Minamiite has been discredited and renamed natroalunite-2c to show a double unit-cell structure and natroalunite can be designated as natroalunite-1c to show a single unit-cell structure. Kintoreite can be designated as kintoreite-1c to show the same single unit-cell structure, and IMA 1993-039 is a new superstructure of kintoreite and can be designated as kintoreite-2c to show a double unit-cell structure. Beaverite has been renamed beaverite-(Cu). The Zn-bearing beaverite of Sato et al. (2008) has been named “beaverite-(Zn)”, but data for the mineralhave not been approved by the CNMNC. Orpheite has been discredited as P-rich hinsdalite. Proposal 07-D was approved by the CNMNC.

Bond-valence theory is used to explore the local arrangements involving vacancies at the Y and Z sites in the tourmaline structure. The local bond-valence requirements of all possible local arrangements around the O8, O7, O6, O3 and O1 anion-sites have been determined for Y- and Z-site vacancies locally associated with Li1+, Mg2+, Al3+, Fe2+, Fe3+, B3+ and Si4+. The results show that arrangements involving tetrahedrally coordinated TR3+-cations and octahedrally coordinated YR2+- and ZR2+-cations around O8, 07 and O6 can be ruled out, together with arrangements involving vacancies and YLi1+. As the occurrence of a Y-site vacancy (Y☐) is more in accord with the valence-sum rule than the occurrence of a Z-site vacancy (Z☐), Y☐ is more likely to occur than Z☐ in tourmaline. Local arrangements involving vacancies around O1- and O3-sites can be stable for OH−, but not for O2−. Of particular interest in this regard are the arrangements [YR3+YR3+Y☐]−O1(OH−) and [ZR3+ZR3+Y☐]−O3(OH−), which yield the smallest deviations from the valence-sum rule. Coupling these stable arrangements with 2 × [TSi4+ZR3+Y☐]−O6(O2−) forms larger vacancy clusters: [Y(R3+)2−O1(OH−)−y(☐)− O3(OH−)−O6(O2−)2−(ZR3+TSi4+)2]. In tourmaline, vacancies are more favoured to occur at Y rather than at Z, in tandem with OH− at O3 and O1, R3+ at Y and Z and Si4+ at T.

A ‘metamorphic vermiculite’-like phase was identified in Ca-rich ancient ceramic sherds from excavations in NW Peloponnese, Greece. Archaeometric investigations have shown that the raw materials used in the production of ancient ceramics were derived from local Plio-Pleistocene sediments. Analysis by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy showed that ‘metamorphic vermiculite’ is a common constituent phase of these sediments occurring in three texturally different types: as interstratified white mica-chlorite and chlorite-vermiculite, and white mica-(white mica-chlorite) stacks. In an attempt to elucidate the thermal transformation of ‘metamorphic vermiculite’ present in the calcareous raw materials, we produced experimental ceramics made from these local raw materials and fired them at 700, 750, 850, 950 and 1050°C in a static air furnace. The mixed-layered chlorite-vermiculite was transformed completely at ∼800°C contributing to the formation of new high-T minerals. The two other types of ‘metamorphic vermiculite’ retain their original lath-like shape up to 1050°C and only a few crystals show that they have undergone complete transformation at this temperature. In the latter crystals, numerous nanocrystals were formed sub-parallel to the former cleavages of ‘metamorphic vermiculite’ pseudomorphs, suggesting their contribution to the nucleation of high-T minerals (i.e. ferrian aluminian diopside, spinel, Fe oxides) by reactions with the available CaO. It is suggested that the firing conditions (i.e. maximum reaction temperature of 1050°C, reaction time of 1 h, oxygen atmosphere) which promote disequilibrium reactions, and the greater contribution of the white mica constituent against chlorite in some of the initial structures of ‘metamorphic vermiculite’ may be responsible for the delay of its thermal decomposition at 1050°C.

