Barioferrite BaFe<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript>: A new mineral species of the magnetoplumbite group from the Haturim Formation in Israel

A new mineral barioferrite—a natural analogue of synthetic barium ferrite Ba Fe ₁₂ ³⁺ O₁₉—has been identified in the central part of a metamorphosed barite nodule in the rock of the Haturim Formation (Mottled Zone) on the southern slope of Mount Ye’elim in Israel. The mineral is associated with barite, calcite, magnetite, and maghemite and occurs as tiny platy crystals up to 3 × 15 × 15 μm and their irregular aggregates. Barioferrite is black with streaks of brown, and its luster is submetallic. Its Calculated density is 5.31 g/cm³. The mineral is brittle; cleavage is absent. IR absorption bands (cm^?1) are observed at 635 (shoulder), 582, 544, 433, and 405 (shoulder). Barioferrite is characterized by ferrimagnetic behavior. Under a microscope in reflected light, barioferrite is grayish white with brownish red internal reflections, the pleochroism is weak (from gray-white on R _o to gray-white with a brown tint on R _e), and the bireflectance is weak with distinct anisotropy. The reflectance values of R _o/R _e, % (λ, nm) are 24.51/22.80 (470), 24.17/22.25 (546), 23.65/21.68 (589), and 22.67/20.85 (650). The chemical composition (electron microprobe, wt %; the ranges are given in parentheses) is BaO 13.13 (12.5–13.8), Fe₂O₃ 86.47 (85.5–87.5), and 99.60 in total. The empirical formula is Ba_0.95Fe _12.03 ³⁺ O₁₉. Barioferrite is hexagonal with space group P6₃/mmc, a = 5.875 (3) Å, c = 23.137 (19) Å, V = 691.6 (5) ų, and Z = 2. The strongest lines of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d, Å, (I, 5) (hkl)] are 2.938(46) (110), 2.770(100) (107), 2.624 (84) (114, 200), 2.420(44) (203), 2.225(40) (205), and 1.627(56) (304, 2.0.11). The holotype specimen of barioferrite is deposited at the Mineralogical Museum of St. Petersburg State University; its catalogue number is 1/19436.     

Eurekadumpite, (Cu,Zn)16(TeO3)2(AsO4)3Cl(OH)18·7H2O, a new supergene mineral species

A new mineral eurekadumpite found at the Centennial Eureka Mine in the Tintic district of Juab County in Utah in the United States occurs in the oxidation zone along with quartz, macalpineite, malachite, Zn-bearing olivenite, goethite, and Mn oxides. Eurekadumpite forms spherulites or rosettes up to 1 mm in size and their clusters and crusts up to 1.5 cm² in cavities. Its individuals are divergent and extremely thin (up to 0.5 mm across and less than 1 μm thick) hexagonal or roundish leaflets. The mineral is deep blue-green or turquoise-colored. Its streaks are light turquoise-colored. Its luster is satiny in aggregates and pearly on individual flakes. Its cleavage is (010) perfect and micalike. Its flakes are flexible but inelastic. Its Mohs hardness is 2.5–3.0, and D(meas) = 3.76(2) and D(calc) = 3.826 g/cm³. The mineral is optically biaxial negative, and α = 1.69(1), β ∼ γ = 1.775(5), and 2V _meas = 10(5)°. Its pleochroism is strong: Y = Z = deep blue-green, and X = light turquoise-colored. Its orientation is X = b. The wavenumbers of the bands in the IR spectrum (cm⁻¹; the strong lines are underlined, and w denotes the weak bands) are 3400, 2990, 1980w, 1628, 1373w, 1077, 1010, 860, 825, 803, 721w, 668, 622, 528, 461. The IR spectrum shows the occurrence of the tellurite (Te⁴⁺,O₃)²⁻ and arsenate (As⁵⁺,O₄)³⁻ anionic groups and H₂O molecules; Cu and Zn cations are combined with OH⁻ groups. The chemical composition of eurekadumpite is as follows (wt %, average of 14 electron-microprobe analyses; H₂O determined using the Alimarin method): 0.04 FeO, 36.07 CuO, 20.92 ZnO, 14.02 TeO₂, 14.97 As₂O₅, 1.45 Cl, 13.1 H₂O, O = Cl₂ −0.33, total 100.24. The empirical formula based on 2 Te atoms is (Cu_10.32Zn_5.85Fe_0.01)_Σ16.18(TeO₃)₂(AsO₄)_2.97[Cl_0.93(OH)_0.07]_Σ1(OH)_18.45 · 7.29H₂O. The idealized formula is (Cu,Zn)₁₆(TeO₃)₂(AsO₄)₃Cl(OH)₁₈ · 7H₂O. Eurekadumpite is monoclinic (pseudohexagonal), and the most probable space groups are P2/m, P2, or Pm. The unit-cell parameters refined from the powder X-ray data are as follows: a = 8.28(3), b = 18.97(2), c = 7.38(2) ?, β = 121.3(6)°, V = 990(6) ?³, and Z = 1. The strongest reflections of the X-ray powder pattern (d, ? (I) [hkl]) are as follows: 18.92(100) [010], 9.45(19) [020], 4.111(13) [[`2]\bar 2 01], 3.777(24) [050, [`2]\bar 2 21, 041], 2.692(15) [[`3]\bar 3 11, 151, [`3]\bar 3 02], 2.524(41)[170, [`2]\bar 2 52, [`1]\bar 1 71], 1.558(22) [[`4]\bar 4 82, [`3]\bar 3 .10.1, 024]. The name of the mineral means, firstly, that it was found in specimens from dumps of the Centennial Eureka Mine. In addition, it could mean found in a dump (the Greek word eureka means I have found it). There is an allusion to the great role that dumps of abandoned mines have played in the discovery of new minerals. Type specimens are deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow, at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, and at the American Museum of Natural History in New York.     

