Crystal structures along the join beryl–pezzottaite have been refined and their compositions determined by electron-microprobe analysis. All crystals show sharp uniform diffraction spots but are microscale mixtures of more than one structure. Three distinct phases were identified with different diffraction characteristics: (1) hexagonal (P6/mcc) Cs-rich beryl; (2) hexagonal–rhombohedral ($R\overline 3 c$) twinned pezzottaite; (3) incommensurate phases with cell dimensions resembling those of beryl with a doubled c-dimension and l indices deviating from integer values by ±0.05–0.10. Beryl (P6/mcc) structures refined to R1 indices from 2.36 to 2.91% and pezzottaite structures refined to R1 indices from 3.31 to 5.83%. In pezzottaite, the Cs1 and Cs2 sites are each occupied by Cs+, Rb+ and (H2O) with Cs+ showing a preference for Cs1; and the Na1 and Na2 sites are occupied by Na+ and Ca2+. Na+ bonds to one (H2O) group and (H2O) bonds to one Na+. The ordering of (Cs+ + Rb+) and (Na+ + Ca2+) in pezzottaite is driven by the incident bond-valence requirements of the anions coordinating the (LiO4) tetrahedron. The valence-sum rule is maintained through the (Cs+ + Rb+) + Li+ → □ + Be2+ variation in beryl by cooperative relaxation of bonds at the Si and Be tetrahedra, and in pezzottaite by cooperative relaxation of bonds at the Si, Al and Li tetrahedra. The valence-sum rule mandates that Na+ must bond to one channel (type-II) (H2O) group which, when combined with the constraint of electroneutrality, requires that compositions along the beryl–pezzottaite join must lie below the line (Cs+ + Rb+) + 2(Na+ + Ca2+) = 1 – 2Ca2+ apfu. The occurrence of an incommensurate phase at intermediate compositions is due to the interaction of the species in adjacent columns of the P6/mcc beryl structure.

Enricofrancoite (IMA2023–002), ideally KNaCaSi4O10, is a new litidionite-group member found as the product of high-temperature alteration of hosting silicates with the enrichment by Cu-bearing fluids at the rock–fumaroles interface related to the 1872 eruption of Somma–Vesuvius volcano, southern Italy. It occurs as euhedral and platy crystals or crusts together with litidionite, tridymite, wollastonite and Al- and Fe-bearing diopside, kamenevite, perovskite, rutile, Ti-rich magnetite and colourless Si-glass. Single crystals of enricofrancoite are transparent colourless or light blue with a vitreous lustre. Mohs hardness is 5.5. Dmeas is 2.63(3) g/cm3 and Dcalc is 2.63 g/cm3. The mineral is optically biaxial (−), α = 1.542(5), β = 1.567(5),γ = 1.575(5); 2V(meas) = 60(2)° and 2Vcalc = 58°. The mean chemical composition (wt.%, electron-microprobe data) is: SiO2 64.81, Al2O3 0.03, TiO2 0.08, FeO 0.07, MgO 1.71, CaO 10.64, CuO 2.22, Na2O 8.56, K2O 11.41, total 99.94. The empirical formula based on 10 O apfu is: K0.90Na1.03(Ca0.71Mg0.16Cu0.10)Σ0.97Si4.02O10. The Raman spectrum contains bands at 133, 248, 265, 290, 335, 400, 438, 510, 600, 690 and 1120 cm–1 and the wavenumbers of the IR absorption bands are: 424, 470, 492, 530, 600, 630, 690, 750, 788, 970, 1040 and 1160 cm–1. The eight strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I, %) hkl]: 6.75 (42) 01$\bar{1}$, 3.65 (20) 11$\bar{2}$, 3.370 (100) 02$\bar{2}$, 3.210 (52) 102, 3.051 (18) 111, 3.033 (25) 2$\bar{1}\bar{2}$, 2.834 (22) 02$\bar{3}$ and 2.411 (72) 03$\bar{2}$. Enricofrancoite is triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$, unit-cell parameters refined from the single-crystal data are a = 7.0155(4) Å, b = 8.0721(4) Å, c = 10.0275(4) Å, α = 104.420(4)°, β = 99.764(4)°, γ = 115.126(5)° and V = 472.74(5) Å3. The crystal structure has been refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R1 = 0.035 on the basis of 2078 independent reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). Enricofrancoite is an H2O-free analogue of calcinaksite with 5-coordinated Ca2+ at the M site.

