Albertiniite, Fe2+(SO3)·3H2O, is a new Fe2+ sulfite trihydrate, related chemically to gravegliaite. It occurs at the Monte Falò Pb-Zn mine near Coiromonte, in the Armeno Municipality, Verbano–Cusio–Ossola Province, Italy. It is an intermediate product of oxidation between iron sulfides and sulfates, forming monoclinic, colourless to pale yellow, transparent crystals with a vitreous lustre. The mineral occurs associated with stolzite, pyromorphite, hinsdalite, plumbogummite, gibbsite, scheelite and jarosite on brittle fractures of quartz veins or chlorite-schist. Albertiniite is optically biaxial (+) with 2V(meas) ≈ 40° and 2V(calc) = 66°. The measured refractive indices, using sodium light (589 nm) are: α = 1.612(2)°, β = 1.618(2)° and γ = 1.632(2)°. The optical axis plane is parallel to the perfect {010} cleavage plane. It is non-fluorescent under shortwave (254 nm) or longwave (366 nm) ultraviolet light. The calculated density is 2.469 g cm–3 (from the crystal-structure refinement), or 2.458 g cm–3 (from the chemical analysis and the single-crystal unit-cell parameters). The empirical formula is (average of 16 spots and based on 3 anhydrous oxygen apfu) (Ca0.001Mg0.001Na0.003)∑1.061(S0.971O3)·2.84H2O, with the H2O content calculated by difference to 100 wt.%. Albertiniite is monoclinic, with space group P21/n. Its unit-cell parameters are: a = 6.633(1), b = 8.831(1), c = 8.773(1) Å, β = 96.106(8)° and V = 511.0(1) Å3, with Z = 4. The eight strongest measured lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [d in Å, (I/I0), (hkl)]: 4.072 (100) (1̄11), 3.539 (93) (1̄12), 5.533 (27) (1̄01), 6.167 (14) (011), 2.830 (14) (211), 4.998 (14) (101), 4.353 (12) (111) and 3.897 (12) (012). The mineral, which has been approved by the CNMNC, number IMA2015-004, is named albertiniite in honour of Claudio Albertini, an Italian mineral collector and expert in the systematic mineralogy of the Alps and pegmatites.

The variation in the structural state of potassium feldspars from the St. George pluton, New Brunswick, Canada, is discussed. Monoclinic potassium feldspars occur near the eastern end of the pluton whereas the granites at the western end contain triclinic potassium feldspars. Although the bulk compositions of the host rocks are all very near the granite minimum melt composition there is a systematic increase in the degree of ordering for both the triclinic and monoclinic suites of feldspars with the more ordered variants tending to occur within rocks nearest the minimum melt composition. There is more abundant textural evidence for the presence of a late-stage fluid phase in the granites containing the monoclinic potassium feldspars. It is proposed that a slower post-crystallization cooling rate was also a factor in the nucleation of triclinic domains in the potassium feldspars at the western end of the pluton.

An occurrence of the magnesian zeolite ferrierite at Unanderra, New South Wales, represents the first reported locality for this mineral in Australia. The ferrierite occurs in vesicles in latite and is associated with heulandite, laumontite, and calcite. Its crystal morphology is essentially similar to that of specimens from the type locality at Kamloops Lake in British Columbia. EPMA results are given for the Unanderra ferrierite and its chemistry relative to other known occurrences is discussed. Unanderra ferrierite contains appreciably more SrO2 than other ferrierites, but is significantly lower in K2O and Na2O.

The structure of the high-temperature form of CaSeO4, formed by dehydration of the gyspum-type structure dihydrate is presented. The material is equivalent to that described previously as a P212121 form, but is however, a monazite with unit cell a = 6.85661(16) Å, b = 7.04962(15) Å, c = 6.68817(15) Å and β = 104.2675(21)° in space group P121/n1. Also presented is evidence for two intermediate trigonal and pseudo-trigonal phases related to the structurally similar minerals rhabdophane, bassanite, and γ-CaSO4. This result permits closer comparisons between intermediate-temperature structures of the selenate with related sulphates, and orthophosphates with a view to extending structural stability via synthesis of solid-solutions.

Infrared powder-absorption spectra of ten synthetic P21/c pyroxenes with compositions in the clinoenstatite–clinoferrosilite system have been collected at room temperature in the range 50–1500 cm−1. Variations of peak positions as a function of Fe content have been obtained for those vibrational bands whose trend could be followed across the solid solution. Local elastic strains arising from cation substitution have been quantified by means of the autocorrelation function, which gives a measure (Δcorr) proportional to the line width of the IR bands. The structure of clinoenstatite appears to be very homogeneous, whereas Fe-rich pyroxenes have high degrees of local structural hetereogeneities. A positive deviation from linearity of the Δcorr values is observed in the spectral region between 100 and 250 cm−1 and may be indicative of a positive excess enthalpy of mixing of this solid solution. At higher energies the large changes in the phonon spectra as Fe content increases are associated with rotation and deformation of the tetrahedral chains for accommodating the larger cation. The results are compared with similar studies on other chain silicates.

