The new mineral, dyrnaesite-(La), is found in the Ilímaussaq alkaline complex, South Greenland. The holotype material originates from an arfvedsonite lujavrite sheet as an accessory mineral. Dyrnaesite-(La) is pale yellowish green, with no cleavage and an irregular fracture. Density is 3.68(2)/3.682 g/cm3 (measured/ calculated). It is biaxial, negative, 2Vα = 47(1)/48 (measured/calculated); α = 1.6226(5), β = 1.6852(10), γ = 1.6982(2); X = c, Y = a, Z = b. The average values of microprobe analyses are (wt.%) P2O5 37.17, SiO2 0.15, CaO 0.90, Na2O 20.06, La2O3 16.44, CeO2 20.23, Pr2O3 1.40, Nd2O3 3.47, Sm2O3 0.24, Dy2O3 0.06, Y2O3 0.06.

The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Dyrnaesite-(La) is orthorhombic, Pnma; a = 18.4662(7) Å, b = 16.0106(5) Å, c = 7.0274(2) Å, V = 2077.7(2) Å3, Z = 4. The structural formula calculated from the diffraction data and microprobe analysis is Na7.89(Ce0.94Ca0.06)∑1.00(Ca0.12La1.14Ce0.40Pr0.10Nd0.24)∑2.00(PO4)6, the simplified formula is Na8Ce4+REE2(PO4)6. The crystal structure is related closely to that of vitusite-(Ce), but is distinct from it in several aspects. The five strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are (d Å, (I %), (hkl)); 6.57 (100) (101), 4.62 (40) (301, 230, 400), 3.50 (40) (331), 2.80 (86) (232, 402), 2.67 (54) (060,630).

Synthesis of Ni and Zn substituted nano-greigite, Fe3S4, is achieved from single source diethyldithiocarbamato precursor compounds, producing particles typically 50–100 nm in diameter with plate-like pseudohexagonal morphologies. Up to 12 wt.% Ni is incorporated into the greigite structure, and there is evidence that Zn is also incorporated but Co is not substituted into the lattice. The Fe L3 X-ray absorption spectra for these materials have a narrow single peak at 707.7 eV and the resulting main X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) has the same sign at 708.75 eV. All XMCD spectra also have a broad positive feature at 711 eV, a characteristic of covalent mixing. The greigite XMCD spectra contrast with the three clearly defined XMCD site specific peaks found in the ferrite spinel, magnetite. The Fe L2,3X-ray absorption spectra and XMCD spectra of the greigite reflect and reveal the high conductivity of greigite and the very strong covalency of the Fe–S bonding. The electron hopping between Fe3+ and Fe2+ on octahedral sites results in an intermediate oxidation state of the Fe in the Oh site of Fe2.5+ producing an effective formula of [Fe3+ ↑]A-site[2Fe2.5+ ↓]B-siteS42–]. The Ni L2,3 X-ray absorption spectra and XMCD reveal substitution on the Oh site with a strongly covalent character and an oxidation state <Ni1.5+ in a representative formula [Fe3+ ↑]A[[(2 – x)Fe2.5+ ↓][Nix1.5+]]BS42–.

