0.01)Σ2.03(Cr3+0.57Fe3+0.31Al0.12Ti0.01V3+0.01)Σ1.02B0.96O5. Savelievaite is orthorhombic, space group Pbam , a = 9.2631(6), b = 12.2298(8), c = 3.0104(2) Å, V = 341.04(4) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [ d ,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 5.101(100)(120); 2.551(90)(240); 2.524(88)(201); 2.163(36)(250); and 2.033(55)(321). The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R 1 = 0.0405. Savelievaite is isostructural with ludwigite, Cr3+ is concentrated at the M 4 site. The mineral is named in honour of the Russian petrologist and geologist Dr. Galina Nikolaevna Savelieva (b. 1936). Ludwigite, ideally Mg2Fe3+O2(BO3), and savelievaite form a continuous isomorphous series in which Cr3+ content varies from 0 to 0.60 apfu. Occurrences of Cr-enriched (>1 wt.% Cr2O3) varieties of ludwigite are mainly related to ultrabasic complexes. The Cr-richest (>10 wt.% Cr2O3) ludwigite–savelievaite-series members are found in chromite ores at the Voikar–Syninskiy complex and Volchiegorskoe and Tatishchevskoe deposits, both in the South Urals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of the natural and synthetic phases allows an overview to be made and even an understanding of the crystal growth processes and mechanisms of the particular crystal structure formation. Thus, in this work, we review the crystal chemistry of the family of uranyl selenite compounds, paying special attention to the pathways of synthesis and topological analysis of the known crystal structures. Comparison of the isotypic natural and synthetic uranyl-bearing compounds suggests that uranyl selenite mineral formation requires heating, which most likely can be attributed to the radioactive decay. Structural complexity studies revealed that the majority of synthetic compounds have the topological symmetry of uranyl selenite building blocks equal to the structural symmetry, which means that the highest symmetry of uranyl complexes is preserved regardless of the interstitial filling of the structures. Whereas the real symmetry of U-Se complexes in the structures of minerals is lower than their topological symmetry, which means that interstitial cations and H2O molecules significantly affect the structural architecture of natural compounds. At the same time, structural complexity parameters for the whole structure are usually higher for the minerals than those for the synthetic compounds of a similar or close organization, which probably indicates the preferred existence of such natural-born architectures. In addition, the reexamination of the crystal structures of two uranyl selenite minerals guilleminite and demesmaekerite is reported. As a result of the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of demesmaekerite, Pb2Cu5[(UO2)2(SeO3)6(OH)6](H2O)2, the H atoms positions belonging to the interstitial H2O molecules were assigned. The refinement of the guilleminite crystal structure allowed the determination of an additional site arranged within the void of the interlayer space and occupied by an H2O molecule, which suggests the formula of guilleminite to be written as Ba[(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2](H2O)4 instead of Ba[(UO2)3(SeO3)2O2](H2O)3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new polymorphs of aluminosilicate paracelsian, BaAl2Si2O8, have been discovered using synchrotron-based in situ high-pressure single crystal X-ray diffraction. The first isosymmetric phase transition (from paracelsian-I to paracelsian-II) occurs between 3 and 6 GPa. The phase transition is associated with the formation of pentacoordinated Al3+ and Si4+ ions, which occurs in a stepwise fashion by sequential formation of Al-O and Si-O bonds additional to those in AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra, respectively. The next phase transition occurs between 25 and 28 GPa and is accompanied by the symmetry change from monoclinic (P21/c) to orthorhombic (Pna21). The structure of paracelsian-III consists of SiO6 octahedra, AlO6 octahedra and distorted AlO4 tetrahedra, i.e. the transition is reconstructive and associated with the changes of Si4+ and Al3+ coordination, which show rather complex behaviour with the general tendency towards increasing coordination numbers. The third phase transition is observed between 28 and 32 GPa and results in the symmetry decreasing from Pna21 to Pn. The transition has a displacive character. In the course of the phase transformation pathway up to 32 GPa, the structure of polymorphs becomes denser: paracelsian-II is based upon elements of cubic and hexagonal close-packing arrangements of large O2− and Ba2+ ions, whereas, in the crystal structure of paracelsian-III and IV, this arrangement corresponds to 9-layer closest-packing with the layer sequence ABACACBCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structure of paratooite-(La) has