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, Dmeas. is 3.70(2) and Dcalc. is 3.709 g/cm3. Rundqvistite-(Ce) is monoclinic, space group P21/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)Σ2.96Ln3+1.04]Σ4.00[(Zn1.92Fe2+0.06)Σ1.98Si8O24], where Ln3+1.04 = (Ce0.55La0.19Nd0.17Pr0.06Sm0.02Gd0.02Eu0.01Tb0.01Dy0.01)Σ1.04. The crystal structure of rundqvistite-(Ce) was refined to R1 = 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.

An attempt to compare and describe the differences in the electron density distribution between two phase structures of AlOOH has been made. High-resolution, high-pressure experiments with α-AlOOH diaspore were conducted using single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction data. A multipole model of experimental electron density in the α-AlOOH single crystal was refined. Simultaneously, similar multipole refinement was conducted for another phase of diaspore (δ-AlOOH), this time based on a previously published data set. Both results were compared and supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Although the results are affected by the limited quality of the data, it is clear that the phase transition caused significant changes in the shape and arrangement of the atomic basins.

Atomic basins are a much better tool to present subtle electron density distribution changes than traditional polyhedra. Straightforward comparison of datasets available in older scientific papers and current datasets is challenging because of differences in data quality and collection parameters. However, augmenting experimental data with computational results can help reveal important information in even incomplete datasets.

A rounded fragment of a multicoloured tourmaline crystal (2.5 cm diameter), collected from the secondary gem deposit of Mavuco, Alto Ligoña pegmatite district, Mozambique, has been investigated using a multi-analytical approach, with the objective of reconstructing its growth history. The sample represents a core-to-rim section, perpendicular to the c axis, of a crystal characterised by a variety of colours. These change from a black core to an intermediate zone with a series of colours, yellow, blue–green and purple, to a final dark-green prismatic overgrowth. These changes are the result of a wide variation in Fe, Mn, Ti and Cu concentrations and their redox state. The black core is characterised by enrichment in Fe and Mn, with iron present in its divalent state. The yellow zone shows a progressive depletion in Fe and its colouration is caused by Mn2+ and Mn2+-Ti4+ IVCT interactions. The progressive decrease in Mn coupled with the absence of Ti, and the lack of Fe, implies that Cu2+ acts as the only chromophore in the pale blue–green zone. The dominant colour-causing agent of the purplish zone is Mn3+, denoting a change in redox environment; however, even though the amount of Cu remains significant, its chromophore effect is obscured by Mn3+. The dark-green prismatic overgrowth, characterised by a sharp increase in Fe, Mn and also Ca, is interpreted as a late-stage partial re-opening of the geochemical system. This occurrence could potentially be related to mechanical instability of the cavity in which the crystal grew.

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 R1 = 0.0405. Savelievaite is isostructural with ludwigite, Cr3+ is concentrated at the M4 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.

The high-temperature behaviour of a feldspar-group mineral, filatovite (with the simplified formula: K(Al,Zn)2(As,Si)2O8), in which the Al:As:Si ratio is close to 2:1:1), was studied by in situ high-temperature single-crystal X-ray diffraction and in situ high-temperature (hot stage) Raman spectroscopy up to 600°C. In the temperature range studied (25–600°С) filatovite does not undergo any phase transition, whereas at 800°C it decomposes to X-ray amorphous phase(s). The evolution of 12 main Raman bands was traced during heating, which indicates a gradual change in the crystal structure. The thermal expansion coefficients of filatovite demonstrate a sharply anisotropic character of thermal expansion: the maximal expansion is close to the a axis (α11 = 17.7(1) × 10–6 °C–1), whereas along the b and c axes the thermal expansion coefficients are close to zero. Such behaviour is typical for minerals with a similar crystal structure topology; it indicates the dominant role of structure geometry in the thermal behaviour of the mineral.