Odigitriaite, a new Cs, Na, Ca borosilicate mineral, was discovered in moraine adjacent to the Darai-Pioz alkaline massif in the upper reaches of the Darai-Pioz river at the intersection of the Turkestansky, Zeravshansky and Alaisky mountain ridges, Tajikistan. It occurs as irregular thin flakes associated with quartz, pectolite, baratovite, fluorite, pekovite, polylithionite, aegirine, leucosphenite, pyrochlore, neptunite, reedmergnerite, mendeleevite-(Ce), zeravshanite and sokolovaite. It is colourless with a white streak, is translucent and has a vitreous lustre; it does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Odigitriaite is brittle with an uneven fracture and a Mohs hardness of 5. The calculated density is 2.80(2) g/cm3. The indices of refraction are α = 1.502, β = 1.564, γ = 1.576; 2Vobs = 46(2)°, dispersion is weak r > v, and there is no pleochroism. The chemical composition is as follows (electron microprobe, H2O calculated from structure): SiO2 55.30, Al2O3 0.09, Y2O3 0.44, MnO 0.94, FeO 0.10, PbO 0.21, K2O 0.01 Cs2O 8.36, B2O3 4.75, H2O 0.37, F 1.74, O = F2 –0.74, total 99.43 wt.%. The empirical formula of odigitriaite is Cs0.90Na5.12Ca4.68Mn0.20Y0.06Fe0.02Pb0.01[Si13.92Al0.03B2.06O38]F1.39(OH)0.62. The end-member formula is CsNa5Ca5[Si14B2O38]F2. The strong reflections in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are: [(d, Å), (I, %), (hkl)]: 5.45 (25) (1 1 3), 4.66 (33) (3 1 1), 4.40 (26) (0 2 2), 4.10 (36) (3 1 3), 3.95 (25) (3̄ 1 3), 2.85 (31) (2 2 2), 2.68 (40) (0 0 6), 3.62 (45) (0 2 4), 3.35 (100) (2̄ 2 4), 3.31 (30) (3̄ 1 5), 3.25 (35) (4 0 4), 3.04 (60) (4̄ 2 2), 2.925 (22) (4̄ 2 3), 1.813 (23) (9 1 0). Odigitriaite is monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 16.652(5), b = 9.598 (3), c = 22.120(7) Å, β= 92.875(14)°, V = 3530.9(1.9) Å3, Z = 4. The crystal structure of odigitriaite was solved by direct methods and refined to an R 1 value of 2.75% based on single-crystal X-ray data. It is a double-layer sheet-borosilicate mineral; Cs and Na are intercalated within the double-layer sheet, and the double layers are linked by interstitial Ca and Na atoms.

A series of clinopyroxenes along the CaMgSi2O6–CaCoSi2O6 join was synthesized by quenching from melts at 1500°C and subsequent annealing at 1250°C (at 0.0001 GPa). This protocol proved to be the most effective to obtain homogenous, impurity-free and stoichiometric pyroxenes. Electron microprobe analyses in energy dispersive mode were conducted and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data were collected on Ca (CoxMg1-x)Si2O6 pyroxenes with x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6. Effects of cation substitution at the M1 site are described. The experimental findings of this study allow us to extend the comparative analysis of the structural features of pyroxenes with divalent cations at the M1 and M2 sites.

The behaviour of ThSiO4 during low-temperature alteration has significance for element mobility and redistribution. Here we describe five types of alteration of ThSiO4 by hydrothermal fluids: (1) primary ThSiO4 associated with chevkinite-(Ce) in a quartz-epidote metasomatite; (2) during alteration of monazite-(Ce) in a quartzolite; (3) during alteration of fergusonite-(Y) in a quartz-epidote metasomatite; (4) following exsolution from chevkinite-(Ce); and (5) associated with cerite-(Ce) and with ilmenite and bastnäsite-(Ce) in late-stage veinlets in a syenitic pegmatite and a metasomatite. The great majority of crystals have been strongly altered compositionally, with variable degrees of replacement of formula elements by non-formula elements, such as Ca, Fe, P and REE. The most reliable geochemical indicators of hydrothermal alteration are low analytical totals and non-stoichiometric structural formulae. The alteration is variably ascribed to dissolution-reprecipitation and pervasive fluid infiltration along cracks. Thorium appears to have shown limited mobility in these samples.

Steinmetzite, ideally Zn2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH)·3H2O, is a new mineral from the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Steinmetzite was found in a highly oxidized zone of the Cornelia mine at Hagendorf-Süd. It has formed by alteration of phosphophyllite, involving oxidation of the iron and some replacement of Zn by Fe. Steinmetzite lamellae co-exist with an amorphous Fe-rich phosphate in pseudomorphed phosphophyllite crystals. The lamellae are only a few μm thick and with maximum dimension ∼50 μm. The phosphophyllite pseudomorphs have a milky opaque appearance, often with a glazed yellow to orange weathering rind and with lengths ranging from sub-mm to 1 cm. Associated minerals are albite, apatite, chalcophanite, jahnsite, mitridatite, muscovite, quartz and wilhelmgümbelite.Goethite and cryptomelane are also abundant in the oxidized zone. The calculated density is 2.96 g cm–3. Steinmetzite is biaxial (–) with measured refractive indices α = 1.642(2), β = 1.659 (calc.), γ = 1.660(2) (white light). 2V(meas) = 27(1)°; orientation is Y ≈ b, X ^c ≈ 27°, with crystals flattened on {010} and elongated on [001]. Pleochroism shows shades of pale brown; Y > X ≈ Z. Electron microprobe analyses (average of seven crystals) with Fe reported as Fe2O3 and with H2O calculated from the structure gave ZnO 31.1, MnO 1.7, CaO 0.5, Fe2O3 21.9, Al2O3 0.3, P2O5 32.9, H2O 14.1 wt.%, total 102.5%. The empirical formula based on 2 P and 12 O, with all iron as ferric and OH–adjusted for charge balance is Zn1.65Fe1.193+ Mn0.112+Ca0.03Al0.023+(PO4)2(OH)1.21·2.79H2O. The simplified formula is Zn2Fe3+(PO4)2(OH)·3H2O.Steinmetzite is triclinic, P1̄, with unit-cell parameters: a = 10.438(2), b = 5.102(1), c = 10.546(2) Å, α = 91.37(2), β = 115.93(2) and γ = 94.20(2)°. V = 502.7(3) Å3, Z = 2. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å (I) (hkl)] 9.313(65) (100), 5.077(38) (010), 4.726(47) (002), 4.657(100) (200), 3.365 (55) (3̄02), 3.071(54) (11̄2) and 2.735(48) (3̄1̄2). The structure is related to that of phosphophyllite.