been solved using crystals from the type locality, Paratoo copper mine, near Yunta, Olary Province, South Australia, Australia. The mineral is orthorhombic, Pbam, a = 7.2250(3) Å, b = 12.7626(5) Å, c = 10.0559(4) Å, V = 927.25(6) Å3, and R1 = 0.063 for 1299 unique observed reflections. The crystal structure contains eight symmetrically independent cation sites. The La site, which accommodates rare earth elements (REEs), but also contains Sr and Ca, has a tenfold coordination by seven carbonate groups. The Ca, Na1, and Na2 sites are coordinated by eight, eight, and six O atoms, respectively, forming distorted CaO8 and Na1O8 cubes, and Na2O6 octahedra. The Cu site is occupied solely by copper and possess a distorted octahedral coordination with four short (1.941 Å) and two longer (2.676 Å) apical Cu–O bonds. There are three symmetrically independent carbonate groups (CO3)2− with the average bond lengths equal to 1.279, 1.280, and 1.279 Å for the C1, C2, and C3 sites, respectively. The crystal structure of paratooite-(La) can be described as a strongly distorted body-centered lattice formed by metal cations with (CO3)2− groups filling its interstices. According to the chemical and crystal-structure data, the crystal-chemical formula of paratooite-(La) can be described as (La0.74Ca0.11Sr0.07)4CuCa(Na0.75Ca0.15)(Na0.63)(CO3)8 or REE2.96Ca1.59Na1.38CuSr0.28(CO3)8. The idealized formula can be written as (La,Sr,Ca)4CuCa(Na,Ca)2(CO3)8. The structure of paratooite is a 1 × 2 × 2 superstructure of carbocernaite, CaSr(CO3)2. The superstructure arises due to the ordering of the chemically different Cu2+ cations, on one hand, and Na+ and Ca2+ cations, on the other hand. The formation of a superstructure due to the cation ordering in paratooite-(La) compared to carbocernaite results in the multiple increase of structural complexity per unit cell. Therefore, paratooite-(La) versus carbocernaite represents a good example of structural complexity increasing due to the increasing chemical complexity controlled by different electronic properties of mineral-forming chemical elements (transitional versus alkali and alkaline earth metals). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tsygankoite, ideally Mn8Tl8Hg2(Sb21Pb2Tl)Σ24S48, is a new sulfosalt discovered at the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit, Northern Urals, Russia. It occurs as lath-like elongated crystals up to 0.2 mm embedded in calcite–dolomite–clinochlore matrix. The associated minerals also include aktashite, alabandite, arsenopyrite, barite, cinnabar, fluorapatite, orpiment, pyrite, realgar, routhierite, sphalerite, tilasite, and titanite. The new mineral is non-fluorescent, black, and opaque with a metallic lustre and black streak. It is brittle with an uneven fracture and no obvious parting and cleavage. Its Vickers hardness (VHN10) is 144 kg/mm2 (range 131–167 kg/mm2) and its calculated density is 5.450 g·cm−3. In reflected light, tsygankoite is white; between crossed polars it is dark grey to black. It is strongly anisotropic: rotation tints vary from light grey to dark grey to black. Pleochroism and internal reflections are not observed. The chemical composition of tsygankoite (wt %, electron-microprobe data) is: Mn 6.29, Hg 5.42, Tl 26.05, Pb 5.84, As 3.39, Sb 30.89, S 21.87, total 99.75. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 90 atoms pfu, is: Mn8.06Tl8.00Hg1.90(Sb17.87As3.19Pb1.99Tl0.97)Σ24.02S48.03. Tsygankoite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 21.362(4) Å, b = 3.8579(10) Å, c = 27.135(4) Å, β = 106.944(14)°, V = 2139.19(17) Å3 and Z = 1. The five strongest diffraction peaks from X-ray powder pattern (listed as (d,Å(I)(hkl)) are: 3.587(100)(112), 3.353(70)(−114), 3.204(88)(405), 2.841(72)(−513), and 2.786(99)(−514). The crystal structure of tsygankoite was refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R = 0.0607 and consists of an alternation of two thick layer-like arrays, one based on PbS-archetype and the second on SnS-archetype. Tsygankoite has been approved by the IMA-CNMNC under the number 2017-088. It is named for Mikhail V. Tsyganko, a mineral collector from Severouralsk, Northern Urals, Russia, who collected the samples where the new mineral was discovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new mineral species, vorontsovite, ideally (Hg5Cu)TlAs4S12, and ferrovorontsovite, ideally (Fe5Cu)TlAs4S12, the Tl- and Tl–Fe-analogues of galkhaite, respectively, have been discovered at the Vorontsovskoe gold deposit, Northern Urals, Russia. They occur as anhedral grains up to 0.5 mm (vorontsovite) and 0.2 mm (ferrovorontsovite) embedded in a calcite-dolomite matrix. The chemical composition of vorontsovite (wt %) is: Hg 35.70, Fe 5.36, Zn 1.26, Cu 3.42, Ag 0.64, Tl 11.53, Cs 0.35, Pb 0.04, As 15.98, Sb 2.35, Te 0.41, S 22.70, Se 0.02, total 99.76. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 23 atoms pfu, is: [(Hg3.02Fe1.63Zn0.33)Σ4.98(Cu0.91Ag0.10)Σ1.01](Tl0.96Cs0.04)Σ1.00(As3.62Sb0.33Te0.05)Σ4.00S12.01. The composition of ferrovorontsovite (wt %) is: Hg 25.13, Fe 9.89, Zn 1.16, Cu 3.95, Ag 0.45, Tl 12.93, Cs 0.44, Pb 0.04, As 17.83, Sb 2.15, Te 0.40, S 24.91, total 99.28. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 23 atoms pfu, is: [(Fe2.74Hg1.94Zn0.27)Σ4.95(Cu0.96Ag0.06)Σ1.02](Tl0.98Cs0.05)Σ1.03(As3.68Sb0.27Te0.05)Σ4.00S12.00. Both minerals are cubic, space group I-43m, with a = 10.2956(6) Å, V = 1091.3(1) Å3, Z = 2 (vorontsovite); and a = 10.2390(7) Å, V = 1073.43(22) Å3, Z = 2 (ferrovorontsovite). The crystal structures of both minerals were refined to R = 0.0376 (vorontsovite) and R = 0.0576 (ferrovorontsovite). Vorontsovite and ferrovorontsovite have been approved by the IMA-CNMNC under the numbers 2016-076 and 2017-007, respectively. The first one is named after the type locality, but also honors the mining engineer Vladimir Vasilyevich Vorontsov. The second is named for its chemical composition, as the Fe-analogue of the first. Both species are isostructural with galkhaite, being its Tl- and Tl–Fe analogues, respectively, and forming altogether the galkhaite group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kalyuzhnyite-(Ce), ideally NaKCaSrCeTi(Si8O21)OF(H2O)3, is a new mineral from the Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tien-Shan mountains, Tajikistan. It occurs as equant grains up to 0.05 × 0.07 mm in a quartz–pectolite aggregate in a silexite-like peralkaline pegmatite. Associated minerals are quartz, fluorite, pectolite, baratovite, aegirine, leucosphenite, neptunite, reedmergnerite, orlovite, sokolovaite, mendeleevite-(Ce), odigitriaite, pekovite, zeravshanite, kirchhoffite and garmite. The mineral is colourless with a vitreous lustre and a white streak, and D calc. is 3.120 g/cm3. Kalyuzhnyite-(Ce) is monoclinic, P 2/ c , a = 18.647(4), b = 11.214(2), c = 14.642(3) Å, β = 129.55(3)° and V = 2360.9(11) Å3. The chemical composition of kalyuzhnyite-(Ce) is Nb2O5 0.53, TiO2 0.16, SiO2 43.85, Er2O3 0.13, Ho2O3 0.10, Gd2O3 0.09, Sm2O3 0.47, Nd2O3 6.22, Pr2O3 1.21, Ce2O3 6.34, La2O3 0.82, PbO 4.90, BaO 0.85, SrO 11.39, CaO 1.86, Cs2O 3.80, K2O 1.59, Na2O 2.99, H2O 5.24, F 1.55, O = F –0.65, total 100.31 wt.%. The empirical formula calculated on 26.11 (O + F) apfu is Na1.07K0.37Cs0.30Sr1.21Ca0.37Pb0.24Ba0.06(Ce0.43Nd0.41Pr0.08La0.06Sm0.03Gd0.01Er0.01Ho0.01)Σ1.04(Ti0.97Nb0.04)Σ1.01Si8.06O25.21F0.90H6.42, Z = 4. The simplified formula is (Na,□)(K,Сs)(Ca,Pb,Sr,Na)Sr Ln 3+Ti(Si8O21)OF(H2O)3, where Ce is the dominant lanthanoid. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R 1 index of 2.74%. In kalyuzhnyite-(Ce), the main structural units are a heteropolyhedral Na–Sr–Ce–Ti sheet, ideally [NaSrCeTiOF]7+, and a double (Si8O21)10– sheet parallel to (010). In the Si–O sheet, the Si tetrahedra form ten-membered rings. This is the first occurrence of such a double Si–O sheet in a mineral. The two sheets connect via common vertices of Na-, Sr-, Ce- and Ti-polyhedra and SiO4 tetrahedra to form a framework. The interstitial cations and H2O groups, ideally [(CaK)(H2O)3]3+, occur within the Si–O sheet. The mineral is named in honour of Vasily Avksentievich Kalyuzhny (1899–1993) in recognition of his contributions to the geology of ore deposits of Komi Republic (USSR) and the mineralogy of granitic pegmatites (Tajikistan). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesioleydetite (IMA2017-063), Mg(UO2)(SO4)2·11H2O, and straβmannite (IMA2017-086), Al(UO2)(SO4)2F·16H2O, are two new minerals from mines in Red Canyon, San Juan County, Utah, USA. Magnesioleydetite occurs in the Markey mine and straβmannite occurs in both the Markey and Green Lizard mines. Both minerals are secondary phases found in efflorescent crusts on the surfaces of mine walls. Magnesioleydetite occurs in irregular aggregates (to ~0.5 mm) of blades (to ~0.2 mm) exhibiting the following properties: transparent to translucent; pale green–yellow colour; vitreous lustre; white streak; non-fluorescent; brittle; Mohs hardness ≈ 2; irregular fracture; one perfect cleavage on {001}; and calculated density = 2.463 g/cm3. Straβmannite occurs in irregular aggregates (to ~0.5 mm) of equant crystals (to ~0.2 mm) exhibiting the following properties: transparent; light yellow–green colour; vitreous to greasy lustre; nearly white streak; bright greenish-blue fluorescence; somewhat brittle, Mohs hardness ≈ 1½; irregular fracture; one good cleavage on {001}; measured and calculated densities of 2.20(2) and 2.173 g/cm3, respectively; optically biaxial (–); α = 1.477(2), β = 1.485(2) and γ = 1.489(2) (white light); 2Vmeas. = 72(2)°; dispersion r > v (slight); orientation Y = b , X ∧ c = 20° (in obtuse β); pleochroism with X = nearly colourless, Y = pale green–yellow and Z = light green–yellow (X < Y < Z). The empirical formulas for magnesioleydetite and straβmannite are (Mg0.56Fe0.26Zn0.11Mn0.01)Σ0.94(U0.99O2)(S1.015O4)2·11H2O and Al1.00Na0.16(U0.99O2)(S1.00O4)2[F0.58(OH)0.42]·16H2O, respectively. Magnesioleydetite is monoclinic, C 2/ c , a = 11.3513(3), b = 7.7310(2), c = 21.7957(15) Å, β = 102.387(7)°, V = 1868.19(16) Å3 and Z = 4. Straβmannite is monoclinic, C 2/ c , a = 11.0187(5), b = 8.3284(3), c = 26.6727(19) Å, β = 97.426(7)°, V = 2427.2(2) and Z = 4. The structures of magnesioleydetite (R 1 = 0.016 for 2040 I > 2σ I reflections) and straβmannite (R 1 = 0.0343 for 2220 I > 2σ I reflections) each contain uranyl-sulfate sheets based on the protasite-anion topology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Letnikovite-(Ce), ideally (Na□)Ca2Ce2[Si7O17(OH)]F4(H2O)4, is a new mineral with no natural or synthetic analogues (IMA2022–132). The mineral occurs at the Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tien-Shan mountains, Tajikistan, in a silexite-like peralkaline pegmatite. Letnikovite-(Ce) occurs as isolated prismatic grains up to 0.03 × 0.1 mm in a quartz–pectolite aggregate. Associated minerals are quartz, fluorite, pectolite, baratovite, aegirine, leucosphenite, neptunite, reedmergnerite, orlovite, sokolovaite, mendeleevite-(Ce), odigitriaite, pekovite, zeravshanite, kirchhoffite and garmite. The mineral is colourless with a vitreous lustre and a white streak, and D calc. is 2.847 g/cm3. Letnikovite-(Ce) is monoclinic, C 2/ m , a = 7.4726(3), b = 22.9196(9), c = 13.9360(6) Å, β = 105.550(5)° and V = 2299.43(17) Å3. The chemical composition of letnikovite-(Ce) is SiO2 42.38, Gd2O3 0.16, Eu2O3 0.28, Sm2O3 0.07, Nd2O3 5.64, Pr2O3 1.69, Ce2O3 11.73, La2O3 2.24, PbO 1.22, SrO 5.77, FeO 0.32, CaO 11.87, MgO 1.14, Cs2O 0.57, K2O 0.65, Na2O 2.24, H2O 7.79, F 7.29, O = F –3.07, total 99.98 wt.%. The empirical formula calculated on 7 Si apfu is Na0.72K0.14Cs0.04Ca2.10Sr0.55Mg0.28Pb0.05Fe0.04(Ce0.71Nd0.33La0.14Pr0.10Eu0.02Gd0.01)Σ1.31Si7O21.84F3.81H8.58 for Z = 4. The structural formula is (Na0.72Ca0.16□1.12)Σ2(Cs0.04□0.96)Σ1(Ca1.83□0.17)Σ2(Mg0.28Fe0.04□0.68)Σ1(Ln 3+1.31Sr0.55Ca0.09Pb0.05)Σ2[Si7O17(OH)]F3.81(H2O)3.79, where Ln 3+1.31 = (Ce0.71Nd0.33La0.14Pr0.10Eu0.02Gd0.01)Σ1.31. The simplified formula is (Na,□)2Ca2(Ln 3+,Sr)2[Si7O17(OH)]F4(H2O)4, where Ce is the dominant lanthanoid. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R 1 index of 4.2%. In letnikovite-(Ce), the main structural unit is a layer which consists of the central heteropolyhedral Ca–Ce sheet and two adjacent single [Si7O17(OH)] sheets parallel to (001). In the Si–O–OH sheet, the Si tetrahedra form five-membered and ten-membered rings. This is the first occurrence of a single [Si7O17(OH)]7– sheet in a mineral. The layers connect via Na and Cs at the interstitial A (1,2) sites, H2O groups and hydrogen bonding. The mineral is named in honour of Felix Artem'evich Letnikov (born October 3rd,1934) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of petrology and geochemistry of Precambrian rocks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new mineral markeyite (IMA2016-090), Ca9(UO2)4(CO3)13·28H2O, was found in the Markey mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as a secondary phase on asphaltum in association with calcite, gypsum and natrozippeite. The mineral is pale yellowish-green with white streak and fluoresces bright bluish white under a 405 nm laser. Crystals are transparent and have vitreous to pearly lustre. It is brittle, with Mohs hardness 1½ to 2, irregular fracture and three cleavages: perfect on {001}; good on {100} and {010}. The measured density is 2.68 g cm–3. Crystals are blades, flattened on {001} and elongate on [010], exhibiting the forms {100}, {010}, {001}, {110}, {101}, {011} and {111}. Markeyite is optically biaxial (–) with α = 1.538(2), β = 1.542(2) and γ = 1.545(2) (white light); the measured 2V is 81(2)°; the dispersion is r < v (weak); the optical orientation is X = c , Y = b , Z = a ; and pleochroism is X = light greenish yellow, Y and Z = light yellow (X > Y ≈ Z). Electron microprobe analyses (energy-dispersive spectroscopy mode) yielded CaO 18.60, UO3 42.90, CO2 21.30 (calc.) and H2O 18.78 (calc.), total 101.58 wt.