A study of apatite crystals from the Asio mine, Japan, showed sectoral texture related to the growth of the crystal, and with optically biaxial properties within the sectors. Wet chemical analysis gave a composition Ca5(PO4)3(F0.64,OH0.38,Cl0.01)1.03 for the specimen.

Additional diffraction spots were not observed in precession and oscillation X-ray photographs and electron diffraction photographs. Since the internal textures correlate with the surface growth features, it is suggested that the internal textures and the unusual optical properties were produced during nonequilibrium crystal growth. The fluorine/hydroxyl sites in hexagonal apatite are symmetrically equivalent in the solid crystal but, at a growth surface, this equivalence may be lost, resulting in a reduction of crystal symmetry. Heating of the apatite to about 850°C results in the almost complete disappearance of the optical anomalies due to disordering, which may be related to the loss of hydroxyl from the crystal.

Manganese incorporation in synthetic hercynite, and partitioning between hercynite and silicate melt synthesized at 1.0 GPa, 1250°C, and at an fO2 buffered by Fe–FeO, has been studied by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray structure refinement. Spectra indicate the presence of both Mn2+ and Mn3+ (and possibly also Mn4+) in synthetic hercynite and partitioning of Mn2+ into the melt phase, and Mn3+ into hercynite, respectively, under run conditions. X-ray refinement is consistent with partial disorder of Fe and Al across tetrahedral and octahedral sites. A higher than expected degree of Fe-Al disorder in the Mn-bearing hercynite can be explained by preferential incorporation of Mn2+ onto the tetrahedral site, and indicates that Fe-Al disorder in pure, stoichiometric hercynite cannot necessarily be used to determine closure temperatures in natural spinel. However, partitioning of Mn2+ and Mn3+ between melt and hercynite suggests that Mn incorporation in hercynite could be used as a measure of fO2 conditions in magmas during spinel crystallization.

A uranopilite from The South Alligator River, Northern Territory, Australia, has been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with EDAX attachment, and thermogravimetry in conjunction with evolved gas mass spectrometry. The XRD shows that the mineral is a pure uranopilite with few if any impurities. The SEM images show that the uranopilite consists of elongated crystals, up to 50μm long and 5 μm wide. Thermogravimetry combined with mass spectrometry shows that dehydration occurs at ∼31°C resulting in the formation of metauranopilite. The first dehydration step over 20–71°C corresponds to a decrease of 5.4 wt.%, equivalent to 6.076 H2O. The second dehydration step, over the temperature range 71 –162.4°C corresponds to a decrease of 4.7 wt.%, equivalent to 5.288 H2O, making a total of 11.364 moles of H2O, close to 12 H2O for uranopilite.

Dehydroxylation takes place over the temperature range 80–160°C. The loss of sulphate occurs at higher temperatures in two steps at 622 and 636°C. A mass loss also occurs at 755°C, accounted for by evolved oxygen.

Structural modifications with temperature of adamite, Zn2(AsO4)(OH), were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction up to dehydration and collapse of the crystal structure. In the temperature range 25–400°C, adamite shows positive and linear expansion. Axial thermal expansion coefficients, determined over this temperature range, are αa = 1.06(2) × 10–5 K–1, αb = 1.99(2) × 10–5 K–1, αc = 3.7(1) × 10–6 K–1 and αV = 3.43(3) × 10–5 K–1. Axial expansion is then strongly anisotropic with αa:αb:αc = 2.86: 5.38 : 1. Structure refinements of X-ray diffraction data collected at different temperatures allowed us to characterize the mechanisms by which the adamite structure accommodates variations in temperature. Expansion is limited mainly by edge sharing Zn(2) dimers along a and by edge sharing Zn(1) octahedra chains along c; on the other hand, connections of polyhedra along b, the direction of maximum expansion, is governed by corner sharing. Increasing temperature induces mainly an axial expansion of Zn(1) octahedron, which becomes more elongated, and no significant variations of the Zn(2) trigonal bipyramids and As tetrahedra. Starting from 400°C, deviation from a linear evolution of unit-cell parameters is observed, associated with some deterioration of the crystal, a sign of incipient dehydration. The process leads to the formation of Zn4(AsO4)2O.

Borehole samples from the Wildmoor Sandstone Formation have been analysed for whole-rock major and trace elements and the mineralogy determined by X-ray diffraction and conventional thin sections. The forty-two samples studied were obtained from boreholes drilled in a long established effluent site and from control boreholes away from the site. Elements are associated with one or more of calcite, quartz, K-feldspar, and clay plus oxide. The most important mineralogical change due to current infiltration is progressive loss of calcite. Background element concentrations are established and only Pb, and in one sample Cu and Zn, are found in higher concentrations representing anthropogenic additions to the system.