Norilskite, (Pd,Ag)7Pb4 is a new platinum-group mineral discovered in the Mayak mine of the Talnakh deposit, Russia. It forms anhedral grains in aggregates (up to ∼400 μm) with polarite, zvyagintsevite, Pd-rich tetra-auricupride, Pd-Pt bearing auricupride,Ag-Au alloys, (Pb,As,Sb) bearing atokite, mayakite, Bi-Pb-rich kotulskite and sperrylite in pentlandite, cubanite and talnakhite. Norilskite is brittle, has a metallic lustre and a grey streak. Values of VHN20 fall between 296 and 342 kg mm–2, with a mean valueof 310 kg mm–2, corresponding to a Mohs hardness of ∼4. In plane-polarized light, norilskite is orange-brownish pink, has moderate to strong bireflectance, orange-pink to greyish-pink pleochroism, and strong anisotropy; it exhibits no internal reflections. Reflectancevalues of norilskite in air (Ro, Re' in %) are: 51.1, 48.8 at 470 nm, 56.8, 52.2 at 546 nm, 59.9, 53.5 at 589 nm and 64.7, 55.5 at 650 nm. Sixteen electronmicroprobe analyses of natural norilskite gave an average composition: Pd 44.33, Ag 2.68, Bi 0.33 and Pb 52.34, total99.68 wt.%, corresponding to the empirical formula (Pd6.56Ag0.39)∑6.95(Pb3.97Bi0.03)∑4.00 based on 4 Pb + Bi atoms; the average of eight analyses on synthetic norilskite is: Pd 42.95, Ag 3.87 and Pb 53.51, total 100.33wt.%, corresponding to (Pd6.25Ag0.56)∑6.81Pb4.00. The mineral is trigonal, space group P3121, with a = 8.9656(4), c = 17.2801(8) Å, V = 1202.92(9) Å3 and Z = 6. The crystalstructure was solved and refined from the powder X-ray diffraction data of synthetic (Pd,Ag)7Pb4. Norilskite crystallizes in the Ni13Ga3Ge6 structure type, related to nickeline. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction patternof synthetic norilskite [d in Å (I) (hkl)] are: 3.2201(29)(023,203), 2.3130(91)(026,206), 2.2414(100)(220), 1.6098(28)(046,406), 1.3076(38)(246,462), 1.2942(18)(600), 1.2115(37)(22.12,12.13), 0.9626(44) (06.12,60.12). The mineral is named for the locality, the Noril'sk district in Russia.

Natural samples containing tetrahedrite–tennantite, bournonite–seligmannite and geocronite–jordanite from the Coranda-Hondol ore deposit, Romania, were investigated by Raman spectroscopy to determine its capability to provide estimates of solid solutions in three common and widespread sulfosalt mineral series. Raman measurements were performed on extended solid solution series (Td1 to Td97, Bnn25 to Bnn93 and Gcn24 to Gcn67, apfu). The tetrahedrite–tennantite and bournonite–seligmannite solid solution series show strong correlations between spectroscopic parameters ( position, relative intensity and shape of the Raman bands) and the Sb/(Sb+As) content ratio, while Raman spectra of geocronite–jordanite shows no evolution of Raman bands. In order to simplify the method used to estimate the Sb/(Sb+As) content ratio in tetrahedrite–tennantite and bournonite–seligmannite series, several linear equations of the first-order polynomial fit were obtained. The results are in good agreement with electron microprobe data. Moreover, a computer program was developed as an analytical tool for a fast and accurate determination of Sb/(Sb+As) content ratio by at least one spectroscopic parameter. These results indicate that Raman spectroscopy can provide direct information on the composition and structure of the tetrahedrite–tennantite and bournonite– seligmannite series.

