Boscardinite, ideally TlPb4(Sb7As2)∑9S18, has been described recently as a new homeotypic derivative of baumhauerite, found at Monte Arsiccio mine, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. New findings of boscardinite in different mineral associations of this deposit have allowed the collection of new crystal-chemical data. Electron-microprobe analysis of the crystal used for the single-crystal X-ray diffraction study gave (in wt.%): Ag 1.81(5), Tl 12.60(21), Pb 17.99(12), Hg 0.14(5), As 9.36(12), Sb 33.60(27), S 23.41(30),Cl 0.06(1), total 98.97(100). On the basis of ∑Me = 14 apfu, it corresponds to Ag0.42Tl1.52Pb2.14Hg0.02 (Sb6.82As3.08)∑9.90S18.04Cl0.04. With respect to the type specimen, these new findings are characterized by a strong Pb depletion, coupled with higher Tl contents, and a significant As enrichment. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction study of this (Tl,As)-enriched boscardinite confirms the structural features described for the type sample. The unit-cell parameters are a = 8.1017(4), b = 8.6597(4), c = 22.5574(10) Å, α = 90.666(2), β = 97.242(2), γ = 90.850(2)°, V = 1569.63(12) Å3, space group P̄1. The crystal structure was refined down to R1 = 0.0285 on the basis of 6582 reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). Arsenic is dominant in three MeS3 sites, compared to one in type boscardinite. The main As-enrichment is observed in the sartorite-type sub-layer. Owing to this chemical peculiarity, (Tl, As)-rich boscardinite shows alternation, along b, of Sb-rich sites and As-rich sites; this feature represents the main factor controlling the 8 Å superstructure. The chemical variability of boscardinite is discussed; the Ag increase observed here gets closer to stoichiometric AgTl3Pb4(Sb14As6)∑20S36 (Z = 1), against possible extension up to AgTl2Pb6(Sb15As4)∑19S36 for type boscardinite.

Dzierżanowskite, , a thiocuprate, was found in larnite pseudoconglomerate rocks of the Hatrurim Complex at Jabel Harmun, Palestinian Autonomy, Israel. Dzierżanowskite occurs in larnite pebbles, which are embedded in a low-temperature mineral matrix. Associated minerals are larnite, brownmillerite, fluorellestadite, ye'elimite, gehlenite, periclase, ternesite, nabimusaite, vorlanite, vapnikite, fluormayenite, fluorkyuygenite, oldhamite, jasmundite, covellite, chalcocite and pyrrhotite. Electron microprobe analyses yield an average composition of Cu 55.25, Fe 0.13, S 27.46 and Ca 16.99, total 99.83 wt.%. The empirical formula of dzierżanowskite, based on 5 atoms, is Ca0.98Cu2.02Fe0.01S1.99. Dzierżanowskite forms grains up to 15 μm in size or rims on oldhamite and laminar intergrowths with chalcocite and covellite. Dzierżanowskite is dark orange, has a cream streak and a submetallic lustre. In reflected light it is grey, with a cream tint and characteristic yellow-orange internal reflections. The calculated density of dzierżanowskite is 4.391 g cm -3. Three bands at 300, 103 and 86 cm -1 are observed in the Raman spectrum. The strongest lines of the calculated powder diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I) hkl]: 2.358(100) 102, 1.970(93)110, 3.023(78) 011, 6.523(36) 001, 3.412 (28) 100, 1.834(28) 103. Dzierżanowskite was also found in unusual jasmundite rocks, forming small ‘paleofumaroles’ within areas of low-temperature hydrothermal rocks bearing larnite pseudoconglomerates at Jabel Harmun. Dzierżanowskite is a superimposed phase of the high-temperature alteration of pyrometamorphic rocks subjected to by-products (melts/fluids and gases) of pyrometamorphism originating in the deeper levels of combustion.