A new mineral species, guangyuanite, ideally Pb3Cl3(Se4+O3)(OH), was discovered from the El Dragón mine, Antonio Quijarro Province, Potosí Department, Bolivia. It occurs as equant crystals. Associated minerals are Co-bearing krut'aite–penroseite, chalcomenite, schmiederite, olsacherite, phosgenite, anglesite, cerussite and franksousaite. Guangyuanite is pale yellow–brown in transmitted light, transparent with white streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle and has a Mohs hardness of ~3. No parting or cleavage was observed. The calculated density is 7.63 g/cm3. An electron microprobe analysis yielded an empirical formula [based on 7 (O + Cl) atoms per formula unit] of Pb3.02Cl3.01(Se4+0.99O3)(OH), which can be simplified to Pb3Cl3(Se4+O3)(OH).

Guangyuanite is isostructural with synthetic Pb3Br3(Se4+O3)(OH). It is orthorhombic, with space group Pnma and unit-cell parameters a = 11.0003(5), b = 10.6460(5), c = 7.7902 Å, V = 912.31(6) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure of guangyuanite contains two symmetrically-distinct Pb (Pb1 and Pb2) cations, with Pb1 coordinated by eight anions (4O + 4Cl) and Pb2 only by six anions (3O + 3Cl), forming a marked lopsided coordination typical of Pb2+ with a stereochemically active 6s2 lone electron pair. The Se4+ cation forms a typical [Se4+O3] trigonal pyramid. The crystal structure of guangyuanite can be described as consisting of layers of edge-sharing [Pb1O4Cl4] polyhedra parallel to (100). These layers are linked together by sharing polyhedral corners (Cl atoms), as well as [Pb2O3Cl3] and [Se4+O3] groups. Chemically, guangyuanite is one of six lead chloride selenite minerals reported thus far and closely related to orlandiite Pb3Cl4(Se4+O3)⋅H2O.

A Microsoft® Visual Basic software, WinClbclas, has been developed to calculate the chemical formulae of columbite-supergroup minerals based on data obtained from wet-chemical and electron-microprobe analyses and using the current nomenclature scheme adopted by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA) for columbite-supergroup minerals. The program evaluates 36 IMA-approved species, three questionable in terms of their unit-cell parameters, four insufficiently studied questionable species and one ungrouped species, all according to the dominant valance and constituent status in five mineral groups including ixiolite (MO2), wolframite (M1M2O4), samarskite (ABM2O8), columbite (M1M2O6) and wodginite (M1M2M32O8). Mineral compositions of the columbite supergroup are calculated on the basis of 24 oxygen atoms per formula unit. However, the formulae of the five ixiolite to wodginite groups can be estimated by the program on the basis of their cation and anion values in their typical mineral formulae (e.g. 4 cations and 8 oxygens for the wodginite group) with normalisation procedures. The Fe3+ and Fe2+ contents from microprobe-derived total FeO (wt.%) amounts are estimated by stoichiometric constraints. WinClbclas allows users to: (1) enter up to 47 input variables for mineral compositions; (2) type and load multiple columbite-supergroup mineral compositions in the data entry section; (3) edit and load the Microsoft® Excel files used in calculating, classifying, and naming the columbite-supergroup minerals, together with the total monovalent to hexavalent ion; and (4) store all the calculated parameters in the output of a Microsoft® Excel file for further data evaluation. The program is distributed as a self-extracting setup file, including the necessary support files used by the program, a help file and representative sample data files.

Plumbogaidonnayite, ideally PbZrSi3O9⋅2H2O, is a new gaidonnayite-group mineral discovered as a secondary product derived from the alteration of eudialyte from the Saima alkaline complex, China. It occurs as aggregates (up to 1 mm) composed of subhedral to anhedral or platy crystals (individually 5–50 μm), associated closely with microcline, natrolite, aegirine, gaidonnayite, georgechaoite, zircon, bobtraillite and britholite-(Ce) in eudialyte pseudomorphs. The crystals are transparent, colourless or light brown with a vitreous lustre. Plumbogaidonnayite is brittle with conchoidal fracture, and it has a Mohs hardness of ~5 and a calculated density of 3.264 g/cm3. It is optically biaxial (+) with α = 1.61(3), β = 1.63(3) and γ = 1.66(4). The calculated 2V is 80°, with the optical orientations X, Y and Z parallel to the crystallographic a, b and c axes, respectively. The empirical formula is (Pb0.70Ca0.17Ba0.01K0.11Na0.01Y0.01)Σ1.01(Zr1.00Hf0.01Ti0.01)Σ1.02Si3.01O9⋅2H2O calculated on the basis of nine oxygen atoms per formula unit and assuming the occurrence of two H2O groups. Plumbogaidonnayite is orthorhombic, P21nb, a = 11.7690(4) Å, b = 12.9867(3) Å, c = 6.66165(16) Å, V = 1018.17(5) Å3 and Z = 4. The nine strongest lines of its powder XRD pattern [d in Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 6.489 (36) (020), 5.803 (100) (101), 4.661 (27) (021), 4.336 (29) (121), 3.640 (30) (221), 3.114 (79) (112), 2.947 (27) (400), 2.622 (27) (241) and 2.493 (27) (312). Plumbogaidonnayite has a similar spiral chain framework structure with gaidonnayite and georgechaoite, which is composed of SiO4 tetrahedra and ZrO6 octahedra, but with disordered extra-framework sites (cations and H2O groups) characterised by the substitution of 2Na+ (K+)→Pb2+ (Ca2+) + □ (vacancy). The discovery of plumbogaidonnayite adds a new perspective on the cation ordering and heterovalent substitution mechanism in gaidonnayite-group minerals.

