Alkali feldspars in plutonic igneous rocks vary both in their exsolution textures and in the structural state of their components. The primary factor leading to this diversity is the availability of hydrothermal fluids during their cooling history. In many plutons feldspar variation is related to degree of fractionation as indicated by rock chemistry. The variation reflects build-up of water with magmatic evolution and implies that fluids did not circulate freely in the intrusives in the temperature range of unmixing and ordering. Experimental work bearing on the role of fluids in subsolidus changes in feldspars is reviewed, and points of overlap between crystallographic studies of feldspars and stable isotope studies are discussed.

We describe a model for framework silicates in which the SiO4 (and AlO4) tetrahedra are treated as perfectly rigid and freely jointed. From this model we are able to identify low-energy modes of distortion of the structure, which we call Rigid unit modes. These modes can act as soft modes to allow easy distortions at phase transition. We discuss three forces that will operate at a phase transition in conjunction with the candidate soft modes to determine which of the rigid unit modes will actually precipitate a phase transition, and illustrate these ideas by detailed discussions of the phase transitions in quartz, leucite and cristobalite. The model can also be used to estimate the transition temperature, and the theory highlights an important role for the stiffness of the tetrahedra.

The crystal structure of the displacive ferroelectric mineral russellite, Bi2WO6, has been determined using Rietveld profile refinement of high-resolution, time of flight, neutron powder diffraction data on the synthetic compound. Russellite is orthorhombic, Pca21, with a 5.43726(2) Å, b 16.43018(5) Å, c 5.458422) Å, Z = 4 and is isostructural with the bismuth molybdate mineral koechlinite, Bi2MoO6. The structure consists of layers of tilted WO6 octahedra sandwiched between layers of bismuth and oxygen with the tungsten displaced from the centre of the octahedron by 0.278 Å. The orientations of the lone-pair electrons in the Bi3+ cations have been inferred from the 3.0 Å coordination shells of both crystallographically independent bismuths, and have been found to be non-centrosymmetric, an effect which may give rise to the tilting of the WO6 octahedra. New laboratory source X-ray powder diffraction data are presented for russellite, which, with supplementary synchrotron powder diffractometry, corroborate the new space group and structure determination.

Infra-red examination of a weathered biotite and of biotites that have been converted to vermiculites and subsequently oxidized, indicates that oxidation of octahedral ferrous ions to ferric ions is associated with a reversible conversion of hydroxyl ions to oxide ions. Subsequently, in high-iron biotites, there is an irreversible loss of ferric ions from the octahedral layer, resulting in an increased number of dioctahedral sites. Electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction indicate that ejected ferric ions form either amorphous interlayer oxides or, when bromine is used as an oxidant, a crystalline external phase of β-FeOOH. The high refractive index of some oxidized vermiculites is shown to be due largely to submicroscopic iron oxides.

More than 19,000 analytical data mainly from the literature were used to study statistically the distribution patterns of F and the oxides of minor and trace elements (Ti, Sn, Sc, V, Cr, Ga, Mn, Co, Ni, Zn, Sr, Ba, Rb, Cs) in trioctahedral micas of the system phlogopite-annite/siderophyllite-polylithionite (PASP), which is divided here into seven varieties, whose compositional ranges are defined by the parameter mgli (= octahedral Mg minus Li). Plots of trace-element contents vs. mgli reveal that the elements form distinct groups according to the configuration of their distribution patterns. Substitution of most of these elements was established as a function of mgli. Micas incorporate the elements in different abundances of up to four orders of magnitude between the concentration highs and lows in micas of ‘normal’ composition. Only Zn, Sr and Sc are poorly correlated to mgli. In compositional extremes, some elements (Zn, Mn, Ba, Sr, Cs, Rb) may be enriched by up to 2–3 orders of magnitude relative to their mean abundance in the respective mica variety. Mica/melt partition coefficients calculated for Variscan granites of the German Erzgebirge demonstrate that trace-element partitioning is strongly dependent on the position of the mica in the PASP system, which has to be considered in petrogenetic modelling.

This review indicates that for a number of trace elements, the concentration ranges are poorly known for some of the mica varieties, as they are for particular host rocks (i.e. igneous rocks of A-type affiliation). The study should help to develop optimal analytical strategies and to provide a tool to distinguish between micas of ‘normal’ and ‘abnormal’ trace-element composition.