Two new occurrences of the lead oxy-sulfosalt chovanite have been identified at the Monte Arsiccio and Pollone mines, Apuan Alps, Tuscany, Italy. Chovanite from Monte Arsiccio occurs as black acicular crystals, up to 5 mm long, associated with rouxelite, robinsonite, sphalerite, valentinite,baryte, dolomite, quartz and Ba-rich K-feldspar ('hyalophane') in metadolostone vugs. Its unit-cell parameters are a = 48.38(5), b = 4.11(4), c = 34.18(4) Å, β = 106.26(2)°, V = 6521(64) Å3, space group C2/m. Very weakreflections indicate the doubling of the b parameter. Electron-microprobe data gave (wt.%): Ag 0.28, Tl 1.51, Pb 45.57, Sb 31.00, As 1.09, S 19.73, Se 0.05, Cl 0.02, sum 99.25. On the basis of ∑Me = 58 apfu, its formula is Ag0.30Tl0.86Pb25.56Sb29.59As1.69S71.52Se0.07Cl0.05.Adding one oxygen atom, it is close to the formula TlPb26(Sb,As)31S72O. Chovanite from Pollone occurs as thick black acicular crystals, up to 1 cm long, associated with baryte and quartz. The high-diffraction quality of the available material allowed the solutionand refinement of the 8 Å crystal structure in the space group P21/c, with unit-cell parameters a = 34.052(3), b = 8.2027(7), c = 48.078(4) Å, β = 106.258(4)°, V = 12891.9(19) Å3. The refinement convergedto R1 = 9.14% on the basis of 19,853 observed reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). Electron-microprobe data gave (wt.%): Ag 0.12, Tl 0.54, Pb 48.34, Bi 0.20, Sb 26.71, As 3.37, S 20.23, Cl 0.07, sum 99.57. It corresponds to the formulaAg0.13Tl0.30Pb26.94Bi0.10Sb25.33As5.20S72.85Cl0.20, close to the idealized formula Pb28(Sb,As)30S72O, with a single oxygen atom bound to two (Sb/As) atoms alternating witha vacancy along b as in scainiite and in other Pb oxy-sulfosalts. The crystal chemistry of this 8 Å crystal structure is detailed, taking into account its modular description, the (Sb,As)mSn polymerization, its topological derivation from pellouxite,and the oxygen non-stoichiometry.

Wilhelmgümbelite, ideally [ZnFe2+Fe33+(PO4)3(OH)4(H2O)5]·2H2O, is a new secondary phosphate mineral related closely to schoonerite, [ZnMnFe22+Fe3+(PO4)3(OH)2(H2O)7]·2H2O, from oxidized zones of the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Wilhelmgümbelite occurs as radiating sprays of needle-like rectangular laths, up to 0.2 mm long and with colour varying from light yellow brown to orange red. Cleavage is perfect parallel to {010}. The mineral is associated closely with an oxidized pseudomorph of phosphophyllite, recently named steinmetzite. Other associated minerals are albite, apatite, chalcophanite, jahnsite, mitridatite, muscovite and quartz. The calculated density of wilhelmgümbelite is 2.82 g cm–3. It is optically biaxial (+) with α = 1.560(2), β = 1.669(2), γ = 1.718(2), 2V(meas) = 63(1)° and 2V(calc.) = 65°. Dispersion is weak with r > v, orientation X = b, Y = c, Z = a. Pleochroism is weak, with coloursZ = orange brown, Y = yellow brown, X = light yellow brown, Z >> Y > X. Electron microprobe analyses (average of seven analyses, seven crystals) with H2O and FeO/Fe2O3 calculated on structural grounds, gave FeO 5.8, Fe2O3 25.0, MnO 2.6, ZnO 16.4, P2O5 28.7, H2O 23.4, total 101.9 wt.%. The empirical formula, scaled to 3 P and OH– adjusted for charge balance is Zn1.50Mn0.272+Fe0.602+Fe2.333+(PO4)3·(OH)2.73(H2O)8.27. The structural formula is [Zn(Mn0.27Fe0.733+)∑1.0(Zn0.25Fe0.152+Fe0.603+)∑1.0(Zn0.25Fe0.452+)∑0.7Fe3+(PO4)3(OH,H2O)9]·2H2O.Wilhelmgümbelite has orthorhombic symmetry, Pmab, Z = 4, with the unit-cell parameters of a = 10.987(7) Å, b = 25.378(13) Å, c = 6.387(6) Å and V = 1781(2) Å3. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å(Iobs) (hkl)] 12.65 (100) (020); 8.339 (5) (120); 6.421 (14) (001); 6.228 (8) (011); 4.223 (30) (120) and 2.111 (7) (0 12 0). Wilhelmgümbelite is an oxidized form of schoonerite, with the Mn2+ replaced principally by Fe3+. Its structure differs from that of schoonerite in having the Zn partitioned between two different sites, one five-coordinated as in schoonerite and the other tetrahedrally coordinated. Wilhelmgümbelite also differs structurally from schoonerite in having partial occupation of one of the Fe sites, which appears to be correlated with the Zn partitioning.