The Pseudobrookite Group: Crystal Chemical Features of the Armalcolite Fe2+ Analogue

Doklady Earth Sciences - The crystal structure of a potentially new mineral, the Fe2+-dominant analogue of armalcolite with the idealized formula Fe2+Ti2O5 has been solved. The sample studied...     

Oxides of the Pyrochlore Supergroup from a Nonsulfide Endogenic Assemblage of Pb–Zn–Sb–As Minerals in the Pelagonian Massif,Macedonia

Geology of Ore Deposits - The specific features of the chemical composition, isomorphism, and zoning have been studied for pyrochlore supergroup minerals (PSM) from metasomatic rocks of ore...     

Perrierite-(La), (La,Ce,Ca)4(Fe2+,Mn)(Ti,Fe3+,Al)4(Si2O7)2O8, a new mineral species from the Eifel volcanic district, Germany

Non-metamict perrierite-(La) discovered in the Dellen pumice quarry, near Mendig, in the Eifel volcanic district, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany has been approved as a new mineral species (IMA no. 2010-089). The mineral was found in the late assemblage of sanidine, phlogopite, pyrophanite, zirconolite, members of the jacobsite-magnetite series, fluorcalciopyrochlore, and zircon. Perrierite-(La) occurs as isolated prismatic crystals up to 0.5 × 1 mm in size within cavities in sanidinite. The new mineral is black with brown streak; it is brittle, with the Mohs hardness of 6 and distinct cleavage parallel to (001). The calculated density is 4.791 g/cm³. The IR spectrum does not contain absorption bands that correspond to H₂O and OH groups. Perrierite-(La) is biaxial (-), α = 1.94(1), β = 2.020(15), γ = 2.040(15), 2V _meas = 50(10)°, 2V _calc = 51°. The chemical composition (electron microprobe, average of seven point analyses, the Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ ratio determined from the X-ray structural data, wt %) is as follows: 3.26 CaO, 22.92 La₂O₃, 19.64 Ce₂O₃, 0.83 Pr₂O₂, 2.09 Nd₂O₃, 0.25 MgO, 2.25 MnO, 3.16 FeO, 5.28 Fe₂O₃, 2.59 Al₂O₃, 16.13 TiO₂, 0.75 Nb₂O₅, and 20.06 SiO₂, total is 99.21. The empirical formula is (La_1.70Ce_1.45Nd_0.15Pr_0.06Ca_0.70)_Σ4.06(Fe _0.53 ²⁺ Mn_0.38Mg_0.08)_Σ0.99(Ti_2.44Fe _0.80 ³⁺ Al_0.62Nb_0.07)_Σ3.93Si_4.04O₂₂. The simplified formula is (La,Ce,Ca)₄(Fe²⁺,Mn)(Ti,Fe³⁺,Al)₄(Si₂O₇)₂O₈. The crystal structure was determined by a single crystal. Perrierite-(La) is monoclinic, space group P2₁/a, and the unit-cell dimensions are as follows: a =13.668(1), b = 5.6601(6), c = 11.743(1) Å, β = 113.64(1)°; V = 832.2(2) ų, Z = 2. The strong reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)]: 5.19 (40) (110), 3.53 (40) ( $\overline 3 $ 11), 2.96 (100) ( $\overline 3 $ 13, 311), 2.80 (50) (020), 2.14 (50) ( $\overline 4 $ 22, $\overline 3 $ 15, 313), 1.947 (50) (024, 223), 1.657 (40) ( $\overline 4 $ 07, $\overline 4 $ 33, 331). The holotype specimen of perrierite-(La) is deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, with the registration number 4059/1.     