An experimental and theoretical study has been made in order to determine the number and the structure of the possible polymorphs and to determine the structural relations between them. The simplest structures are 1M, 2M1, 2M2, 3T, 20, and 6H polymorphs, and more complicated types can be developed. Some of the previously described polymorphs were not contained in the theoretical list and were re-examined. The 6M structure was found to be a 2M2 polymorph, the 6-layer triclinic type was found to be a 2M1 polymorph, and the 3M structure was shown to be a 3T type. The 24-layer triclinic structure could be described on a simpler 8-layer cell. This type together with a new 12-layer monoclinic structure, as well as other structures of higher periodicity, presumably consists of complex stacking and results from spiral-growth mechanism. Two extreme types of layer-disordered crystals may be built and a disorder of individual ions may also occur. Single stacking faults result in twinned crystals. A new twin relation (180° rotation about the [100] axis) has been recognized. Twenty specimens from extreme geological environments have been examined in order to evaluate the control of environment on the stacking. The type of stacking could not be attributed solely to the influence of pressure and temperature. Composition appears to play a dominant role in the type of stacking, and semi-quantitative structural arguments appear to support this contention. The influence of growth mechanism is discussed. A scheme for the identification of the mica polymorphs by X-ray powder and single-crystal methods is given.

Strontium and Mg in calcite and aragonite are widely used as proxies of temperature in palaeoenvironmental reconstructions. We use X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) to examine Sr and Mg substitution in calcite and aragonite. We have measured the K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) of Mg and Sr-bearing calcite and aragonite, plus the carbonates: strontianite, hydromagnesite, magnesite, dolomite and a suite of calcites with differing amounts of Mg. The Sr substitutes ideally for Ca in aragonite but causes a small (2%) dilation of the site. Strontium substitutes for octahedral Ca in calcite but with a 6.5% dilation and distortion. Magnesium in the calcites studied provides a variable XANES indicating that the Mg structural state in calcite is variable. Refinement of EXAFS gives Mg–O bond distances of ∼2.12 Å, which are much smaller than the Ca–O bond distance of 2.35 Å but consistent with published amounts of relaxation of the calcite structure. The XANES and EXAFS are consistent with a model whereby some calcites contain nanodomains, e.g. of dolomite and/or huntite structures. The variability in the XANES can be explained by domains of different types and/or sizes. Substitution of Mg into aragonite has 9-fold coordination but relatively short bond distances (2.08 Å) demonstrating either: (1) substantial distortion of the site; or (2) that Mg is accommodated in nanodomains of an unknown phase. Variability in the Mg structural state in calcite may be linked to the variety of temperature dependences observed, e.g. in foraminiferal calcite

We have found >10 in situ microdiamonds in thin sections of eclogites from the Dabie and Su-Lu regions of central eastern China since the first occurrence of microdiamond in eclogites from the Dabie Mountains (DMT) reported in 1992. The microdiamonds are found not only in the central part but also in the northern part of the DMT. Several free crystals have been recovered from the crushed eclogites from the central DMT. Most in situ microdiamonds are inclusions in garnets but a few larger ones are intergranular. Most of the diamondiferous eclogites in the central part of the DMT are associated with coesite. Most importantly, the observation of microdiamonds in northern Dabie lead us to question the supposition that this is a low-P metamorphic terrane. All the diamondiferous eclogites from both the north and central DMT are of continental affinity as demonstrated by their negative εNd values. Therefore, both the north and central eclogite belts in the DMT are considered to be from the deep subducted terrane. Five in situ microdiamonds and two free crystals are first reported in this paper. The dimensions of the in situ microdiamonds are 30–180 µm and the free crystals are up to 400–700 mm across. All the microdiamonds are confirmed as such by Raman spectroscopy. The results of an infrared spectroscopic investigation on two larger free crystals and two in situ microdiamonds show that all the microdiamonds from both the Dabie and Su-Lu regions are mixed types IaA and IaB diamonds and there is no indication of any synthetic microdiamonds in our samples because such synthetic microdiamonds are always rich in type Ib.