The new mineral currierite (IMA2016-030), Na4Ca3MgAl4(AsO3OH)12·9H2O, was found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with anhydrite, canutite, chudobaite, halite, lavendulan, magnesiokoritnigite, quartz, scorodite and torrecillasite. Currierite occurs as hexagonal prisms, needles and hair-like fibres up to ∼200 μm long, in sprays. The crystal forms are ﹛100﹜ and ﹛001﹜. Crystals are transparent, with vitreous to silky lustre and white streak. The Mohs hardness is ∼2, tenacity is brittle, but elastic in very thin fibres, and the fracture is irregular. Crystals exhibit at least one good cleavage parallel [001]. The measured density is 3.08(2) g cm -3 and the calculated density is 3.005 g cm -3. Optically, currierite is uniaxial (–) with ω= 1.614(1) and ε= 1.613(1) (measured in white light). The mineral is slowly soluble in dilute HCl at room temperature. The empirical formula, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, is (Na3.95A12.96Ca2.74Mg1.28Fe0.633+Cu0.13K0.08Co0.03Σ11.80 (AS11.685+Sb0.325+Σ12(O56.96Cl0.04)Σ57H30.81. Currierite is hexagonal, P622, with a = 12.2057(9), c = 9.2052(7) Å, V= 1187.7(2) Å3 and Z = 1. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 10.63(100)(100), 6.12(20)(110), 5.30(15)(200), 4.61(24)(002), 4.002(35)(210), 3.474(29)(202), 3.021(96)(212) and 1.5227(29)(440,334,612). The structure of currierite (R1 = 2.27% for 658 Fo > 4σF reflections) is based upon a heteropolyhedral chain along c in which AlO6 octahedra are triple-linked by sharing corners with AsO3OH tetrahedra. Chains are linked to one another by bonds to 8(4 + 4)-coordinated Na and 8-coordinated Ca forming a three-dimensional framework with large cavities that contain rotationally disordered Mg(H2O)6 octahedra. The chain in the structure of currierite is identical to that in kaatialaite and a geometrical isomer of that in ferrinatrite. The mineral is named in honour of Mr. Rock Henry Currier (1940–2015), American mineral dealer, collector, author and lecturer.

The new mineral hansesmarkite (IMA2015-067), Ca2Mn2Nb6O19·20H2O, was discovered at the AS Granit larvikite quarry in Tvedalen, Larvik, Vestfold, Norway. Hansesmarkite forms faintly yellow crystals up to 0.3 mm or thin coatingsin patches on gonnardite. Hansesmarkite is biaxial (+) with refractive indices (white light): α = 1.683(2), β = 1.698(2) and γ = 1.745(3); 2V(meas.) = 60.7(6)° and 2V(calc.) = 60.3°. The mineral exhibits moderate dispersion (r > v)and is pleochroic with X (almost colourless) < Y ( pale yellow) << Z (orangey yellow). The optical orientation is X ^ c = 20°, Y ^ b = 16° and Z ^ a = 5°. The empirical formula based on five electron probemicroanalyses and calculated based on Nb = 6 apfu is (Ca1.93Na0.02K0.01)∑1.96(Mn1.79Fe0.11)∑1.90Nb6O18.84·20H2O, with H2O determined from the structure solution.The mineral is triclinic, P1, with a = 9.081(4), b = 9.982(8), c = 10.60(1) Å, α = 111.07(8), β = 101.15(6), γ = 99.39(5)°, V = 850.8(13) Å3 and Z = 1. The structure was solved at 120 K because of thermalinstability of the mineral and refined to R1 = 2.50% for Fo > 4σ. The strongest reflections in the x-ray diffraction diagram are: [dobs. in Å (I)(hkl)] 9.282(36)(001), 8.610(100)(100, 011), 3.257(30)(031, 131)and 3.058(18)(130, 212). Hansesmarkite is the third naturally occurring hexaniobate in which six edge-sharing Nb-octahedra form the Lindqvist ion. These are linked via Mn-octahedra forming rods along [100] and Ca is located between the rods, creating a three dimensional structure via hydrogen bonds.