Kyanoxalite,a new cancrinite-group mineral species with extraframework oxalate anion from the Lovozero alkaline pluton,Kola Peninsula

Kyanoxalite, a new member of the cancrinite group, has been identified in hydrothermally altered hyperalkaline rocks and pegmatites of the Lovozero alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia. It was found at Mount Karnasurt (holotype) in association with nepheline, aegirine, sodalite, nosean, albite, lomonosovite, murmanite, fluorapatite, loparite, and natrolite and at Mt. Alluaiv. Kyanoxalite is transparent, ranging in color from bright light blue, greenish light blue and grayish light blue to colorless. The new mineral is brittle, with a perfect cleavage parallel to (100). Mohs hardness is 5–5.5. The measured and calculated densitiesare 2.30(1) and 2.327 g/cm³, respectively. Kyanoxalite is uniaxial, negative, ω = 1.794(1), ɛ = 1.491(1). It is pleochroic from colorless along E to light blue along O. The IR spectrum indicates the presence of oxalate anions C₂O₄²⁻ and water molecules in the absence of CO₃²⁻ Oxalate ions are confirmed by anion chromatography. The chemical composition (electron microprobe; water was determined by a modified Penfield method and carbon was determined by selective sorption from annealing products) is as follows, wt %: 19.70 Na₂O, 1.92 K₂O, 0.17 CaO, 27.41 Al₂O₃, 38.68 SiO₂, 0.64 P₂O₅, 1.05 SO₃, 3.23 C₂O₃, 8.42 H₂O; the total is 101.18. The empirical formula (Z = 1) is (Na_6.45K_0.41Ca_0.03)_Σ6.89(Si_6.53Al_5.46O₂₄)[(C₂O₄)_0.455(SO₄)_0.13(PO₄)_0.09(OH)_0.01]_Σ0.68 · 4.74H₂O. The idealized formula is Na₇(Al₅₋₆Si₆₋₇O₂₄)(C₂O₄)_0.5−1 · 5H₂O. Kyanoxalite is hexagonal, the space group is P6₃, a = 12.744(8), c = 5.213(6) -ray powder diffraction pattern are as follows, [d, [A] (I, %)(hkl)]: 6.39(44) (110), 4.73 (92) (101), 3.679 (72) (300), 3.264 (100) (211, 121), 2.760 (29) (400), 2.618 (36) (002), 2.216, (29) (302, 330). According to the X-ray single crystal study (R = 0.033), two independent C₂O₄ groups statistically occupy the sites on the axis 6₃. The new mineral is the first natural silicate with an additional organic anion and is the most hydrated member of the cancrinite group. Its name reflects the color (κɛανgoΣς is light blue in Greek) and the species-forming role of oxalate anions. The holotype is deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, registration no. 3735/1.     

Shlykovite KCa[Si4O9(OH)] · 3H2O and cryptophyllite K2Ca[Si4O10] · 5H2O, new mineral species from the Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia

New minerals, shlykovite and cryptophyllite, hydrous Ca and K phyllosilicates, have been identified in hyperalkaline pegmatite at Mount Rasvumchorr, Khibiny alkaline pluton, Kola Peninsula, Russia. They are the products of low-temperature hydrothermal activity and are associated with aegirine, potassium feldspar, nepheline, lamprophyllite, eudialyte, lomonosovite, lovozerite, tisinalite, shcherbakovite, shafranovskite, ershovite, and megacyclite. Shlykovite occurs as lamellae up to 0.02 × 0.02 × 0.5 mm in size or fibers up to 0.5 mm in length usually combined in aggregates up to 3 mm in size, crusts, and parallel-columnar veinlets. Cryptophyllite occurs as lamellae up to 0.02 × 0.1 × 0.2 mm in size intergrown with shlykovite being oriented parallel to {001} or chaotically arranged. Separate crystals of the new minerals are transparent and colorless; the aggregates are beige, brownish, light cream, and pale yellowish-grayish. The cleavage is parallel to (001) perfect. The Mohs hardness of shlykovite is 2.5–3. The calculated densities of shlykovite and cryptophyllite are 2.444 and 2.185 g/cm³, respectively. Both minerals are biaxial; shlykovite: 2V _meas = −60(20)°; cryptophyllite: 2V _meas > 70°. The refractive indices are: shlykovite: α = 1.500(3), β = 1.509(2), γ = 1.515(2); cryptophyllite: α = 1.520(2), β = 1.523(2), γ = 1.527(2). The chemical composition of shlykovite determined by an electron microprobe (H₂O determined from total deficiency) is as follows, wt %: 0.68 Na₂O, 11.03 K₂O, 13.70 CaO, 59.86 SiO₂, 14.73 H₂O; the total is 100.00. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 13 O atoms (OH/H₂O calculated from the charge balance) is (K_0.96Na_0.09)_Σ1.05Ca_1.00Si_4.07O_9.32(OH)_0.68 · 3H₂O. The idealized formula is KCa[Si₄O₉(OH)] · 3H₂O. The chemical composition of cryptophyllite determined by an electron microprobe (H₂O determined from the total deficiency) is as follows, wt %: 1.12 Na₂O, 17.73 K₂O, 11.59 CaO, 0.08 Al₂O₃, 50.24 SiO₂, 19.24 H₂O, the total is 100.00. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of (Si,Al)₄(O,OH)₁₀ (OH/H₂O calculated from the charge balance) is (K_1.80Na_0.17)_Σ1.97Ca_0.99Al_0.01Si_3.99O_9.94(OH)_0.06 · 5.07H₂O. The idealized formula is K₂Ca[Si₄O₁₀] · 5H₂O. The crystal structures of both minerals were solved on single crystals using synchrotron radiation. Shlykovite is monoclinic; the space group is P2₁/n; a = 6.4897(4), b = 6.9969(5), c = 26.714(2)?, β = 94.597(8)°, V = 1209.12(15)?³, Z = 4. Cryptophyllite is monoclinic; the space group is P2₁/n; a = 6.4934(14), b = 6.9919(5), c = 32.087(3)?, β = 94.680(12)°, V= 1451.9(4)?, Z = 4. The strongest lines of the X-ray powder patterns (d, ?-I, [hkl] are: shlykovite 13.33–100[002], 6.67–76[004], 6.47–55[100], 3.469–45[021], 3.068–57[$ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 21], 3.042–45[121], 2.945–62[ 23], 2.912–90[025, 12, 211]; cryptophyllite 16.01–100[002], 7.98–24[004], 6.24–48[101], 3.228–22[$ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 09], 3.197–27[0.0.10], 2.995–47[122], 2.903–84[123, 204, $ \bar 1 $ \bar 1 24, 211], 2.623–20[028, 08, 126]. Shlykovite and cryptophyllite are members of new related structural types. Their structures are based on a two-layer packet consisting of tetrahedral Si layers linked with octahedral Ca chains. Mountainite, shlykovite and cryptophyllite could be combined into the mountainite structural family. Shlykovite is named in memory of Russian geologist V. G. Shlykov (1941–2007); the name cryptophyllite is from the Greek words meaning concealed and leaf that allude to its layered structure (phyllosilicate) in combination with a lamellar habit and intimate intergrowths with visually indistinguishable shlykovite. Type specimens of the minerals are deposited at the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.     

Osumilite-(Mg): Validation as a mineral species and new data

Osumilite-(Mg), the Mg-dominant analogue of osumilite, has been approved by the CNMNC IMA as a new mineral species. The holotype sample has been found at Bellerberg, Eifel volcanic area, Germany. Fluorophlogopite, sanidine, cordierite, mullite, sillimanite, topaz, pseudobrookite and hematite are associated minerals. Osumilite-(Mg) occurs as short prismatic or thick tabular hexagonal crystals reaching 0.5 × 1 mm in size in the cavities in basaltic volcanic glasses at their contact with thermally metamorphosed xenoliths of pelitic rocks. The mineral is brittle, with Mohs’ hardness 6.5. Cleavage was not observed. Color is blue to brown. D _meas = 2.59(1), D _calc = 2.595 g/cm³. No bands corresponding to H₂O and OH-groups are in the IR spectrum. Osumilite-(Mg) is uniaxial (+), ω = 1.539(2), ? = 1.547(2). The chemical composition (electron microprobe, average of 5 point analyses, wt %) is: 0.08 Na₂O, 3.41 K₂O, 0.04 CaO, 7.98 MgO, 0.28 MnO, 21.57 Al₂O₃, 3.59 Fe₂O₃, 62.33 SiO₂, total 99.28. The empirical formula is: (K_0.72Na_0.03Ca_0.01)(Mg_1.97Mn_0.04)[Al_4.21Fe _0.45 ³⁺ Si_10.32]O₃₀. The simplified formula is: KMg₂Al₃(Al₂Si₁₀)O₁₀. The crystal structure was refined on a single crystal, R = 0.0294. Osumilite-(Mg) is hexagonal, space group P6/mcc; a = 10.0959(1), c = 14.3282(2)Å, V = 1264.79(6) ų, Z = 2. The strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d, Å I %) (hkl)] are: 7.21 (37) (002), 5.064 (85) (110), 4.137 (45) (112), 3.736 (43) (202), 3.234 (100) (211), 2.932 (42) (114), 2.767 (51) (204). A type specimen is deposited in the Fersman Mineralogical Museum, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, registration number 4174/1.