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. Dcalc = 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, P21/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.

Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La), the OH- and La-dominant member of the bastnäsite group, in fact known for many years, was studied in detail and has been approved by the IMA–CNMNC as a new mineral species with the ideal, end-member formula La(CO3)(OH). The holotype originates from the Vuoriyarvi (another spelling: Vuorijärvi) alkaline-ultrabasic complex, Northern Karelia, and the cotype from the Mochalin Log REE deposit, Potaniny Mts, South Urals, both in Russia. At Vuoriyarvi, hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) occurs as clusters (up to 1 mm) of light brown, honey-yellow or colourless hexagonal tabular to short-prismatic crystals up to 0.15 mm associated with fluorite and ancylite-(Ce) in cavities of calcite–dolomite carbonatites. At Mochalin Log, hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) forms light brown grains up to 0.2 mm included in massive aggregates of other LREE minerals: bastnäsite-(Ce), bastnäsite-(La), percleveite-(Ce), percleveite-(La), biraite-(Ce), biraite-(La), törnebohmite-(La), ferriperbøeite-(Ce), allanite-(Ce), etc. Dmeas is 4.75(2) and Dcalc is 4.778 g cm–3 (holotype). Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) is optically uniaxial (+), ω = 1.76(1) and ε = 1.86(1) (holotype). The chemical composition (wt.%, electron microprobe, CO2 and H2O calculated: holotype/cotype) is: CaO 0.23/0.00, SrO 0.07/0.00, La2O3 39.47/39.58, Ce2O3 33.51/31.99, Pr2O3 1.03/1.51, Nd2O3 1.95/2.38, F 0.76/3.33, CO2 20.49/20.34, H2O 3.77/2.58, –O=F 0.32/1.40, total 100.96/100.31. The empirical formulae, calculated based on the sum of metal cations of 1 apfu and one CO3 group pfu, are (La0.52Ce0.44Nd0.02Pr0.01Ca0.01)Σ1.00(CO3)[(OH)0.90F0.09]Σ0.99 (holotype) and (La0.53Ce0.42Nd0.03Pr0.02)Σ1.00(CO3)[(OH)0.62F0.38]Σ1.00 (cotype). Hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) is hexagonal, P6̅, unit-cell parameters (from powder XRD data, holotype/cotype) are: a = 12.537(3)/12.533(1), c = 9.968(2)/9.908(1) Å, V = 1356.8(5)/1347.9(3) Å3 and Z = 18. Strong reflections of the powder XRD pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are (holotype): 4.98(39)(002), 3.616(88)(300), 2.926(100)(302), 2.089(41)(330), 2.052(46)(304) and 1.927(40)(332). The crystal structure of holotype hydroxylbastnäsite-(La) was refined by the Rietveld method, Rwp = 0.0071, Rp = 0.0050, Robs = 0.0466. It is isostructural to hydroxylbastnäsite-(Ce) and synthetic bastnäsite-type hydroxyl-carbonates REE3+(CO3)(OH) (REE = La–Er), but differs from fluorine-dominant bastnäsites which adopt the space group P6̅2c.