Here we report a nomenclature and classification for the seidozerite-supergroup minerals. The TS (Titanium-Silicate) block is the main structural unit in all seidozerite-supergroup structures; it consists of a central O (O = Octahedral) sheet and two adjacent H (H = Heteropolyhedral) sheets where Si2O7 groups occur in the H sheets. The TS block is characterized by a planar minimal cell based on translation vectors, t1 and t2, the lengths of these vectors are t1 ≈ 5.5 and t2 ≈ 7 Å, and t1 ^ t2 is close to 90°. The forty-five minerals of the sedozerite supergroup are divided into four groups based on the content of Ti and topology and stereochemistry of the TS block: in rinkite, bafertisite, lamprophyllite and murmanite groups, Ti (+ Nb + Zr + Fe3+ +Mg + Mn) = 1, 2, 3 and 4 apfu (atoms per formula unit), respectively. All TS-block structures consist either solely of TS blocks or of two types of block: the TS block and an I (Intermediate) block that comprises atoms between two TS blocks. Usually, the I block consists of alkali and alkaline-earth cations, H2O groups and oxyanions (PO4)3-, (SO4)2- and (CO3)2-.The general formula of the TS block is as follows AP2 BP2 MH2 MO4 (Si2O7)2X4+n, where MH2 and MO4 = cations of the H and O sheets; MH = Ti, Nb, Zr, Y, Mn, Ca + REE, Ca;MO = Ti, Zr, Nb, Fe3+, Fe2+, Mg, Mn, Zn, Ca, Na; AP and BP = cations at the peripheral (P) sites = Na, Ca + REE, Ca, Zn, Ba, Sr, K; X = anions = O, OH, F, H2O; XO4+n=XO4 +XPn , n = 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 4; XP = XPM and XPA = apical anions of MH and AP cations at the periphery of the TS block.

Natural samples of the substituted basic Cu(II) chloride series, Cu4–xMx2+(OH)6Cl2(M = Zn, Ni, or Mg) were investigated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction in order to elucidate compositional boundaries associated with paratacamite and its congeners. The compositional ranges examined are Cu3.65Zn0.35(OH)6Cl2 – Cu3.36Zn0.64(OH)6Cl2 and Cu3.61Ni0.39(OH)6Cl2 – Cu3.13Ni0.87(OH)6Cl2, along with a single Mg-bearing phase. The majority of samples studied have trigonal symmetry (R3̄m) analogous to that of herbertsmithite (Zn) and gillardite (Ni), with a ≈ 6.8, c ≈ 14.0 Å. Crystallographic variations for these samples caused by composition are compared with both published and new data for the R3̄m sub-cell of paratacamite, paratacamite-(Mg) and paratacamite-(Ni). The observed trends suggest that the composition of end-members associated with the paratacamite congeners depend upon the nature of the substituting cation.

A crystal chemical study of narsarsukite from the Murun alkaline massif, Russia has been carried out combining single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electron microprobe analyses, micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The narsarsukite single crystals are tetragonal (space group I4/m) with unit-cell parameters: 10.7140(1) ≤ a ≤ 10.7183(2) Å and 7.9478(1) ≤ c ≤ 7.9511(1) Å. The XPS analysis showed that Fe occurs in the mineral as Fe3+, whereas the FTIR spectrum showed that the sample studied is anhydrous. The average crystal chemical formula of the Murun narsarsukite is: Na2.04K0.01(V0.015+Ti0.74Zr0.01Al0.01Fe0.223+Mg0.01)1.00Si4.00(O10.74F0.23OH0.03)11.00. Structural disorder at octahedral and interstitial sites was modelled and also discussed in consideration of the main substitutional mechanism Ti4+ + O2– ↔ Fe3+ + (F–, OH–) active in the structure of the mineral.