% and the empirical formula Ca8.91(U1.01O2)4(CO3)13·28H2O. The six strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [ d obs Å(I)(hkl)]: 10.12(69)(001), 6.41(91)(220,121), 5.43(100)(221), 5.07(33)(301,002,131), 4.104(37)(401,141) and 3.984(34)(222). Markeyite is orthorhombic, Pmmn , a = 17.9688(13), b = 18.4705(6), c = 10.1136(4) Å, V = 3356.6(3) Å3 and Z = 2. The structure of markeyite (R 1 = 0.0435 for 3427 F o > 4σ F) contains uranyl tricarbonate clusters (UTC) that are linked by Ca–O polyhedra forming thick corrugated heteropolyhedral layers. Included within the layers is an additional disordered CO3 group linking the Ca–O polyhedra. The layers are linked to one another and to interlayer H2O groups only via hydrogen bonds. The structure bears some similarities to that of liebigite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mathesiusite, K5(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5)(H2O)4, a new uranyl vanadate-sulfate mineral from Jáchymov, Western Bohemia, Czech Republic, occurs on fractures of gangue associated with adolfpateraite, schoepite, čejkaite, zippeite, gypsum, and a new unnamed K-UO2-SO4 mineral. It is a secondary mineral formed during post-mining processes. Mathesiusite is tetragonal, space group P4/n, with the unit-cell dimensions a = 14.9704(10), c = 6.8170(5) Å, V = 1527.78(18) ų, and Z = 2. Acicular aggregates of mathesiusite consist of prismatic crystals up to ~200 μm long and several micrometers thick. It is yellowish green with a greenish white streak and vitreous luster. The Mohs hardness is ~2. Mathesiusite is brittle with an uneven fracture and perfect cleavage on {110} and weaker on {001}. The calculated density based on the empirical formula is 4.02 g/cm3. Mathesiusite is colorless in fragments, uniaxial (-), with ω = 1.634(3) and ε = 1.597(3). Electron microprobe analyses (average of 7) provided: K2O 12.42, SO3 18.04, V2O5 4.30, UO3 61.46, H2O 3.90 (structure), total 100.12 (all in wt%). The empirical formula (based on 33 O atoms pfu) is: K4.87(U0.99O2)4(S1.04O4)4(V0.87O5)(H2O)4. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs in Å (hkl) Irel]: 10.64 (110) 76, 7.486 (200) 9, 6.856 (001) 100, 6.237 (101) 85, 4.742 (310) 37, 3.749 (400) 27, 3.296 (401) 9, and 2.9409 (510) 17. The crystal structure of mathesiusite was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R1 = 0.0520 for 795 reflections with I > 3σ(I). It contains topologically unique heteropolyhedral sheets based on [(UO2)4(SO4)4(VO5)]5- clusters. These clusters arise from linkages between corner-sharing quartets of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids, which define a square-shaped void at the center that is occupied by V5+ cations. Each pair of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids shares two vertices of SO4 tetrahedra. Each SO4 shares a third vertex with another cluster to form the sheets. The K+ cations are located between the sheets, together with a single H2O group. The corrugated sheets are stacked perpendicular to c. These heteropolyhedral sheets are similar to those in the structures of synthetic uranyl chromates. Raman spectral data are presented confirming the presence of UO22+, SO4, and molecular H2O. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new minerals klaprothite (IMA2015-087), Na6(UO2)(SO4)4(H2O)4, péligotite (IMA2015-088), Na6(UO2)(SO4)4(H2O)4 and ottohahnite (IMA2015-098), Na6(UO2)2(SO4)5(H2O)7·1.5H2O, were found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where they occur together as secondary phases. All three minerals occur as yellowish-green to greenish-yellow crystals, are brittle with irregular fracture, have Mohs hardness of ∼2½ and exhibit bright bluish-green fluorescence, and all are easily soluble in roomtemperature H2O. Only klaprothite exhibits cleavage; perfect on {100} and {001}. Quantitative energydispersive spectroscopy analyses yielded the empirical formulas Na6.01(U1.03O2)(S0.993O4)4(H2O)4, Na5.82(U1.02O2)(S1.003O4)4(H2O)4 and Na5.88(U0.99O2)2(S1.008O4)5(H2O)8.5 for klaprothite, péligotite and ottohahnite, respectively. Their Raman spectra exhibit similar features. Klaprothite is monoclinic, P21/c, a = 9.8271(4), b = 9.7452(3), c = 20.8725(15) Å, β = 98.743(7)°, V = 1975.66(17) Å3 and Z = 4. Péligotite is triclinic, P1, a = 9.81511(18), b = 9.9575(2), c = 10.6289(8) Å, α = 88.680(6)°, β = 73.990(5)°, γ = 89.205(6)°, V = 998.22(8) Å3 and Z = 2. Ottohahnite is triclinic, P1, a = 9.97562(19), b = 11.6741(2), c = 14.2903(10) Å, α = 113.518(8)°, β = 104.282(7)°, γ = 91.400(6)°, V = 1464.59(14) Å3 and Z = 2. The structures of klaprothite (R1 = 2.22%) and péligotite (R1 = 2.28%) both contain [(UO2)(SO4)4]6- clusters in which one SO4 group has a bidentate linkage with the UO7 polyhedron; Na-O polyhedra link clusters into thick heteropolyhedral layers and link layers into frameworks; the structures differ in the configuration of Na-O polyhedra that link the layers. The structure of ottohahnite (R1 = 2.65%) contains [(UO2)4(SO4)10]12- clusters in which each UO7 polyhedron has a bidentate linkage with one SO4 group; Na-O polyhedra link clusters into a thin heteropolyhedral slice and also link the slices into a framework. The minerals are named for Martin Heinrich Klaproth (1743-1817), Eugène-Melchior Péligot (1811-1890) and Otto Hahn (1879-1968). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new mineral shumwayite (IMA2015-058), [(UO2)(SO4)(H2O)2]2·H2O, was found in the Green Lizard and Giveaway-Simplot mines, White Canyon district, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase. At the Green Lizard mine, it is found in association with calcite, gypsum, plášilite, pyrite, rozenite and sulfur; at the Giveaway-Simplot mine, shumwayite is associated with rhomboclase and römerite. The mineral occurs as pale greenish-yellow monoclinic prisms, elongated on [100], up to ~0.3 mm long and commonly in subparallel to random intergrowths. The mineral is transparent with a vitreous lustre and has a white streak. It fluoresces bright greenish white under both longwave and shortwave ultraviolet radiation. The Mohs hardness is ∼2. Crystals are brittle with perfect {011} cleavage and irregular fracture. The mineral is slightly deliquescent and is easily soluble in room temperature H2O. The calculated density is 3.844 g cm-3. Optically, shumwayite is biaxial (+/-), with α = 1.581(1), β = 1.588(1), γ = 1.595(1) (measured in white light). The measured 2Vx based on extinction data collected on a spindle stage is 89.8(8)°; the calculated 2Vx is 89.6°. Dispersion is strong, but the sense is not defined because the optic sign is ambiguous. No pleochroism was observed. The optical orientation is X = b, Y ≈ c, Z ≈ a. Energy-dispersive spectrometer analyses (with H2O based on the crystal structure) yielded the empirical formula U2.01S1.99O12.00·5H2O. Shumwayite is monoclinic, P21/c a = 6.74747(15), b = 12.5026(3), c = 16.9032(12) Å, β = 90.919(6)°, V = 1425.79(11) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure (R1 = 1.88% for 2936 F > 4σF) contains UO7 pentagonal bipyramids and SO4 tetrahedra that link by corner-sharing to form [(UO2)(SO4)(H2O)2] chains along [100]. The chains and isolated H2O groups between them are linked together only by hydrogen bonds. The mineral is named in honour of the Shumway family, whose members account for the discovery and mining of hundreds of uranium deposits on the Colorado Plateau, including the Green Lizard mine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new minerals fermiite (IMA2014-068), Na4(UO2)(SO4)3·3H2O and oppenheimerite (IMA2014-073), Na2(UO2)(SO4)2·3H2O, were found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where they occur together as secondary alteration phases in association with blödite, bluelizardite, chalcanthite, epsomite, gypsum, hexahydrite, krohnkite, manganoblodite, sideronatrite, tamarugite and wetherillite. Fermiite descriptive details: pale greenish-yellow prisms; transparent; vitreous lustre; bright greenish- white fluorescence; white streak; hardness (Mohs) 2½; brittle; conchoidal fracture; no cleavage; slightly deliquescent; easily soluble in RT H2O; densitymeas = 3.23(2) g cm-3; densitycalc = 3.313 g cm-3. Optically, biaxial (+), α = 1.527(1), (β= 1.534(1), γ = 1.567(1) (white light); 2Vmeas = 51(1)°, 2Vcalc = 50°; dispersion r < v, distinct. Pleochroism: X, Y = colourless, Z = pale greenish yellow; X= Y < Z. Energy dispersive spectroscopic (EDS) analyses yielded the empirical formula Na3.88(U1.05O2)(S0.99O4)3(H2O)3. Fermiite is orthorhombic, Pmn21, a = 11.8407(12), b = 7.8695(5), c = 15.3255(19) Å, V= 1428.0(2) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure (R1 = 2.21% for 1951 Io > 3σl) contains [(UO2)(SO4)3] chains that are linked by bonds involving five different Na-O polyhedra to form a framework. The mineral is named for Italian-American theoretical and experimental physicist Dr. Enrico Fermi (1901-1954). Oppenheimerite descriptive details: pale greenish-yellow prisms; transparent; vitreous lustre; bright greenish-white fluorescence; white streak; hardness (Mohs) 2½; slightly sectile; three good cleavages, {11̅0}, {011} and {101}; irregular fracture; slightly deliquescent; easily soluble in RT H2O; densitycalc = 3.360 g cm-3. Optically, biaxial (+), α = 1.537(1), β = 1.555(1), y = 1.594(1) (white light); 2Vmeas. = 72(2)°, 2Vcalc = 70°; dispersion is r > v, moderate, inclined; optical orientation: X ≈ ⊥ {101}, Z ≈ [111̅]; pleochroism: X very pale greenish yellow, Y pale greenish yellow, Z greenish yellow; X < Y < Z. EDS analyses yielded the empirical formula Na1.94(U0.97O2)(S1.02O4)2(H2O)3. Oppenheimerite is triclinic, P1̅, a = 7.9576(6), 6 = 8.1952(6), c = 9.8051 (7) Å, α = 65.967(5)' β = 70.281 (5), y = 84.516(6)°, V= 549.10(8) Å3 and Z = 2. The structure (Rx = 3.07% for 2337 I0 > 3σI) contains [(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)] chains that are linked by bonds involving two different Na-O polyhedra to form a framework. The mineral is named for American theoretical physicist Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer (1904-1967). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Svornostite (IMA2014-078), K2Mg[(UO2)(SO4)2]2·8H2O, is a new uranyl sulfate mineral from Jáchymov, Western Bohemia, Czech Republic. The new mineral was found in material originating from the Geschieber vein in the Svornost mine. It occurs as crystalline crusts composed of yellow prismatic crystals on a gangue along with geschieberite, adolfpateraite and gypsum. It is a low-temperature, supergene mineral formed by the post-mining weathering of uraninite. Svornostite is orthorhombic, the space group Pmn21, with the unit-cell parameters a = 12.7850(3), b = 8.2683(4), c = 11.2163(3) Å, V = 1185.68(7) ų and Z = 2. Crystals are long prisms elongated on [001] and flattened on {100}. Crystals exhibit the forms {100}, {010} and {011}, usually forming multiple intergrowths. Svornostite is light yellow and has a very pale yellow streak. It exhibits a strong yellowish-green fluorescence under both long-wave and short-wave UV. It is translucent to transparent with strong vitreous luster. The mineral has a Mohs hardness ~2; it is brittle, with uneven fracture and a perfect cleavage, on {100} and {010}. The calculated density based on the empirical formula is 3.268 g/cm³. The mineral is optically biaxial (+), with α = 1.548(2), β = 1.556(3) and γ = 1.585(2) (measured at 590 nm). The 2V was not measured, calculated value is 56°. Birefringence is 0.037. No dispersion or pleochroism was observed. The optical orientation is Z = c. Chemical analysis (EDS, 6 spots) is K2O 7.93, MgO 3.11, CuO 0.79, SO3 28.13, UO3 48.94, H2O (calc.) 12.53, total 101.43 wt. %, which yields the empirical formula K1.94(Mg0.89Cu0.11)S1.00(U0.99O2)2(S1.01O4)4(H2O)8 (based on 28 O apfu). Prominent features in the Raman spectrum include the O-H stretching vibrations, symmetric stretching vibrations of (UO2)2+ ion, and stretching and bending vibrations of symmetrically non-equivalent SO4 groups. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å (Irel.) (hkl)]: 8.279(50)(010), 6.398(100)(200), 5.060(55)(210), 4.645(40)(012), 4.610(38)(211), 3.881(34)(021), 3.318(44)(221), 3.009(44)(213). The crystal structure of svornostite (R = 0.023 for 2745 reflections with Iobs > 3σ[I]) contains infinite uranyl sulfate chains of composition [(UO2)(SO4)2(H2O)]2- parallel to (001). The adjacent chains are linked through the Mg2+-octahedra linked to the apical O atoms of the SO4 groups with the chains and additionally by the K-O bonds and also H-bonds involving H2O molecules. The uranyl sulfate chains are the same as found in the structures of several others uranyl sulfate minerals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bluelizardite (IMA2013-062), Na7(UO2)(SO4)4Cl(H2O) 2, is a new uranyl sulfate mineral from the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah (USA). It was found in a sandstone matrix and is associated with chalcanthite, copiapite, ferrinatrite, gypsum, krohnkite, johannite, and several other new, unnamed Na- and Mg-containing uranyl sulfates. Bluelizardite is a supergene mineral formed by the post-mining weathering of uraninite. The mineral is monoclinic, Cllc, with a = 21.1507(6), b = 5.3469(12), c = 34.6711(9) Å, β = 104.913(3)°, V= 3788.91(17) ų and Z= 8. Crystals are blades up to 0.4 mm long, flattened on {001}, elongated parallel to [010] and exhibiting the forms {100}, {001} and {111}. Bluelizardite is pale yellow and has a yellowish-white streak. It has good cleavage on {001} and uneven fracture. The Mohs hardness is estimated at 2. The calculated density based on the empirical formula is 3.116 g/cm³. Bluelizardite exhibits bright yellow-green fluorescence under both long- and short-wave UV radiation. The mineral is optically biaxial (--), with α = 1.515(1), β = 1.540(1) and γ = 1.545(1) (measured with white light). The measured 2Fis 48(2)° and the calculated 2Kis 47.6°. The mineral does not exhibit any dispersion or pleochroism. The optical orientation is X= b, Y ≈ a, Z ≈ c*. The empirical formula of bluelizardite is Na6.94(U1.02O2)(SO4)4.00Cl0.94O0.06 (H2O) 2 (based on 21 anions pfu). The Raman spectrum is dominated by the symmetric stretching vibrations ofthe uranyl (UO22+) group and sulfate tetrahedra and by the O-H stretching and bending vibrations ofthe H2O molecules. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl) ]: 17.08(52)(002), 10.31(60)(200), 5.16(100)(mult.), 4.569(22)(402,-114), 4.238(23)(-115, 310, 008), 3.484(27)(-602,-604,-2-0-10), 3.353(28)(mult.), 3.186(36)(mult.). The crystal stmcture of bluelizardite (R1 = 0.016 for 4268 reflections with Iobs > 3σI) is topologically unique among known structures of uranyl minerals and inorganic compounds. It is based upon clusters of uranyl pentagonal bipyramids and sulfate tetrahedra. Two uranyl pentagonal bipyramids are linked through the two vertices of SO4 groups. The remaining three vertices of each UO7 bipyramid are occupied by SO4 groups, linked monodentately. The eight independent Na+ cations are linked through the Na-O bonds along with hydrogen bonds (involving H...O and H...Cl bonds) into a 3D framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maletoyvayamite, Au3Se4Te6, is a new mineral discovered in