The geochemical evolution of tin-tungsten deposits and their associated sulphides can be discussed in terms of four sequential processes: acquisition of the ore-forming elements (OFEs) by the granitic magma, emplacement of these elements in minerals and residual melt of the crystallizing granite, release of the OFEs to the circulating hydrothermal fluids and transport to the depositional sites, and finally, deposition of ore minerals through interaction of these fluids with the wall rock. Based on their crystallographic behaviour, it is useful to distinguish three principal classes of OFEs, here identified as BOC, LHC, and ALC elements. BOC (bivalent octahedral cation) elements are similar to ferrous iron and here are represented mainly by Zn, Mn, and perhaps Cu. Li also belongs to this class, although it is monovalent. LHC (large highly charged cations) elements encompass As, Nb, Mo, Sn, Sb, Ta, and W and they are similar to ferric iron or titanium in their crystallographic role. ALC (alkali-like cations) are capable of occupying alkali positions and are represented mainly by Pb, Ag, and Hg.

LHCs are rejected from the polymerized silicate liquid network and become enriched in the roof of the acid magma chamber, where more non-bridging oxygens are available. Transport to the roof may be enhanced by the formation of hydrous complexes, as is the pronounced enrichment of Na and Li. BOCs, along with Cl, F, and B, fractionate strongly into the vapour phase during vesiculation. HCl in the ore fluid is crucial for the alteration process and can be produced during boiling by a hydrolysis reaction of the NaCl dissolved or immiscibly present in the silicate magma.

Considerable laboratory information is available concerning release mechanisms of the OFEs to hydrothermal fluids. We can distinguish congruent and incongruent dissolution, both in response to acid buildup, as well as congruent and incongruent exchange not involving HCl. Melt-fluid fractionation is also thought to be important, though the physical mechanisms are not well understood. Any of these release mechanisms may be coupled with reduction or oxidation reactions. LHC, BOC, and ALC elements respond differently to each of these mechanisms, and these differences may in part be responsible for the observed separation of ore minerals in space and time. It is suggested that LHC elements are released preferentially during acid, non-oxidizing conditions typical of early stages, while BOC elements respond more readily to later acid-oxidizing environments, as well as exchange reactions with or without oxidation.

Depositional reactions have been formulated with respect to two contrasting types of country rocks: carbonates and schists. Differences are related to the process of neutralization of the HCl produced by ore deposition: carbonate dissolution on one hand and feldspar-muscovite or biotite-muscovite conversion on the other. In carbonate rocks, evaporite-related sulphates may provide the H2S necessary for sulphide precipitation, while in schists disseminated sulphides and organic matter may be important sulphur reservoirs in addition to the sulphur liberated from the granite. A variety of situations can be envisaged with respect to the sources of the OFEs and the sulphur species required for ore deposition, including granite and wall rocks. Chloride is recognized as the crucial anion for OFE release, transport, and deposition, although F and B play a role yet to be evaluated. Final HCl neutralization is an essential step in the reactions responsible for the deposition of ore minerals.

The ultimate sources of the OFEs must be related to the continental material involved in the process of melt production by partial melting. Oxidized sediments provide sources for LHC and ALC elements in the form of heavy minerals and clastic feldspars and micas. Organic-rich reduced sediments are hosts to BOC and LHC elements as sulphides and ALC elements in organic matter. Remelting of igneous and metamorphic rocks can enrich LHC, BOC, and ALC elements in the melt by extraction from opaques, Fe-Mg silicates, feldspars, and micas.

Apatite samples from rare-metal mineralization were investigated by a combination of cathodoluminescence (CL) microscopy and spectroscopy, microchemical analysis and trace element analysis. Internal structures revealed by CL can be related to variations in the crystal chemistry and may sometimes reflect changes in the composition of the mineralizing fluids.

Apatite from mineralization related to alkaline rocks and carbonatites (Type 1) typically exhibits relatively homogeneous blue and lilac/violet CL colours due to activation by trace quantities of rare earth element ions (Ce3+, Eu2+, Sm3+, Dy3+ and Nd3+). These results correlate with determined trace element abundances, which show strong light rare earth element (LREE) enrichment for this type of apatite. However, a simple quantitative correlation between emission intensities of REE3+/2+ and analysed element concentrations was not found.

Apatite from P-rich altered granites, greisens, pegmatites and veins from Sn-W deposits (Type 2) shows strong Mn2+-activated yellow-greenish CL, partially with distinct oscillatory zoning. Variations in the intensity of the Mn2+-activated CL emission can be related either to varying Mn/Fe ratios (quenching of Mn activated CL by Fe) or to self-quenching effects in zones with high Mn contents (>2.0 wt.%). The REE distribution patterns of apatite reflect the specific geological position of each sample and may serve as a “tracer” for the REE behaviour within the ore system. Although the REE contents are sometimes as high as several hundred parts per million, the spectral CL measurements do not exhibit typical REE emission lines because of dominance of the Mn emission. In these samples, REE-activated luminescence is only detectable by time-resolved laser-induced luminescence spectroscopy.