Hakite-(Cd), hakite-(Fe) and hakite-(Zn) are new minerals belonging to the tetrahedrite group and forming, along with hakite-(Hg), the hakite series. They have been discovered in samples collected from the Bytíz deposit, in the uranium and base-metal Příbram ore district, Central Bohemia, Czech Republic. They occur as anhedral grains, up to 300 μm in size, in a calcite gangue, associated with clausthalite, cadmoselite, hakite-(Hg) [for hakite-(Cd)], berzelianite, bukovite, bytízite, crookesite, chaméanite, eskebornite, příbramite, the not yet approved giraudite-(Hg) and giraudite-(Cu), hakite-(Hg), umangite, chalcopyrite, tetrahedrite-(Zn) and a new Cu–As selenide [for hakite-(Fe) and -(Zn)]. The three new species are black, with a metallic lustre. Mohs hardness is ca. 3½–4; calculated density is 6.019 (Hak-Cd), 6.011 (Hak-Fe) and 6.081 g.cm–3 (Hak-Zn). In reflected light, they are isotropic, pale grey with bluish (Hak-Cd) or brownish (Hak-Fe and Hak-Zn) shades. Empirical formulae of hakite-(Cd), hakite-(Fe), and hakite-(Zn) are Cu9.71Ag0.24Cd1.51Hg0.43Zn0.03(Sb3.94As0.13)Σ4.07Se11.35S1.57, Cu10.11Ag0.18Fe0.81Zn0.50Hg0.26(Sb3.72As0.41)Σ4.13Se12.65S0.12, and Cu10.03Ag0.24Zn0.61Fe0.53Hg0.45(Sb3.55As0.60)Σ4.15Se12.82S0.08, respectively. These formulae correspond to the end-member formulae Cu6(Cu4Cd2)Sb4Se13 (Hak-Cd), Cu6(Cu4Fe2)Sb4Se13 (Hak-Fe), and Cu6(Cu4Zn2)Sb4Se13 (Hak-Zn). All these new members of the hakite series are cubic, I$\bar{4}$3m, Z = 2, with unit-cell parameters a = 10.8860(6) Å, V = 1290.0(2) Å3 (Hak-Cd); a = 10.7983(4) Å, V = 1259.12(14) Å3 (Hak-Fe); and a = 10.8116(14) Å, V = 1263.8(5) Å3 (Hak-Zn). These species are isotypic with the other members of the tetrahedrite group, and their crystal structures have been refined on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data down to R1 values of 0.0230 (Hak-Cd), 0.0254 (Hak-Fe), and 0.0302 (Hak-Zn). These structural data allow us to describe the S-to-Se partitioning in hakite-series minerals and to understand the mechanisms avoiding too short Me–Se distances in these selenides.

Ebnerite and epiebnerite, both with the ideal formula NH4ZnPO4, are new mineral species from the Rowley mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. They occur in an unusual bat-guano-related, post-mining assemblage of phases. Epiebnerite grows epitactically on ebnerite and replaces it. Ebnerite and epiebnerite are found in intimate association with alunite, halite, mimetite, newberyite, sampleite, struvite and wulfenite on hematite-rich quartz–baryte matrix. Crystals of ebnerite are colourless narrow prisms up to ~0.3 mm in length. The streak is white, lustre is vitreous, Mohs hardness is ~2, tenacity is brittle and fracture is splintery. The density is 2.78(2) g⋅cm–3. Ebnerite is optically uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.585(2) and ɛ = 1.575(2). Epiebnerite occurs as colourless prisms or blades, up to about 10 × 3 × 2 μm, in parallel growth forming ribs with serrated edges epitactic on ebnerite prisms. The streak is white, lustre is vitreous, Mohs hardness is probably ~2, tenacity is brittle. The calculated density is 2.851 g⋅cm–3. Epiebnerite is optically biaxial with all indices of refraction near 1.580. Electron microprobe analysis gave the empirical formula [(NH4)0.89K0.06]Σ0.95(Zn0.96Cu0.07)Σ1.03[(P0.97Si0.03)Σ1.00O4] for ebnerite and [(NH4)0.67K0.28]Σ0.95(Zn0.99Cu0.02)Σ1.02(P1.00O4) for epiebnerite. Ebnerite is hexagonal, P63, with a = 10.67051(16), c = 8.7140(2) Å, V = 859.25(3) Å3 and Z = 8. Epiebnerite is monoclinic, P21, with a = 8.796(16), b = 5.457(16), c = 8.960(16) Å, β = 90.34(6)°, V = 430.1(17) Å3 and Z = 4. The structures of ebnerite (R1 = 0.0372 for 1168 Io > 2σI reflections) and epiebnerite (known from synthetic monoclinic NH4ZnPO4) are zeolite-like frameworks based upon corner-sharing linkages between alternating ZnO4 and PO4 tetrahedra with channels in the frameworks hosting the NH4 groups. The two structures are topologically distinct. Ebnerite belongs to the family of ‘stuffed derivatives’ of tridymite, whereas epiebnerite possesses an ABW-type zeolite structure.