Fluoroleakeite, NaNa2(Mg2Fe3+2Li)Si8O22F2 is a new mineral of the amphibole group from the Verkhnee Espe deposit, Akjailyautas mountains, eastern Kazakhstan district, Kazakhstan. The granites and their host rocks have been intensely reworked by post-magmatic and host-rock fluids, resulting in intense recrystallization, enrichment in F, Li and rare elements, and replacement of primary biotite and sodic-calcic amphiboles by Li-bearing riebeckite, aegirine, astrophyllite and other sodic minerals including fluoroleakeite. Crystals are prismatic parallel to [001] with {100} and {110} faces and cleavage surfaces, and the prism direction is terminated by irregular fractures. Grains are up to 3 mm long, and occur as isolated crystals, as small aggregates, and as inclusions in cámaraite. Crystals are black with a very pale grey to colourless streak. Fluoroleakeite is brittle, has a Mohs hardness of 6 and a splintery fracture; it is non-fluorescent with perfect {110} cleavage, no observable parting, and has a calculated density of 3.245 g cm–3. In plane-polarized light, it is pleochroic, X = pale grey-green, Y = medium grey, Z = grey-brown; X^a = 14.1° (in β obtuse), Y ‖ b, Z^c = 75.9° (in β acute). Fluoroleakeite is biaxial negative, α = 1.663(2), β = 1.673(2), γ = 1.680(2); 2Vobs = 80.9(6)°, 2Vcalc = 79.4°

Fluoro-leakeite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 9.8927(3), b = 17.9257(6), c = 5.2969(2) Å, β = 103.990(1)°, V = 905.7(1) Å3, Z = 2. The strongest ten X-ray diffraction lines in the powder pattern are [d in Å(I)(hkl)]: 2.718(100)(151), 8.434(40)(110), 4.464(30)(021), 3.405(30)(131), 3.137(20)(310), 2.541(20)(), 2.166(20)(261), 2.325(15)(), 2.275(15)() and 2.806(10)(330). Analysis by a combination of electron microprobe and crystal-structure refinement gives SiO2 53.34, Al2O3 0.62, TiO2 1.27, V2O3 0.05, Fe2O3 15.10, FeO 6.00, MnO 2.04, ZnO 0.18, MgO 6.40, CaO 0.13, Na2O 9.08, K2O 1.98, Li2O 1.10, F 3.33, H2Ocalc 0.16, sum 99.39 wt.%. The formula unit, calculated on the basis of 23 O, is A(Na0.64K0.38)(Na1.98Ca0.02)(Li0.66Mg1.42Fe0.752+Mn0.262+Zn0.02Fe1.693+V0.013+Ti0.144+Al0.03) (Si7.93Al0.07)O22(F1.57OH0.16O0.27). Crystal-structure refinement shows Li to be completely ordered at the M(3) site. Fluoroleakeite, ideally NaNa2(Mg2Fe23+Li)Si8O22F2, is related to end-member leakeite, NaNa2(Mg2Fe23+Li)Si8O22(OH)2 by the substitution F → (OH).

Heklaite, with the ideal formula KNaSiF6, was found among fumarolic encrustations collected in 1992 on the Hekla volcano, Iceland. Heklaite forms a fine-grained mass of micron- to sub-micron-sized crystals intimately associated with malladrite, hieratite and ralstonite. The mineral is colourless, transparent, non-fluorescent, has a vitreous lustre and a white streak. The calculated density is 2.69 g cm–3. An SEM-EDS quantitative chemical analysis shows the following range of concentrations (wt.%): Na 11.61–12.74 (average 11.98), K 17.02–18.97 (average 18.29), Si 13.48 –14.17 (average 13.91), F 54.88–56.19 (average 55.66). The empirical chemical formula, calculated on the basis of 9 a.p.f.u., is Na1.07K0.96Si1.01F5.97. X-ray powder diffraction indicates that heklaite is orthorhombic, space group Pnma, with the following unit-cell parameters: a = 9.3387(7) Å, b = 5.5032(4) Å, c = 9.7957(8) Å , V = 503.43(7) Å3, Z = 4. The eight strongest reflections in the powder diffraction pattern [d in Å (I/I0) (hkl)] are: 4.33 (53) (102); 4.26 (56) (111); 3.40 (49) (112); 3.37 (47) (202); 3.34 (100) (211); 2.251 (27) (303); 2.050 (52) (123); 2.016 (29) (321). On the basis of chemical analyses and X-ray data, heklaite corresponds to the synthetic compound KNaSiF6. The name is for the type locality, the Hekla volcano, Iceland.