Ilmenite–pyrophanite crystals from a garnet pegmatite dyke from the Upper Codera Valley (Sondrio, Italian Alps) showing exsolutions of titanohematite and columbite-tantalite were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The titanohematite precipitates share the same crystallographic orientation of the ilmenite-pyrophanite host, are bean-shaped when observed on sections inclined to the pinacoidal section, and are elongated when observed on sections closer to the prism section, possibly because of their discoidal shape parallel to (001). The columbite-tantalite precipitates form a hexagonal network of needles elongated along ⟨110⟩ of the ilmenite–pyrophanite and titanohematite host. The following crystallographic relationship was established: [100]Col//[001]Ilm; [001]Col//[110]Ilm; , which can be explained in terms of preservation of the oxygen close packing between the ilmenite and columbite structures. The interfaces between any two of the three different phases are coherent but show lattice strain contrast and sometimes dislocations because of their different unit-cell dimensions. On the basis of textural observations, titanohematite is supposed to exsolve first, followed by columbite-tantalite at temperatures below 500°C. The addition of MnO to the Fe2O3–FeTiO3 system is supposed to considerably influence the topology of the related T-X phase diagram and the solubility of Nb2O5 and Ta2O5 in this system.

Two new members of the atacamite family were discovered recently in the Sadamisaki Peninsula, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Iyoite, MnCuCl(OH)3, is an Mn-Cu ordered analogue of botallackite, while misakiite, Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2, is an Mn-rich analogueof kapellasite. Both minerals occur in manganese ore crevices in close association with one another. Iyoite forms radial and dendritic aggregates consisting of pale green, bladed crystals. Misakiite commonly exists in emerald green, tabular, hexagonal crystals. The densities of iyoite andmisakiite were calculated to be 3.22 and 3.42 g cm–3 based on their empirical formulae and powder X-ray diffraction data. Under the same axial setting of botallackite, iyoite is monoclinic, space group P21/m, a = 5.717(2), b = 6.586(2), c= 5.623(3) Å, β = 88.45(3)° and V = 211.63(15) Å3. Misakiite is trigonal, space group P3m1, with a = 6.4156(4), c = 5.7026(5) Å and V = 203.27(3) Å3. The structures of both mineralsare classified as layer type and the two are closely related. These new minerals were formed by the reaction between seawater and naturally-occurring manganese ores including native copper. These minerals are challenging to produce synthetically. Misakiite was synthesized successfully usinga hydrothermal method, while iyoite could not be made.

Eleonorite, ideally Fe63+(PO4)4O(OH)4·6H2O, the analogue of beraunite Fe2+Fe53+(PO4)4O(OH)5·6H2O with Fe2+ completely substituted by Fe3+, has been approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification as a mineral species (IMA 2015-003). The mineral was first described on material from the Eleonore Iron mine, Dünsberg, near Giessen, Hesse, Germany, but during this study further samples were required and a neotype locality is the Rotläufchen mine, Waldgirmes, Wetzlar, Hesse, Germany, where eleonorite is associated with goethite, rockbridgeite, dufrénite, kidwellite, variscite, matulaite, planerite, cacoxenite, strengite and wavellite. Usually eleonorite occurs as red-brown prismatic crystals up to 0.2 mm × 0.5 mm × 3.5 mm in size and in random or radial aggregates up to 5 mm across encrusting cavities in massive 'limonite'. The mineral is brittle. Its Mohs hardness is 3. Dmeas = 2.92(1), Dcalc = 2.931 g cm–3. The IR spectrum is given. Eleonorite is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.765(4), β = 1.780(5), γ = 1.812(6), 2Vmeas = 75(10)°, 2Vcalc = 70°. The chemical composition (electron microprobe data, H2O analysed by chromatography of products of ignition at 1200°C, wt.%) is: Al2O3 1.03, Mn2O3 0.82, Fe2O3 51.34, P2O5 31.06, H2O 16.4, total 99.58. All iron was determined as being trivalent from a Mössbauer analysis. The empirical formula (based on 27 O apfu) is (Fe5.763+Al0.18Mn0.093+)∑6.03(PO4)3.92O(OH)4.34·5.98H2O. The crystal structure (R = 0.0633) is similar to that of beraunite and is based on a heteropolyhedral framework formed by M(1–4)Ø6-octahedra (where M = Fe3+; Ø = O2–, OH– or H2O) and isolated PO4 tetrahedra, with a wide channel occupied by H2O molecules. Eleonorite is monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 20.679(10), b = 5.148(2), c = 19.223(9) Å, β = 93.574(9)°, V = 2042.5(16) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I,%) (Hkl)] are 10.41 (100) (200), 9.67 (38) (002), 7.30 (29) (202̄), 4.816 (31) (111, 004), 3.432 (18) (600, 114, 404, 313), 3.197 (18) (510, 511̄, 006, 314̄, 602), 3.071 (34) (314, 115̄).