The new mineral alwilkinsite-(Y) (IMA2015-097), Y(H2O)7[(UO2)3(SO4)2O(OH)3]·7H2O, was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase.The mineral is slightly flexible before brittle failure with splintery fracture and perfect cleavage parallel to [010], has Mohs hardness of ∼2–2½, exhibits dull greenish-grey fluorescence and has a calculated density of 3.371 g cm–3. Alwilkinsite-(Y) occursas yellowish-green needles, elongate on [010], with domatic terminations and exhibits the forms {102}, {301} and {124}. It is optically biaxial (+) with α = 1.573(1), β = 1.581(1), γ = 1.601(1) (white light), the measured 2V is 65.3(1)°, the dispersion is r<v (weak), the optical orientation is X = c, Y = a, Z = b and there is no pleochroism. Electron microprobe analyses yielded the empirical formula (Y0.66Dy0.08Gd0.06Er0.05Nd0.03Yb0.03Sm0.02Ce0.01)∑0.94(H2O)7[(UO2)3(S1.01O4)2O(OH)3]·7H2O.The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 9.88(100)(101,002), 7.47(13)(102), 5.621(17)(103,201), 4.483(18)(104), 3.886(14)(130,222), 3.322(46)(multiple), 3.223(13)(multiple) and 3.145(16)(034). Alwilkinsite-(Y) is orthorhombic,P212121, a = 11.6194(5), b = 12.4250(6), c = 19.4495(14) Å, V = 2807.9(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure of alwilkinsite-(Y) (R1 = 0.042 for 4244 Fo > 4σF)contains edge-sharing chains of uranyl bipyramids with outlying sulfate tetrahedra that are similar to the chain linkages within the uranyl sulfate sheets of the zippeite structure. Short segments of the uranyl sulfate chains in the alwilkinsite-(Y) structure have the same topology as portionsof the uranyl sulfate linkages in uranopilite. Alwilkinsite-(Y) is named for Alan (Al) J. Wilkins, MD (born 1955), the discoverer of the mineral.

The new mineral chinleite-(Y) (IMA2016-017), NaY(SO4)2·H2O, was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase. Chinleite-(Y) crystals are thin hexagonal {100} prisms (up to 0.3 mm long) with pyramidal terminations consisting of the forms {101} and {011}. Prisms are typically intergrown in divergent sprays, bow-tie aggregates or subparallel intergrowths. Crystals are colourless and transparent with a vitreous lustre. The streak is white and the mineral is nonfluorescent. The Mohs hardness is between 2½ and 3. Crystals are brittle with at least one good cleavage parallel to [001], probably {100}, and have splintery fracture. The mineral is slowly soluble in H2O at room temperature. The calculated density is 3.385 g cm–3. The mineralis optically uniaxial (+), with ω = 1.565(1) and ε = 1.603(1) (white light). Electron microprobe analyses yielded the empirical formula (Na0.507Ca0.285Y0.176)∑0.968(Y0.724Dy0.110Er0.053Gd0.037Ho0.021Yb0.013Nd0.014Eu0.005Sm0.008Ce0.010Pr0.003La0.002)∑1.000(SO4)2·H1.401O.The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 6.01(59)(100), 5.43(63)(011), 3.457(46)(110), 3.010(100)(200), 2.826(95)(014), 2.1365(39)(006,122), 1.8493(67)(214) and 1.6901(28)(125,034). Chinleite-(Y) is trigonal, P3221,a = 6.890(2), c = 12.767(2) Å, V = 524.9(3) Å3 and Z = 3. The structure of chinleite-(Y) (R1 = 0.0444 for 303 Fo > 4σF), a three-dimensional framework, consisting of SO4 groups, irregular NaO8 polyhedra and YO9 distorted tricapped trigonal prisms, is similar to the structure of bassanite.