a heavy-mineral concentrate from the Gaching occurrence of the Maletoyvayam deposit, Kamchatka, Russia (60°19′51.87″N, 164°46′25.65″E). It forms anhedral grains (10 to 50 μm in size) and is found in intergrowths with native gold (Au–Ag), Au tellurides (calaverite), unnamed phases (AuSe, Au2TeSe and Au oxide), native tellurium, sulfosalts (tennantite, tetrahedrite, goldfieldite and watanabeite) and supergene tripuhyite. Maletoyvayamite has a good cleavage on {010} and {001}. In plane-polarised light, maletoyvayamite is grey, has strong bireflectance (grey to bluish grey), and strong anisotropy; it exhibits no internal reflections. Reflectance values for maletoyvayamite in air (R min, R max in %) are: 38.9, 39.1 at 470 nm; 39.3, 39.5 at 546 nm; 39.3, 39.6 at 589 nm; and 39.4, 39.7 at 650 nm. Sixteen electron-microprobe analyses of maletoyvayamite gave an average composition: Au 34.46, Se 16.76, Te 47.23 and S 0.84, total 99.29 wt.%, corresponding to the formula Au2.90(Se3.52S0.44)Σ3.96Te6.14 based on 13 atoms; the average of eleven analyses on synthetic analogue is: Au 34.20, Se 19.68 and Te 45.42, total 99.30 wt.%, corresponding to Au2.90Se4.16Te5.94. The calculated density is 7.98 g/cm3. The mineral is triclinic, space group P 1 , with a = 8.901(2), b = 9.0451(14), c = 9.265(4) Å, α = 97.66(3), β = 106.70(2), γ = 101.399(14)°, V = 685.9(4) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure of maletoyvayamite represents a unique structure type resembling a molecular structure. There are cube-like [Au6Se8Te12] clusters linked via van der Waals interactions. The structural identity of maletoyvayamite with the synthetic Au3Se4Te6 was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new mineral shilovite, the first natural tetrammine copper complex, was found in a guano deposit located on the Pabellón de Pica Mountain, near Chanabaya, Iquique Province, Tarapacá Region, Chile. It is associated with halite, ammineite, atacamite (a product of ammineite alteration) and thénardite. The gabbro host rock consists of amphibole, plagioclase and minor clinochlore, and contains accessory chalcopyrite. The latter is considered the source of Cu for shilovite. The new mineral occurs as deep violet blue, imperfect, thick tabular to equant crystals up to 0.15 mm in size included in massive halite. The mineral is sectile. Its Mohs hardness is 2. Dcalc is 1.92 g cm-3. The infrared spectrum shows the presence of NH3 molecules and NO3- anions. Shilovite is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.527(2), β = 1.545(5), γ = 1.610(2). The chemical composition (electron-microprobe data, H calculated from ideal formula, wt.%) is Cu 26.04, Fe 0.31, N 30.8, O 35.95, H 4.74, total 100.69. The empirical formula is H12.56(Cu1.09Fe0.01)N5.87O6.00. The idealized formula is Cu(NH3)4(NO3)2. The crystal structure was solved and refined to R = 0.029 based upon 2705 unique reflections having F > 4σ(F). Shilovite is orthorhombic, space group Pnn2, a = 23.6585(9), b = 10.8238(4), c = 6.9054(3) Å , V = 1768.3(1) Å3, Z = 8. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I,%) (hkl)] are: 5.931 (41) (400), 5.841 (100) (011), 5.208 (47) (410), 4.162 (88) (411), 4.005 (62) (420), 3.462 (50) (002), 3.207 (32) (031), 2.811 (40) (412). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new polymorphs of aluminosilicate paracelsian, BaAl2Si2O8, have been discovered using synchrotron-based in situ high-pressure single crystal X-ray diffraction. The first isosymmetric phase transition (from paracelsian-I to paracelsian-II) occurs between 3 and 6 GPa. The phase transition is associated with the formation of pentacoordinated Al3+ and Si4+ ions, which occurs in a stepwise fashion by sequential formation of Al-O and Si-O bonds additional to those in AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra, respectively. The next phase transition occurs between 25 and 28 GPa and is accompanied by the symmetry change from monoclinic (P21/c) to orthorhombic (Pna21). The structure of paracelsian-III consists of SiO6 octahedra, AlO6 octahedra and distorted AlO4 tetrahedra, i.e. the transition is reconstructive and associated with the changes of Si4+ and Al3+ coordination, which show rather complex behaviour with the general tendency towards increasing coordination numbers. The third phase transition is observed between 28 and 32 GPa and results in the symmetry decreasing from Pna21 to Pn. The transition has a displacive character. In the course of the phase transformation pathway up to 32 GPa, the structure of polymorphs becomes denser: paracelsian-II is based upon elements of cubic and hexagonal close-packing arrangements of large O2− and Ba2+ ions, whereas, in the crystal structure of paracelsian-III and IV, this arrangement corresponds to 9-layer closest-packing with the layer sequence ABACACBCB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]