This work presents data for the mineral assemblages, composition and Raman spectroscopy of proximal secondary Be and associated minerals in pseudomorphs after beryl from granitic pegmatites located along the contacts of major regional geological units. The pegmatites differ in their position relative to the ductile to brittle shear zones within the Rožná-Olší ore field (U-deposit), Czech Republic. Extensive dissolution of beryl crystals in the beryl–columbite pegmatites Drahonín IV and Věžná I situated within or close to the shear zones is evident in contrast to minor alteration of beryl in the Dolní Rožínka and Kovářová pegmatites located outside of the shear zones. Near-total replacement of beryl crystals, up to 40 cm in length, from the Drahonín IV pegmatite, located in the Olší shear zone formed the following secondary Be minerals in order of their abundance: bavenite–bohseite > bertrandite ≫ milarite > hydroxylgugiaite. This assemblage is also characterised by the presence of sulfides (pyrite, galena, sphalerite) and zeolites. Such an extensive replacement process required a substantial fluid flow and is very possibly related to the pre-uranium quartz–sulfide and carbonate–sulfide mineralisation events within the Rožná-Olší ore field. Alteration products resulting from breakdown of beryl in the Věžná I pegmatite follow the sequential substages (bertrandite + K-feldspar ± harmotome → epididymite + K-feldspar → hydroxylgugiaite + K-feldspar) and locally show cross-cutting textures. These assemblages were generated by post-magmatic residual fluids (early assemblage bertrandite + K-feldspar) as well as fluids related to a retrograde stage of metamorphism, compositionally contrasting with the host serpentinite, and perhaps also hydrothermal processes associated with the Olší shear zone. The pegmatites Dolní Rožínka and Kovářová, located outside of the shear zones, exhibit only a low degree of alteration and have differing textural and paragenetic development. Highly variable assemblages of secondary minerals after beryl are excellent mineral indicators of hydrothermal overprinting in granitic pegmatites during a variety of subsolidus processes.

Xenotime-(Gd), ideally GdPO4, is a new mineral of the xenotime group. It was discovered at the Zimná Voda REE–U–Au occurrence near Prakovce, Western Carpathians, Slovakia. It forms rare crystal domains (≤20 μm, usually ≤10 μm in size) in Gd-rich xenotime-(Y) crystals (≤100 μm in size), in association with monazite-group minerals, uraninite, fluorapatite and uranyl arsenates–phosphates. The hydrothermal REE–U–Au mineralisation occurs in a quartz–muscovite vein, hosted in Palaeozoic phyllites near exocontact with Permian granites. The density is 5.26 g/cm3, based on calculated average empirical formula and unit-cell parameters. The average chemical composition (n = 6) measured by electron microprobe is as follows (wt.%): P2O5 30.1, As2O5 0.5, SiO2 0.2, UO2 0.3, Y2O3 15.7, (La, Ce, Pr, Nd)2O3 0.5, Sm2O3 5.7, Eu2O3 1.4, Gd2O3 29.2, Tb2O3 3.9, Dy2O3 10.4, Ho2O3 0.4, (Er, Tm, Yb, Lu)2O3 2.1, (Ca, Fe, Pb, Mn, Ba)O 0.1, total 100.5. The corresponding empirical formula calculated on the basis of 4 oxygen atoms is: (Gd0.37Y0.32Dy0.13Sm0.08Tb0.05Eu0.02Er0.01Tm0.01Nd0.01…)Σ1.01(P0.98As0.01Si0.01)O4. The empirical formula of the Gd-richest composition is: (Gd0.38Y0.31Dy0.13Sm0.08Tb0.05Eu0.02Er0.01Nd0.01Ho0.01…)Σ1.01(P0.98As0.01Si0.01)O4. The ideal formula is GdPO4. The xenotime-type structure has been confirmed by micro-Raman spectroscopy and a Fast Fourier-Transform pattern using HRTEM. Xenotime-(Gd) is tetragonal, space group I41/amd, a = 6.9589(5) Å, c = 6.0518(6) Å, V = 293.07(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The new mineral is named as an analogue of xenotime-(Y) and xenotime-(Yb) with Gd dominant among the REE. The middle REE enrichment of xenotime-(Gd) is shared with the associated monazite-(Gd) and Gd-rich hingganite-(Y). This exotic REE signature and precipitation of Gd-bearing minerals is a product of selective complexing and enrichment in MREE in low-temperature hydrothermal fluids by alteration of uraninite, brannerite and fluorapatite on a micro-scale. The existence of xenotime-(Gd) and monazite-(Gd) is the first naturally documented dimorphism among REE phosphates. In addition, xenotime-(Gd) is only the third approved Gd-dominant mineral, after lepersonnite-(Gd) and monazite-(Gd).