Both types of apatite (Type 1 in the core and Type 2 in the rim) were found in single crystals from the Be deposit Ermakovka (Transbaikalia). This finding proves the existence of two stages of mineralization within this deposit.

Nyerereite and nahcolite have been identified as micro- and nano-inclusions in diamond from the Juina area, Brazil. Alongside them are Sr- and Ba-bearing calcite minerals from the periclase-wiistite series, wollastonite II (high), Ca-rich garnet, spinels, olivine, phlogopite and apatite. Minerals of the periclase- wustite series belong to two separate groups: wustite and Mg-wustite with Mg# = 1.9—15.3, and Fe- periclase and periclase with Mg# = 84.9—92.1. Wollastonite-II (high, with Ca:Si = 0.992) has a triclinic structure. Two types of spinel were distinguished among mineral inclusions in diamond: zoned magnesioferrite (with Mg# varying from 13.5—90.8, core to rim) and Fe spinel (magnetite). Olivine (Mg# = 93.6), intergrown with nyerereite, forms an elongate, lath-shaped crystal and most likely represents a retrograde transformation of ringwoodite or wadsleyite. All inclusions are composed of poly-mineralic solid mineral phases. Together with previously found halides, sulphates and other mineral inclusions in diamond from Juina, they form a carbonatitic-type mineral paragenesis in diamond which may have originated in the lower mantle and/or transition zone. Wustite inclusions with Mg# = 1.9—3.4, according to experimental data, may have formed in the lowermost mantle. The source for the observed carbonatitic-type mineral association in diamond is lower-mantle natrocarbonatitic magma. This magma may represent a juvenile mantle melt, or be the result of low-degree partial melting of deeply-subducted carbonated oceanic crust. This magma was rich in volatiles, such as Cl, F and H, which played an important role in the formation of diamond.

The Bafq mining district is in the Early Cambrian Kashmar-Kerman volcano-plutonic arc in Central Iran and hosts important ‘Kiruna-type’ magnetite-apatite deposits. The hydrothermal magnetite-apatite mineralization occurs mostly as massive orebodies, metasomatic replacements, veins and stockworks. Apatite (low-Sr fluorapatite containing small amounts of hydroxyl) has undergone a partial hydrothermal overprint which involved leaching of Na, Cl and REE. The REE were remobilized into monazite (and minor allanite, parisite and xenotime) which nucleated as inclusions within apatite or as individual crystals. The monazites have very small ThO2 contents (usually <1 wt.%), but they occasionally show an inner core of high-Th monazite, with low-Th overgrowth rims. The chemical Th-U-total Pb dating of the high-Th monazites by electron microprobe analysis yields an isochron age of 515±21 Ma (initial PbO intercept = 68 ppm), or 529±21 Ma (forced initial PbO = 0), which is contemporaneous with the emplacement of the volcano-plutonic host rocks of the magnetite-apatite mineralization, as well as with widespread sedimentation of Late Proterozoic to Cambrian evaporitic rocks in Central Iran. The monazite age and the mineralogical and geochemical data suggest that the magnetite-apatite deposits are probably related to large-scale brine circulation induced by felsic magmatism during the Cambrian.

Conditions necessary for exchange between lattice OH groups and D2O in expanding layer silicates are reported. From spectral changes in the 200–1200 cm−1 region resulting from this exchange, in-plane librations of OH co-ordinated to (A1A1), (A1Mg), (A1Fe3+), and (MgMgMg) have been identified in montmorillonite, beidellite, saponite, hectorite, and vermiculite. Both in-plane and out-of-plane librations have been identified for pyrophyllite and celadonite, from comparison of synthetic specimens containing OD with natural or synthetic OH forms. Comparison of hydrogen and deuterium forms of Mg- and Ni-talcs leads to the identification of translational and librational OH vibrations.

Density measurements of eight silicate liquids containing substantial amounts of Fe2O3 have been made over a range of 250 °C. These have been combined with published density measurements on multicomponent silicate liquids to yield (by multiple regression) partial molar volumes of SiO2, TiO2, Al2O3, Fe2O3, FeO, MgO, CaO, Na2O, and K2O. The data on Fe2O3-liquids are neither precise nor abundant enough to show a compositional dependence of . In a liquid of constant composition and temperature, the pressure dependence of the oxygen fugacity is given by

which, if ΔV is independent of pressure, necessitates an increase in fO2 with increasing pressure of about 1 log10 unit for 10 kbars.