The crystal structure and the chemical composition of uklonskovite from the holotype material was reinvestigated to shed light on its correct chemical formula. On the basis of information gained from this characterization, we revised the formula from NaMg(SO4)OH·2H2O to NaMg(SO4)F·2H2O (F instead of OH). A careful analysis of the structural details together with a critical review of all the chemical data listed in the scientific literature for uklonskovite support our redefinition. We also present Raman data for the mineral for the first time. Our proposal was approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (voting proposal 16-J).

The original description of the hydroxide perovskite jeanbandyite gives a formula (Fe1–x3+,□x)(Sn1–y,□y) (OH)6 (□= vacancy), which implies the possibility of stoichiometric vacancies at B and B' sites. The validity of this formula has been questioned subsequently. Furthermore, jeanbandyite has metrically a cubic unit cell, but it is optically uniaxial. It is clear that a structure determination is needed to clarify the nature of this enigmatic mineral. Previous studies could find no crystals of sufficient quality for structure determination using X-ray diffractometers available at the time. Crystals of jeanbandyite from Hingston Down, Cornwall, UK and the type locality Llallagua, Bolivia, have been found that are of a quality that allows structure refinement by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Structural data for crystals from each locality are presented that clarify the nature of jeanbandyite and raise some interesting questions concerning the significance of partially deprotonated states in perovskite-type structures. The structures of both jeanbandyite crystals are cubic with space group Pn3 and unit-cell parameters a = 7.658(2) Å (Llallagua) and 7.6427(2) Å (Hingston). The octahedral tilt system is a+a+a+ and corresponds to that of the aristotype of BB'(OH)6 hydroxide double perovskites. Structure determination demonstrates that B is very Fe3+-rich and B' is filled by Sn, thereby requiring revision of the general jeanbandyite formula to Fex3+Fe(1–x)2+Sn(OH)(6–x)Oxfor 1≥ × > 0.5, with an ideal end-member formula Fe3+Sn(OH)5O. As such, jeanbandyite corresponds to oxidized natanite with partially deprotonated oxygen sites. This stoichiometry cannot be represented in space group Pn3̄ for the observed unit cell as it implies more than one non-equivalent oxygen atom. Consequently, it is inferred that there is no long-range ordering of deprotonated oxygen sites. It is, however, conceivable that the uniaxial optical character of jeanbandyite is linked to the local short-range order of deprotonated domains.

Natropalermoite, ideally Na2SrAl4(PO4)4(OH)4, the Na-analogue of palermoite, is a new mineral from the Palermo No. 1 mine, Groton, New Hampshire, USA. Associated minerals are palermoite, eosphorite and quartz. Natropalermoite crystal sare prismatic with striations parallel to the direction of elongation (the a axis) up to 200 μm × 50 μm × 45 μm in size. The mineral is colourless, transparent with a white streak and vitreous lustre and is visually indistinguishable from palermoite. It is brittle with subconchoidal fracture and has a Mohs hardness of 5.5. Cleavage is perfect on {001}, fair on {100} and no parting was observed. The calculated density is 3.502 g cm–3. Natropalermoite is biaxial (–), α = 1.624(1), β = 1.641(1), γ = 1.643(1) (589nm), 2Vmeas = 43(4)°, 2Vcalc = 38°. An electron microprobe analysis yielded an empirical formula (based on 20 O apfu) of (Na1.69Li0.31)∑2.00(Sr0.95Mg0.04Ca0.02Ba0.01)∑1.02(Al3.82Mn0.03Fe0.03)∑3.88(P1.01O4)4(OH)4.

Natropalermoite is orthorhombic, space group Imcb, a = 11.4849(6), b = 16.2490(7), c = 7.2927(4) Å, V = 1360.95(17) Å3, Z = 4. Natropalermoite is isotypic with palermoite, but substitution of the larger Na for Li results in substantial increase of the b cell parameter. Four of the seven Na–O distances are longer than their equivalents in palermoite, resulting in a more regular 7-fold coordination polyhedron about Na. The eight strongest peaks in the calculated X-ray powder diffraction are [dcalc(Å),Irel%, (hkl)]: [3.128, 100, (321)], [4.907, 68, (121)], [3.327, 48, (022)], [4.689, 45, (220)], [3.078, 45, (202)], [2.453, 38, (242)], [2.636, 35, (411)], [2.174, 35, (422)].