Gorerite, ideally CaAlFe11O19 is a new mineral and M-type hexaferrite of the magnetoplumbite group. It was found in ferrite-rich segregations of esseneite–gehlenite–wollastonite–anorthite melted rock of the ‘olive’ subunit of pyrometamorphic rocks located near Hatrurim Junction in the Negev Desert, Israel. Within these ferrite-rich segregations up to 100 μm in size, platy crystals of gorerite up to 50 μm in size intergrow with hibonite, hematite, maghemite, magnesioferrite, dorrite, barioferrite and andradite, forming aggregates. Additionally, small crystals of gorerite occur within magnesioferrite. Importantly, gorerite did not crystallise directly from the melt. Instead, it emerged through a reaction involving earlier crystallised hibonite and an iron-enriched melt, resulting in the partial or complete replacement of hibonite by gorerite. Gorerite appears grey in the reflected light (R = 18–23%), displaying distinct bireflectance: dark-grey perpendicular to Z and light-grey parallel to Z. Its Raman spectrum exhibits only one strong band at 700 cm–1, which shifts to higher frequencies with increasing Al content. Gorerite crystallises in the P63/mmc space group, with lattice parameters a = 5.8532(4) Å, c = 22.7730(2) Å and V = 675.67(7) Å3 with Z = 2. It exhibits a structure characterised by an intercalation of triple spinel-like S blocks and rock-salt type R blocks along the hexagonal c-axis.

Natromelansonite, Na3Zr[Si7AlO19]⋅4–5H2O, was found at the Poudrette (Demix) quarry, Mont Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada in a highly altered pegmatite together with a clay mineral, steacyite, polylithionite and rhodochrosite. It occurs as an outer zone of tabular crystals to 0.1 × 0.3 × 1 mm in size flattened on (001). The inner zone is made of melansonite. The mineral is grey with white powder colour and vitreous lustre. The cleavage is parallel to {010}, perfect. The Mohs hardness is 3.5. The mineral has green fluorescence under short-wave ultraviolet light. The Dcalc is 2.31 g/cm3. The infrared spectrum is reported. The composition (wt.%, average of 8 analyses) is Na2O 10.08, K2O 1.72, CaO 0.24, BaO 0.32, MnO 0.10, Al2O3 6.86, Y2O3 0.35, Yb2O3 0.55, SiO2 56.23, ZrO2 14.78, H2O 9.52, total 100.75. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of O = 23 apfu and H = 8 apfu is Na(□Na0.38Ca0.02Mn0.01)2(Na0.70K0.28Ba0.02)Σ1.00(Zr0.91Y0.02Yb0.02)Σ0.95(Si7.08Al1.02)Σ8.10O19⋅4H2O. The mineral is monoclinic, P21/m, a = 6.5156(3) Å, b = 24.061(1) Å, c = 6.9759(6) Å, β = 90.453(5)° and V = 1093.61(9) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 12.02(100)(020), 6.97(89)(001), 6.51(39)(100), 3.416(37)(160), 3.062(42)($\bar{1}$61, 102, 161 and $\bar{1}$12), 3.018(38)(230 and 042), 2.864(40)(240 and 132). The crystal structure, solved and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R1 = 0.042), is based on a double sheet of tetrahedra (T) and a sheet of octahedra (O) that alternate along the [010] direction forming a TOT structure typical for members of the rhodesite mero-plesiotype series.