Combining an equation relating oxygen fugacity to composition, T, and Fe2O3 at 1 bar (Sack et al., 1980) with the results for partial molar volumes, the oxygen fugacity of any magma can be calculated as a function of P and T. If basic magmas have their Fe2O3/FeO set in the source regions, and ascend isochemically, then the calculated oxygen fugacities in the mantle increase as pressure increases and silica activity decreases. A P-T grid has been constructed to show the calculated oxygen fugacities in a source region which has equilibrated with some common lava types, based on their FeO and Fe2O3 contents.

The Carnmenellis granite and its aureole contain the only recorded thermal groundwaters (up to 52 °C) in British granites. They occur as springs in tin mines at depths between 200 and 700 m and most are saline (maximum mineralization 19 310 mg 1−1). Mining activity has disturbed the groundwater circulation pattern developed over a geological time-scale and levels of bomb-produced tritium (> 4 TU) indicate that a significant component (up to 65 %) of the most saline waters are of recent origin. All components of all the mine waters are of meteoric origin. Radiogenic 4He contents, 40Ar/36Ar ratios, and uranium series geochemistry suggest that the thermal component has a likely residence time of at least 5 × 104 years and probably of order 106 years.

The thermal waters have molar Na+/Cl− ratios considerably less than 1 but they are enriched relative to sea water in all major cations except Mg. The groundwater is also particularly enriched in Li with contents ranging up to 125 mg 1−1. The groundwater salinity, which may reach a maximum of 30 000 mg 1−1, is shown to result from weathering reactions of biotite (probably through a chloritization step) and plagioclase feldspar, to kaolinite. On volumetric considerations, fluid inclusions cannot contribute significantly to the groundwater salinity, and stable isotope ratios rule out any contribution from sea water.

Groundwater silica contents and molar Na+/K+ ratios suggest that the likely equilibration temperature is 54°C, which would imply a depth of circulation of about 1.2 km.

Based on nearly 1500 published amphibole analyses the maximum possible Alvi in hornblendes is shown to increase with increase of Aliv. New analyses of hornblendes from amphibole-corundum rocks, with and without anorthite, are given and after critical examination of the available data it is concluded that the maximum verified Alvi-rich calciferous amphibole that approaches the closest to hypothetical tschermakite comes from a kyanite-bearing aluminous high-pressure-crystallized schist from Lukmanier, Switzerland. Pure natural edenite or ferroedenite is unknown, but a new analysis of the nearest known natural edenite, from Mysore, India, agrees with the postulated view that extraordinarily low temperatures are needed for edenite-ferroedenite crystallization, much below that possible in magmas and only rarely achieved in metamorphic rocks containing amphiboles. The limit of the approach of igneous hornblendes to edenite-ferroedenite and tremolite-ferroactinolite is outlined.

At least 1100 °C is required for complete expulsion of water from some amphiboles.

Examples of application of equilibria in the systems Fe-Zn-S, Cu-Fe-Zn-S, Fe-As-S, and Fe-Zn-As-S are drawn from modern sulphide-forming hydrothermal vents on the East Pacific Rise, from ancient vein deposits and from metamorphosed sulphide ores. The ZnS content (1.2 and 1.3 mole %) of Cu-Fe-S intermediate solid solution (iss) from the sea-floor deposits gives temperatures of equilibration of 331° and 335 °C from experimental curves, in excellent agreement with the 350 °C expected from actual measurement of the hot springs. Heterogeneities in sphalerite in these deposits do not necessarily represent disequilibrium during deposition but can be explained simply by small fluctuations in aS2. Diagrams of log aS2vs. 1000/T, K for sphalerite and arsenopyrite are useful for estimating temperature and activity of sulphur in hydrothermal or metamorphosed deposits provided that equilibrium can be demonstrated and the systems are properly buffered.