Zircon from two types of orthogneisses (inheritance-rich and inheritance-poor) from Sierra Nevada (Betic Cordillera, Spain) was investigated by integrating U–Pb geochronology, cathodoluminescence and back-scattered SEM imaging, laser-ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses and Raman spectroscopy to examine the conditions of magmatic zircon growth and the variable extent and mechanisms of the Alpine modifications. Zircon from inheritance-rich gneiss consists of two main domains: inherited (Neoproterozoic-to-Early Paleozoic and Devonian) cores and magmatic overgrowths, which provided 206Pb/238U concordant ages of 286 ± 3 Ma. In inheritance-poor gneiss, zircons consist of magmatic cores and very altered rims defining a discordia with an upper intercept with the Concordia at 287 + 21 –22 Ma and a lower intercept at 20.8 + 48.6 –20.8 Ma. Magmatic domains of zircon from inheritance-rich gneiss have lower rare-earth element (REE) contents than magmatic domains from inheritance-poor gneiss, reflecting the less evolved nature of the melt. Altered domains in zircon from inheritance-poor gneisss how greater U concentrations, lower REE concentrations and lower Th/U ratios relative to the cores, interpreted as representing Pb loss from the U-rich magmatic domains during the Alpine event. Morphological changes within single grains and between populations reflects the evolution during magmatic cooling. We show that, whereas classic methods allow two different interpretations for the geodynamic setting of the two types of gneisses, a complete study of composition, morphology and structure of zircon can help to decide that a model based on a common source for the granitic melt better fits the zircon characteristics than a model based on melts generated in two different geotectonic settings.

The new mineral gazeevite, BaCa6(SiO4)2(SO4)2O (R3m, a = 7.1540(1), c = 25.1242(5) Å, V = 1113.58(3) Å3, Z = 3), was found in an altered xenolith in rhyodacites ofthe Shadil-Khokh volcano, Southern Ossetia and at three localities in larnite pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex; Nahal Darga and Jabel Harmun, Judean Mountains, Palestinian Autonomy, and Har Parsa, Negev Desert, Israel. Larnite, fluorellestadite–fluorapatite, srebrodolskite–brownmilleriteand mayenite-supergroup minerals are the main minerals commonly associated with gazeevite. Gazeevite is isostructural with zadovite and aradite; the 1:1 type AB6(TO4)2(TO4)2W, occurs together with the structurallyrelated minerals of the nabimusaite series, 3:1 type AB12(TO4)4(TO4)2W3, where A = Ba, K, Sr...; B = Ca, Na...; T = Si, P, V5+, S6+, Al...; W = O2–,F–. Single antiperovskite layers {[WB6](TO4)2} in the structure type of gazeevite–zadovite and triple {[W3B12](TO4)4} layers in arctite–nabimusaite areintercalated with single A(TO4) layers. These minerals with an interrupted antiperovskite structure are characterized by a modular layered structure derived from hatrurite, Ca3(SiO4)O. Gazeevite is colourless, transparent, with a white streakand vitreous lustre. Gazeevite is brittle, shows pronounced parting and imperfect cleavage on {001}; it is uniaxial (–), ω = 1.640(3), ε = 1.636(2) (λ = 589 nm) and nonpleochroic; Mohs' hardness is ∼4.5, VHN50 = 417 kg mm–2. The calculateddensity is = 3.39 g cm–3. The main lines of the calculated powder X-ray diffraction pattern are as follows (d(Å)/I/hkl): 3.58/100/110, 3.07/91/021, 2.76/47/116, 1.789/73/220, 3.29/60/113, 2.78/36/024, 2.12/25/125, 2.21/21/208. Raman spectra of gazeeviteare compared with spectra of other minerals. The formation of gazeevite and minerals of the nabimusaite–dargaite series is connected with high-temperature alteration of an early assemblage of clinker minerals affected by later fluids generated by volcanic activity or combustion processes.