Gallium abundances, determined by laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, are presented for phenocrysts and glassy matrices from a metaluminous trachyte and five peralkaline rhyolites from the Greater Olkaria Volcanic Complex, Kenya Rift Valley. Abundances in the glasses range from 28.9 to 33.3 ppm, comparable with peralkaline rhyolites elsewhere. Phenocryst Ga abundances (in ppm) are: sanidine 31.5–45.3; fayalite 0.02–0.22; hedenbergite 3.3–6.3; amphibole 12; biotite 72; ilmenite 0.56–0.72; titanomagnetite 32; chevkinite-(Ce) 364. The mafic phases and chevkinite-(Ce) are enriched in Ga relative to Al, whereas Ga/Al ratios in sanidine are smaller than in coexisting glass. Apparent partition coefficients range from <0.01 in fayalite to 12 in chevkinite-(Ce). Coefficients for hedenbergite, ilmenite and titanomagnetite decrease as melts become peralkaline. The sharp increase in Ga/Al in the more fractionated members of alkaline magmatic suites probably results from alkali feldspar-dominated fractionation. Case studies are presented to show that the Ga/Al ratio may be a sensitive indicator of such petrogenetic processes as magma mixing, interaction of melts with F-rich volatile phases, mineral accumulation and volatile-induced crustal anatexis.

The Mineralogical Society of Great Britain & Ireland has published two full-colour posters describing the feldspar minerals, designed primarily for student use. They may be downloaded free of charge by all from http://www.minersoc.org/pages/education/edu.html and are designed to be printed at A3 size, although they are legible at A4 and in greyscale. Sheet 1 deals with nomenclature, crystal structure and phase relationships, while Sheet 2 covers phase behaviour. For brevity no sources are given on the posters, and these are provided in the present article, together with supporting notes and suggested reading on the more complex topics.

Eringaite, Ca3Sc2(SiO4)3, a new mineral of the garnet group, is an accessory mineral in metasomatic rodingite-like rocks from the Wiluy River, Sakha-Yakutia Republic, Russia. Eringaite forms regular growth zones and irregular spots in complex garnet crystals containing a kimzeyite core. An electron back-scatter diffraction pattern with an excellent match to a garnet model with a = 12.19 Å was obtained for a grain with the largest Sc2O3 content having the crystal chemical formula (Ca2.98Y0.01Mg0.01)Σ3(Sc0.82Ti4+0.44Fe3+0.30Zr0.21Mg0.10Al0.09Cr3+0.08Fe2+0.05V3+0.01)Σ2.01(Si2.48Al0.30Fe3+0.22)Σ3O12. Eringaite is light brown to yellow with a creamy white streak. The crystals are transparent with a vitreous lustre. The calculated density of eringaite is 3.654 g cm–3. The following main modes of the Raman spectrum are characteristic of eringaite: 335, 511, 735, 880 and 937 cm–1. The strongest lines of the calculated powder diffraction data are as follows [(hkl) dhkl (I)] (400) 3.064 (69), (420) 2.740 (100), (422) 2.502 (68), (640) 1.670 (30), (642) 1.638 (82), (840) 1.370 (20), (842) 1.137 (19), (10.4.2) 1.119 (29).

Natropharmacoalumite, ideally NaAl4[(OH)4(AsO4)3]·4H2O, is a new mineral from the Maria Josefa Gold mine, Rodalquilar, Andalusia region, Spain. It occurs as colourless, intergrown cubic crystals with chenevixite, kaolinite, jarosite and indeterminable mixtures of Fe and Sb oxyhydroxides. Individual crystals are up to 0.5 mm on edge, although crystals are more commonly ˜0.25 mm across and occur in patchy aggregates several millimetres across. The mineral is transparent with a vitreous to adamantine lustre. It is brittle with an imperfect cleavage, irregular fracture and a white streak. The Mohs hardness is ˜2.5 with a calculated densityof 2.56 g cm–3 for the empirical formula. Electron microprobe analyses yielded Na2O 2.52%, K2O 1.49%, Al2O3 29.50%, As2O5 48.84% and H2O was calculated in line with the structural analysis as 16.28% totalling 98.63%. The empirical formula, based upon 20.21 oxygen atoms, is [Na0.57K0.22(H3O)0.21]Σ1.00Al4.05(As2.97O12)(OH)4·4H2O. The five strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobs(Å), Iobs,(hkl)]: 7.759,100,(100); 4.473,40,(111); 3.870,50,(200); 2.446,9,(301); 2.331,12,(311). Natropharmacoalumite is cubic, space group with a = 7.7280(3) Å, V = 461.53(3) Å3 and Z = 1. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R1 = 0.063 for 295 reflections with F>4σ(F). The structure conforms broadly to that of the general pharmacosiderite structure type, with Na as the dominant cation in cavities of strongly distorted Al octahedra and As tetrahedra. A new group nomenclature system for minerals with the pharmacosiderite structure has been established, including the renaming of aluminopharmacosiderite to pharmacoalumite.