The sphalerite geobarometer has had wide applications, some successful (mostly vein deposits) and some not (particularly metamorphosed ores in which chalcopyrite is in contact with sphalerite). Compositions of sphalerites which are totally enclosed within metablastic pyrites represent preserved high P-T equilibria which have been isolated from further reaction during subsequent retrograde conditions by the inert encapsulating pyrite and may provide more reliable estimates of pressure.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) enables in situ observations of mineral fluid reactions to be made at a nanoscale. During the past 20 years, the direct observation of mineral surfaces at molecular resolution during dissolution and growth has made significant contributions toward improvements in our understanding of the dynamics of mineral fluid reactions at the atomic scale. Observations and kinetic measurements of dissolution and growth from AFM experiments give valuable evidence for crystal dissolution and growth mechanisms, either confirming existing models or revealing their limitations. Modifications to theories can be made in the light of experimental evidence generated by AFM. Significant changes in the kinetics and mechanisms of crystallization and dissolution processes occur when the chemical and physical parameters of solutions, including the presence of impurity molecules or background electrolytes, are altered. Calcite has received considerable attention in AFM studies due to its central role in geochemical and biomineralization processes. This review summarizes the extensive literature on the dissolution and growth of calcite that has been generated by AFM studies, including the influence of fluid characteristics such as supersaturation, solution stoichiometry, pH, temperature and the presence of impurities.

On the basis of extensive studies of synthetic perovskite-structured compounds it is possible to derive a hierarchy of hettotype structures which are derivatives of the arisotypic cubic perovskite structure (ABX3), exemplified by SrTiO3 (tausonite) or KMgF3 (parascandolaite) by: (1) tilting and distortion of the BX6 octahedra; (2) ordering of A- and B-site cations; (3) formation of A-, B- or X-site vacancies. This hierarchical scheme can be applied to some naturally-occurring oxides, fluorides,hydroxides, chlorides, arsenides, intermetallic compounds and silicates which adopt such derivative crystal structures. Application of this hierarchical scheme to naturally-occurring minerals results in the recognition of a perovskite supergroup which is divided into stoichiometric and non-stoichiometricperovskite groups, with both groups further divided into single ABX3 or double A2BB'X6 perovskites. Subgroups, and potential subgroups, of stoichiometric perovskites include: (1) silicate single perovskites of the bridgmanite subgroup;(2) oxide single perovskites of the perovskite subgroup (tausonite, perovskite, loparite, lueshite, isolueshite, lakargiite, megawite); (3) oxide single perovskites of the macedonite subgroup which exhibit second order Jahn-Teller distortions (macedonite, barioperovskite); (4) fluoride singleperovskites of the neighborite subgroup (neighborite, parascandolaite); (5) chloride single perovskites of the chlorocalcite subgroup; (6) B-site cation ordered double fluoride perovskites of the cryolite subgroup (cryolite, elpasolite, simmonsite); (7) B-site cation orderedoxide double perovskites of the vapnikite subgroup [vapnikite, (?) latrappite]. Non-stoichiometric perovskites include: (1) A-site vacant double hydroxides, or hydroxide perovskites, belonging to the söhngeite, schoenfliesite and stottite subgroups; (2) Anion-deficient perovskitesof the brownmillerite subgroup (srebrodolskite, shulamitite); (3) A-site vacant quadruple perovskites (skutterudite subgroup); (4) B-site vacant single perovskites of the oskarssonite subgroup [oskarssonite]; (5) B-site vacant inverse single perovskites of the coheniteand auricupride subgroups; (6) B-site vacant double perovskites of the diaboleite subgroup; (7) anion-deficient partly-inverse B-site quadruple perovskites of the hematophanite subgroup.

Analyses of glauconites and celadonites from continental sedimentary rocks and sea-floor basalts using X-ray diffraction, electron probe microanalysis, infra-red spectroscopy, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy are reported. The minerals are shown to be distinct species; each an isomorphous replacement series, glauconite having an average half unit cell of K0·85(Fe3+, Al3+)1·34 (Mg2+, Fe2+)0·66(Si3·76Al0·24)O10(OH)2 whereas celadonite approaches the ideal half unit cell of K(Fe3+, Al3+)(Mg2+, Fe2+)Si4O10(OH)2. Considerable Fe3+Alvi interchangeability occurs in the octahedral layer in both minerals and considerable substitution of aluminium in the tetrahedral layer of glauconites results in the more disordered 1Md type of structure compared with the more highly ordered 1M structure of celadonites. Some mixed layer glauconite-smectites and celadonites were also examined and could be distinguished from true glauconites and celadonites by chemical analysis, XRD, and IR techniques. It is proposed that the terms ‘glauconite’ and ‘celadonite’ should be used only for those minerals containing less than 5% interlayering.