Wiklundite, ideally Pb2[4](Mn2+,Zn)3(Fe3+,Mn2+)2(Mn2+,Mg)19(As3+O3)2[(Si,As5+)O4]6(OH)18Cl6, isa new arseno-silicate mineral from Långban, Filipstad, Värmland, Sweden. Both the mineral and the name have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA 2015-057). Wiklundite and a disordered wiklundite-like mineral form radiating, sheaf-like aggregates (up to 1 mm long) of thin brownish-red and slightly bent lath-shaped crystals. It occurs in a dolomite-rich skarn in association with tephroite, mimetite, turneaurite, johnbaumite, jacobsite, barite, native lead, filipstadite andparwelite. Wiklundite is reddish brown to dark brown, and the streak is pale yellowish brown. The lustre is resinous to sub-metallic, almost somewhat bronzy, and wiklundite does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The calculated density is 4.072 g cm–3. Wiklundite is brittle with an irregular fracture, and has perfect cleavage on {001}; no parting or twinning was observed. Wiklundite is uniaxial (–), orange red and non-pleochroic in transmitted light, but shows incomplete extinction and distorted interference figures, preventing complete determination of optical properties. Electron-microprobe analysis (H2O calculated from the structure) of wiklundite gave SiO2 11.17, Al2O3 0.06, Fe2O3 4.46, As2O5 0.75, As2O3 6.81, MnO 47.89, ZnO 0.78,CaO 0.09, PbO 14.48, Cl 6.65, H2O 5.18, O=Cl2 –1.50, total 97.11 wt.%, As valences and H2O content taken from the crystal-structure refinement, and Fe3+/(Fe2+ + Fe3+) determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Wiklundite is hexagonal-rhombohedral, space group R3c, a = 8.257(2), c = 126.59(4) Å, V = 7474(6) Å3, Z = 6. The crystal structure of wiklundite was solved by direct methods and refined to a final R1 index of 3.2%. The structure consists of a stacking of five layers of polyhedra: three layers consist of trimers of edge-sharing Mn2+-dominant octahedra linked by (SiO4) tetrahedra, (Fe3+(OH)6) dominant octahedra and (AsO3) triangular pyramids; one layerof corner-sharing (SiO4) and (Mn2+O4) tetrahedra; and one layer of (Mn2+Cl6) octahedra and (Pb2+(OH)3Cl6) polyhedra. The mineral is named after Markus Wiklund (b. 1969) and Stefan Wiklund (b. 1972), the well-known Swedish mineral collectors who jointly found the specimen containing the mineral.

The new mineral species canosioite, ideally Ba2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH), has been discovered in the dump of Valletta mine, Maira Valley, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, Italy. Its origin is probably related to the reaction between ore minerals and hydrothermal fluids. It occurs in reddish-brown granules, subhedral millimetre-size crystals, with a pale yellow streak and vitreous lustre. Canosioite is associated with aegirine, baryte, calcite, hematite, bronze Mn-bearing muscovite, unidentified Mn oxides and unidentified arsenates. Canosioite is biaxial (+) with a 2Vmeas = 84(2)°. It is weakly pleochroic with X = brownish yellow, Y = brown, Z = reddish brown, Z > Y > X. Canosioite is monoclinic, P21/m, with a = 7.8642(4), b = 6.1083(3), c = 9.1670(5) Å, β = 112.874(6)°, V = 405.73(4) Å3 and Z = 2. Calculated density is 4.943 g cm–3. The seven strongest diffraction lines of the observed powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [d in Å, (I) (hkl)]: 3.713 (18)(111), 3.304 (100)(211̄), 3.058 (31)(020), 3.047 (59)(103̄), 2.801 (73)(112), 2.337 (24)(220), 2.158 (24)(123̄). Electron microprobe analyses gave (wt.%): Na2O 0.06, MgO 0.43, CaO 0.02, NiO 0.02, CuO 0.03, SrO 0.42, BaO 49.36, PbO 1.69, Al2O3 1.25, Mn2O3 3.89, Fe2O3 6.95, Sb2O3 0.01, SiO2 0.03, P2O5 0.02, V2O5 10.88, As2O5 24.64, SO3 0.01, F 0.02, H2O1.61 was calculated on the basis of 1 (OH,F,H2O) group per formula unit. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of OH. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 9 O apfu, is (Ba1.92Pb0.05Sr0.02Na0.01)∑2.00(Fe0.523+Mn0.293+Al0.15Mg0.06)∑1.02[(As0.64V0.36)∑1.00O4]2[(OH0.92F0.01)(H2O)0.07]and the ideal formula is Ba2Fe3+(AsO4)2(OH). The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and found to be isostructural to that of arsenbrackebuschite. The structure model was refined (R1 = 2.6%) on the basis of 1245 observed reflections. Canosioite is named after the small municipality of Canosio, where the type locality, the Valletta mine, is situated. The new mineral and name were approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names (IMA2015-030).