Mendeleevite-(Nd), (Cs,□)6(□,Cs)6(□,K)6(REE,Ca)30(Si70O175)(OH,H2O,F)35 is a new mineral from the Darai-Pioz alkaline massif, Tajikistan. Mendeleevite-(Nd) was found in a pectolite aggregate in silexites (quartz-rich rocks) which consist of fine to medium pectolite grains, quartz, aegirine and fluorite, with minor khvorovite, mendeleevite-(Ce), sokolovaite, hyalotekite, orlovite, kirchhoffite, pekovite, neptunite, zeravshanite, senkevichite, nordite-(Nd), alamosite, pyrochlore-group minerals and baratovite. Mendeleevite-(Nd) forms colourless cubic crystals 10–40 μm in size; it has a vitreous lustre and a Mohs hardness of 5–5.5; Dmeas. = 3.20(2) g/cm3, Dcalc. = 3.155 g/cm3. Mendeleevite-(Nd) is optically isotropic, with the refractive index n = 1.582(2). Mendeleevite-(Nd) is cubic, space group Pm3̄, a = 21.9106(4) Å; Z = 2. The six strongest reflections in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [d (Å), I (%), (h k l)] are: 11.01, 100, (0 0 2); 15.63, 55, (0 1 1); 3.47, 42, (2 0 6); 3.099, 42, (3 4 5); 2.192, 42, (0 0 10); 1.819, 41, (3 6 10). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave SiO2 42.30, Ce2O3 10.12, La2O3 3.60, Nd2O3 16.19, Pr2O3 2.79, Sm2O3 4.19, Gd2O3 1.69, Eu2O3 0.47, SrO 2.99, CaO 2.20, Cs2O 8.50, K2O 0.85, H2O 3.85, F 1.25, –O = F2 –0.53, sum 100.46 wt.%, with H2O calculated by analogy with mendeleevite-(Ce). The empirical formula based on 210 (O + F) apfu, with F + OH + H2O = 35 pfu, is Cs6(□4.20K1.80)∑6{[(Nd9.57Ce6.13Sm2.39La2.20Pr1.68Gd0.93Eu0.27)∑23.17(Ca3.90Sr2.87)∑6.77]∑29.94□0.06}∑30(Si70.03O175)(OH14.47F6.54)∑21.01 (H2O)14, Z = 2. The simplified and ideal formulae are (Cs,□)6 (□,Cs)6(□,K)6 (REE,Ca)30 (Si70O175)(OH, H2O,F)35 and Cs6(REE23Ca7)(Si70O175)(OH,F)19(H2O)16, respectively. The compatibility index (from measured density) = – 0.039 (excellent). Mendeleevite-(Nd) is a Nd analogue of mendeleevite-(Ce), (Cs,□)6(□,Cs)6(□,K)6(REE,Ca,□)30(Si70O175)(H2O,OH,F,□)35. Both minerals are named after Dmitri Mendeleev (1834–1907), the great Russian chemist, author of the periodic table of chemical elements, who has had a significant impact on the development of natural sciences and industry, both in Russia and around the world.

The crystal structure of veenite is reported for the first time from a sample from the type locality of Madoc (Ontario, Canada). It has been solved and refined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction on the basis of 4973 observed reflections (with Fo > 4σ(Fo)) with a final R1 = 0.0396. Veenite is monoclinic P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 8.429(2), b = 26.069(5), c = 8.962(2) Å, β = 117.447(2)o. The bulk veenite composition is Ag0.15Pb16.029Sb8.836As6.99S39.95 (for Z = 1) corresponding to N = 4.09 (Me8NS8N + 8, theoretical value is 4.0), with the percentage of the Ag-(As,Sb) substituted end-member only equal to 3.51 mol.%, i.e., a nearly pure Pb-Sb-As sulfosalt. The crystal structure is typical for the N = 4 sartorite homologue, with zig-zag walls of trigonal coordination prisms of Pb which separate slabs of diagonally oriented double-layers populated by Sb and As with partial Pb substitution. Orientation of three-membered crankshaft chains formed by strong (As,Sb) – S bonds on the two surfaces of double-layers differs substantially from that in dufrénoysite, which is a pure Pb-As (N = 4) sulfosalt.

Fluorcaphite [SrCaCa3(PO4)3F] is a rare strontium-calcium member of the apatite supergroup which was previously known only from the Khibiny and Lovozero alkaline complexes. This paper presents evidence of a third fluorcaphite occurrence. It was found in hydrothermally altered Lower Cretaceous teschenite, which forms an intrusive body (probably a sill) in the Lower Cretaceous siliciclastic flysch sediments at Tichá near Frenštát pod Radhoštěm, Silesian Unit, Outer Western Carpathians (Czech Republic). Fluorcaphite occurs as an accessory mineral in hydrothermal veins and in an adjacent alteration zone within the host teschenite. Vein-hosted fluorcaphite forms euhedral crystals and skeletal crusts enclosed in analcime while the teschenite-hosted fluorcaphite forms small overgrowths on older phenocrysts of magmatic apatite. Fluorcaphite from Tichá contains 0.50–1.97 Sr apfu, 2.96–4.49 Ca apfu, 0.59–1.09 F apfu and significantly lower Na (0.01–0.05 apfu) and LREE contents (up to 0.07 apfu). Fluorcaphite formed under hydrothermal conditions after solidification of the host teschenite during post-magmatic hydrothermal activity at temperatures probably between ∼150 and 300°C. The initial 87Sr/86Sr ratio of vein-hosted analcime +fluorcaphite (0.7063) is significantly higher than those of the host teschenite (0.7041). We therefore suggest a mix of strontium sources in the vein analcime+fluorcaphite: (1) from the host teschenite plus (2) from external source(s) including the Lower Cretaceous seawater and/or surrounding sedimentary rocks of the Silesian Unit. These data indicate an open-system fluid regime and the participation of various fluid sources during the alteration event giving rise to fluorcaphite.