Partially melted basalts enclosing amygdales which have been completely melted formed at Scawt Hill adjacent to a Tertiary dolerite plug. Melting of the basalts commenced in a clay-rich mesostasis to produce a feldspathic liquid which then crystallized to an assemblage of dendritic olivine, skeletal hypersthene, opaque oxide and Mg-hercynite in a microcrystalline plagioclase matrix. An original mineral assemblage of zeolite, calcite, and saponite-nontronite in the amygdales melted and quenched to a brown glass now containing complexly zoned pyroxenes with plagioclase and opaque oxide. Melting commenced between 700–800°C, reaching a maximum temperature of 1168°C, and was followed by rapid cooling. The assimilation of remelted basalt may alter the course of crystallization of contaminated magmas.

Wupatkiite (Co,Mg,Ni)Al2(SO4)4.22H2O is a new member of the halotrichite group. It occurs 8 miles ESE of Gray Mountain, Arizona, near the prehistoric pueblo dwelling Wupatki. It occurs as cross-fibre veinlets with fibres up to 8mm long. Colour: empire rose (RHS48C), streak white, H. = 1 ½. G = 1.92, D(calc) = 1.87g/cm3. Nonpleochroic with α = 1.477, γ = 1.484, Z^fibre axis = 12°. Wet chemistry gave MgO 1.63, CaO 0.10, MnO 0.17, FeO 0.15, NiO 0.52, CuO 0.12, CoO 3.41, Al2O3 11.30, SO3 35.97, H2O 42.26 (total 95.63%); rem. = montmorillonite and quartz. Parameters refinedo from the powder pattern are close to those of halotrichite. Wupatkiite is monoclinic P21/c with a = 6.189 Å, b = 24.23 Å, c = 21.20 Å, β = 100.33°. Strongest lines are 4.790, 100 (024); 4.295, 27 (140); 3.945, 26 (025); 3.768, 33 (062); 3.494, 92 (124, 063).

Penberthycroftite, ideally [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5]·8H2O, is a new secondary aluminium arsenate mineral from the Penberthy Croft mine, St. Hilary, Cornwall, England, UK. It occurs as tufts of white, ultrathin (sub-micrometre) rectangular laths, with lateral dimensions generally < 20 μm. The laths are flattened on {010} and elongated on [100]. The mineral is associated with arsenopyrite, bettertonite, bulachite, cassiterite, chalcopyrite, chamosite, goethite, liskeardite, pharmacoalumite–pharmacosiderite and quartz. Penberthycroftite is translucent with a white streak and a vitreous to pearly lustre. The calculated density is 2.18 g/cm3. Optically, only the lower and upper refractive indices could be measured, 1.520(1) and 1.532(1) respectively. No pleochroism was observed. Electron microprobe analyses (average of 14) with H2O obtained from thermogravimetric analysis and analyses normalized to 100% gave Al2O3 = 31.3, Fe2O3 = 0.35, As2O5 = 34.1, SO3 = 2.15 and H2O = 32.1. The empirical formula, based on nine metal atoms and 26 framework anions is [Al5.96Fe0.04(As0.97Al0.03O4)3(SO4)0.26(OH)8.30(H2O)5.44](H2O)7.8, corresponding to the ideal formula [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)5]·8H2O. Penberthycroftite is monoclinic, space group P21/c with unit-cell dimensions (100 K): a = 7.753(2) Å, b = 24.679(5) Å, c = 15.679(3) Å and β = 94.19(3)°. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å(I) (hkl)] 13.264(46) (011); 12.402(16)(020); 9.732(100)(021); 7.420(28)(110); 5.670(8)(130); 5.423(6)(1̄31). The structure of penberthycroftite was solved using synchrotron single-crystal diffraction data and refined to wRobs = 0.059 for 1639 observed (I> 3σ(I)) reflections. Penberthycroftite has a heteropolyhedral layer structure, with the layers parallel to {010}. The layers are strongly undulating and their stacking produces large channels along [100] that are filled with water molecules. The layers are identical to those in bettertonite, but they are displaced relative to one another along [001] and [010] such that the interlayer volume is decreased markedly (by ∼10%)relative to that in bettertonite, with a corresponding reduction in the interlayer water content from 11 H2O per formula unit (pfu) in bettertonite to 8 H2O pfu in penberthycroftite.

The transmittance spectra of a synthetic alexandrite recorded along directions parallel to the three crystallographic axes are generally similar, but the observed colour changes along these directions under different light sources are quite different. Calculated hue-angle changes for the colours observed under different pairs of C.I.E. standard illuminants are the largest for light travelling parallel to the a-axis. Therefore, alexandrite should be cut as a gemstone with the top facet oriented parallel to (100) for it to show the most dramatic change in colour.

Parahopeite, Zn3(PO4)2.4H2O, is the triclinic dimorph of hopeite. The crystal structure of parahopeite has been determined to be similar to phosphophyllite, Zn2Fe(PO4)2.4H2O and to hopeite in that one of the two zinc atoms is six-coordinated and the other is four-coordinated. Parahopeite differs from the other two minerals though because one of the P-O tetrahedral oxygen atoms is bonded to both the six- and the four-coordinated cations. That is, all four tetrahedral oxygen atoms are bonded to the four-coordinated zinc in parahopeite, whereas in phosphophyllite and hopeite only three of these oxygen atoms are so bonded.