The new mineral centennialite (IMA 2013-110), CaCu3(OH)6Cl2·nH2O, was identified from three cotype specimens originating from the Centennial Mine, Houghton County, Michigan, USA, where it occurs as a secondary product, after acid water action upon supergene Cu mineralization in association with, and essentially indivisible from, other copper-containing minerals such as calumetite and atacamite family minerals. It forms as pale to azure blue encrustations, often taking a botryoidal form. Centennialite is trigonal, , a = 6.6606(9) Å, c = 5.8004(8) Å, V= 222.85(6) Å3, Z= 1. The strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are dobs/Å [I%] (hkl), 5.799 [100] (001), 2.583 [75] (201), 2.886 [51] (111), 1.665 [20] (220), 1.605 [17] (023), 1.600 [15] (221), 1.444 [11] (222). The X-ray refined structure forms a kagome net of planar coordinated CuO4 units with Jahn-Teller coordinated Cl apices to form octahedra that edge-share to in-plane adjacent and flattened CaO6 octahedra, which are centred about the lattice origin. All oxygen sites are protonated and shared between one Ca-octahedron and one CuO4 planar unit. Three protonated sites are linked, by hydrogen-bonding to Cl sites, which sit on the triad axis. Each lattice has one Cl above and one below the Ca-Cu polyhedral plane. Consequently, the layers are stacked, along ⟨001⟩, with two Cl sites between layers. In addition to this kapellasite-like topology, an extra c/2 site is identified as being variably water-hosting and extends the coordination of the Ca-site to 8-fold, akin to the body-diagonal Pb-Cu sheet in murdochite. Centennialite conforms to the description of the ‘Unidentified Cu-Ca-Cl Mineral’ noted in Heinrich's Mineralogy of Michigan and is almost certainly identical to the supposed hexagonal basic calcium-copper hydroxychloride monohydrate of Erdös et al. (1981). We comment upon relationships between calumetite and centennialite and propose a substructure model for a synthetic calumetite-like phase that is related directly to centennialite.

Five turquoise samples, belonging to the XVII century historical collection of the Real Museo Mineralogico (University of Naples Federico II), were investigated by a multi-methodological approach based on powder X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analysis in wavelength-dispersive spectroscopy mode, backscattered electron images from scanning electron microscopy in energy-dispersive spectroscopy mode, laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy.

The samples originate from Sinai (Egypt), Santa Fè S. Miguel (New Mexico), Saxony (Germany), Montebras Creuse (France) and Nishapur (Khorassan, Iran) and display different mineralogical compositions and various mineral associations. The study has shown the presence of: (1) four minerals of the turquoise group: turquoise, faustite, chalcosiderite and planerite; (2) other phosphates from different groups: wavellite, crandallite, goyazite, gorceixite, variscite, metavariscite, fluorapatite; and (3) other minerals: voltaite, adularia and quartz.

The present investigation is intended to show the mineralogical and geochemical variability of the samples with particular attention to the mineralogical parageneses, textural analyses and trace-element concentrations.

Mesaite (IMA2015-069), ideally (V2O7)3·12H2O, is a new mineral from the Packrat mine, Gateway district, Mesa County, Colorado, USA. Crystals of mesaite occur as orangish red blades up to 0.1 mm long and ∼10 μm thick. The streak is light pinkish orange and the lustre is vitreous, transparent. Mesaite has a brittle tenacity, {010} perfect cleavage; fracture is irregular, and no parting was observed. The mineral has a Mohs hardness ≈ 2. The measured density of mesaite is 2.74(1) g cm–3. Mesaite is biaxial (–), α = 1.760(calc), β = 1.780(5), γ = 1.795(5) in white light; the measured 2V value = 81(2)°. Dispersion is strong, r < v, and pleochroism is present in shades of brownish orange. Mesaite is monoclinic, P2/n, with a = 9.146(2), b = 10.424(3), c = 15.532(4) Å, β = 102.653(7)° and V = 1444.7(6) Å3. The strongest four diffraction lines in the powder diffraction pattern are [(dobs in Å, (Iobs), (hkl)]: 10.47 (100) (010), 2.881 (25) (132, 3̄12, 033, 310), 3.568 (24) (1̄14, 1̄23, 2̄13), 3.067 (17) (1̄24, 1̄32, 2̄23). The composition of mesaite was determined by electron microprobe, and yielded an empirical formula of Mn5.32Ca0.56Zn0.31V5.96As0.04O33H23.61 on the basis of 33 O atoms per formula unit (apfu).