Hydroxycalciomicrolite, Ca1.5Ta2O6(OH) is a new microlite-group mineral found in the Volta Grande pegmatite, Nazareno, Minas Gerais, Brazil. It occurs as isolated octahedral and as a combination of octahedral and rhombic dodecahedral crystals, up to1.5 mm in size. The crystals are yellow and translucent, with a white streak and vitreous to resinous lustre. The mineral is brittle, with a Mohs hardness of 5–6. Cleavage is not observed and fracture is conchoidal. The calculated density is 6.176 g cm–3. Hydroxycalciomicroliteis isotropic, ncalc. = 2.010. The infrared and Raman spectra exhibit bands due to O–H stretching vibrations. The chemical composition determined from electron microprobe analysis (n = 13) is (wt.%): Na2O 0.36(8), CaO 15.64(13), SnO2 0.26(3),Nb2O5 2.82(30), Ta2O5 78.39(22), MnO 0.12(2), F 0.72(12) and H2O 1.30 (from the crystal structure data), O = F –0.30, total 99.31(32), yielding an empirical formula, (Ca1.48Na0.06Mn0.01)∑1.55(Ta1.88Nb0.11Sn0.01)∑2.00O6.00[(OH)0.76F0.20O0.04].Hydroxycalciomicrolite is cubic, with unit-cell parameters a = 10.4205(1) Å, V = 1131.53(2) Å3 and Z = 8. It represents a pyrochlore supergroup, microlite-group mineral exhibiting P4332 symmetry, instead of Fd3m. Thereduction in symmetry is due to long-range ordering of Ca and vacancies on the A sites. This is the first example of such ordering in a natural pyrochlore, although it is known from synthetic compounds. This result is promising because it suggests that other species with P4332or lower-symmetry space group can be discovered and characterized.

Omariniite, ideally Cu8Fe2ZnGe2S12, represents the Ge-analogue of stannoidite and was found in bornite-chalcocite-rich ores near the La Rosario vein of the Capillitas epithermal deposit, Catamarca Province, Argentina. The mineral is associated closely with three other Ge-bearing minerals (putzite, catamarcaite, rarely zincobriartite) and bornite, chalcocite, digenite, covellite, sphalerite, tennantite, luzonite, wittichenite, thalcusite and traces of mawsonite. The width of the seams rarely exceeds 60 μm, their length can attain several 100 μm. The mineral is opaque, orange-brown in polished section, has a metallic lustre and a brownish-black streak. It is brittle, and the fracture is irregular to subconchoidal. Neither cleavage nor parting are observable in the sections. In plane-polarized light omariniite is brownish-orange and has a weak pleochroism. Internal reflections are absent. The mineral is distinctly anisotropic with rotation tints varying between brownish-orange and greenish-brown. The average result of 45 electron-microprobe analyses is Cu 42.18(34), Fe 9.37(26), Zn 5.17(43), In 0.20(6), Ge 11.62(22), S 31.80(20), total 100.34(46) wt.%. The empirical formula, based on Σ(Me + S) = 25, is Cu8.04(Fe2.03In0.02)Σ2.05Zn0.96 Ge1.94S12.01, ideally Cu8+Fe2+Zn2+Ge24+S122-. Omariniite is orthorhombic, space group I222, with unit-cell parameters: a = 10.774(1), b = 5.3921(5), c = 16.085(2) Å, V = 934.5(2) Å3, a:b:c = 1.9981:1:2.9831, Z = 2. X-ray single-crystal studies (R1 = 0.023) revealed the structure to be a sphalerite derivative identical to that of stannoidite. Omariniite is named after Dr. Ricardo Héctor Omarini (1946–2015), Professor at the University of Salta, for his numerous contributions to the geology of Argentina.