The atomic arrangement of mesaite was solved and refined to R1 = 0.0600. The structure is formed of zigzag octahedral chains of edge-sharing Mn2+O6 octahedra. Oxygen atoms of the octahedra are shared with V2O7 groups, which link with adjacent octahedral chains to form {010} heteropolyhedral layers. The interlayer region contains Ca atoms and H2O groups. Each Ca bonds to two O6 atoms in the heteropolyhedral layer and to two fully occupied and six partially occupied O (H2O) sites in the interlayer, resulting in an effective Ca coordination of approximately seven. Similar zigzag chains of edge-sharing MnO6 octahedra decorated with V2O7 groups are also found in the mineral fianelite. Mesaite has beenapproved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA2015-069). The name mesaite is conferred for Mesa County, Colorado, USA.

Girdite, a mineral described byWilliams in 1979 from the Grand Central mine, Tombstone, Cochise County, Arizona, USA, has been re-examined by powder X-ray diffraction, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe. Type material from The Natural History Museum, London and the United States National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution) was examined. The original description of girdite is shown to have been based upon data obtained from at least two and possibly three different phases, one corresponding to ottoite and another probably corresponding to oboyerite, although the latter itself appears to be a mixture. The discreditation of girdite as a valid mineral species has been approved by the IMA-CNMNC, Proposal 16-G.

Magnesio-riebeckite from the dumps of the abandoned mine of Varenche (45°47’22’’ N, 7°29’17’’ E), Saint-Barthélemy, Nus, Aosta Valley (Italy), was studied to provide the complete mineral description (including crystal structure) and insights into the crystal-chemistry of riebeckite. The empirical formula derived from electron microprobe analysis and single-crystal structure refinement is A(Na0.09K0.01)Σ=0.10B(Na1.77Ca0.11Mg0.08Mn2+ 0:04)Σ=2.00C(Mg2.93Mn2+0:13Fe2+0:07Zn0.01Ni0.12Fe3+1:25Al0.48Ti0.01)Σ=5.00T(Si7.92Al0.08)Σ=8.00 O22W(OH1.88F0.12)Σ=2.00. Magnesio-riebeckite is biaxial (+), with α = 1.678(2), β = 1.682(2), γ = 1.688(2) and 2V (meas.) = 80.2(1.7)°, 2V (calc.) = 78.7°. The unit-cell parameters are a = 9.6481(14), b = 17.873(3), c = 5.3013(7) Å, β = 103.630(2)°, V = 888.4 (2)Å3, Z = 2, space group C2/m. The strongest ten reflections in the powder X-ray pattern [d values (in Å), I, (hkl)] are: 2.701, 100, (151); 8.303, 83, (110); 3.079, 62, (310); 3.391, 53, (131); 4.467, 50, (040,021); 2.522, 50, (̅202); 2.578, 35, (061); 2.155, 30, (261), 4.855, 30, (̅111), 2.300, 29, (̅351).

It is common practice to estimate a mean diameter for spherical or sub-spherical particles or vesicles in a rock by multiplying the average diameter of the approximately circular cross-sections visible in thin section by a factor of 1.273. This number-weighted average may be dominatedby the hard-to-measure fine tail of the size distribution, and is unlikely to be representative of the average particle diameter of greatest interest for a wide range of geological problems or processes. Average particle size can be quantified in a variety of ways, based on the mass or surfacearea of the particles, and here we provide exact relations of these different average measures to straightforward measurements possible in thin section, including an analysis of how many particles to measure to achieve a desired level of uncertainty. The use of average particle diameter isillustrated firstly with a consideration of the accumulation of olivine phenocrysts on the floor of the 135 m thick picrodolerite/crinanite unit of the Shiant Isles Main Sill. We show that the 45 m thick crystal pile on the sill floor could have formed by crystal settling within about a year.The second geological example is provided by an analysis of the sizes of exsolved Fe-rich droplets during unmixing of a basaltic melt in a suite of experimental charges. We show that the size distribution cannot be explained by sudden nucleation, followed by either Ostwald ripening or Browniancoalescence. We deduce that a continuous process of droplet nucleation during cooling is likely to have occurred.