Charoite, ideally (K,Sr,Ba,Mn)15–16(Ca,Na)32[(Si70(O,OH)180)](OH,F)4.0·nH2O, a rare mineral from the Murun massif in Yakutiya, Russia, was studied using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, X-ray spectroscopy, precession electron diffraction and the newly developed technique of automated electron-diffraction tomography. The structure of charoite (a = 31.96(6) Å, b = 19.64(4) Å, c = 7.09(1) Å, β = 90.0(1)°, V = 4450(24) Å3, space group P21/m) was solved ab initio by direct methods from 2878 unique observed reflections and refined to R1/wR2 = 0.17/0.21. The structure can be visualized as being composed of three different dreier silicate chains: a double dreier chain, [Si6O17]10–; a tubular loop-branched dreier triple chain, [Si12O30]12–; and a tubular hybrid dreier quadruple chain, [Si17O43]18–. The silicate chains occur between ribbons of edge-sharing Ca and Na-octahedra. The chains of tetrahedra and the ribbons of octahedra extend parallel to the z axis. K+, Ba2+, Sr2+, Mn2+ and H2O molecules lie inside tubes and channels of the structure. On the basis of microprobe analyses and occupancy refinement of the cation sites, the crystal chemical formula of this charoite can be written as (Z = 1): (K13.88Sr1.0Ba0.32Mn0.36)Σ15.56(Ca25.64Na6.36)Σ32 [(Si6O11(O,OH)6)2(Si12O18(O,OH)12)2(Si17O25(O,OH)18)2](OH,F)4.0·3.18H2O.

Zoned Ca-amphibole from metaclastic rocks and synfolial quartz-rich veins of the Jubrique area (Alpujárride complex, Betic Cordillera, Spain), and their significance in the Alpine metamorphic evolution are described here for the first time. Typical Al-rich metapelites from this area show assemblages with white mica and chlorite, with sporadic kyanite and chloritoid. Nevertheless, some Ca-richer phyllites, fine-grained quartzites and quartz veins, show assemblages consisting of Ca-amphibole, plagioclase, epidote, titanite, chlorite and quartz. Ca-amphibole, appearing in large radial grains as well as in smaller subhedral crystals, displays a zonation with actinolite cores, overgrown by magnesiohomblende (and edenite) and minor tschermakite (and pargasite or hastingsite). The zoning suggests growth during prograde metamorphism. Retrogressive rims are variably developed in the several lithotypes. General zonation is well described in terms of the tschermakite, the edenite and the Fe3+Al-1, the MgFe2+-1, the NaK-1 and the OHCl-1 exchanges. Chemical parameters (IVAl, A(Na+K), BNa) indicate an evolution from low- to medium-grade temperature and pressure. The Al-in-amphibole thermobarometer provides a range of prograde temperatures between ∼300°C (for cores) and ∼600°C (for rims), for pressures from ∼1 to ∼6 kbar, respectively. Despite the uncertainty resulting from the fact that the thermobarometer used was calibrated for metabasites, amphibole defines a prograde pressure-temperature path typical of Barrovian-type metamorphism.

The structural modifications with temperature of libethenite, Cu2(PO4)(OH), were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction up to dehydration and consequent decomposition of the crystal under investigation. In the temperature range 25–475°C, libethenite shows positive and linear expansion. The axial thermal expansion coefficients, determined over this temperature range, are: αa = 6.6(1)·10–6 K–1, αb = 1.21(2)·10–5 K–1, αc = 9.0(2)·10–6 K–1, αv = 2.78(3)·10–5 K–1. Axial expansion is then anisotropic with αa:αb:αc = 1:1.83:1.33.

Structure refinements of X-ray diffraction data collected at different temperatures allowed us to characterize the mechanisms by which the libethenite structure accommodates variations in temperature. Increasing temperature induces expansion of both Cu polyhedra and no significant variation of the PO4 tetrahedron, which acts as a rigid unit. Cu(1) octahedra expand mostly as a consequence of the increase of the axial bonds, and become more distorted. Starting from T = 500°C, precursor signs of incoming dehydration are visible: two adjacent OH groups approach each other and cause dramatic changes in the whole structure. Concomitantly, the libethenite crystal begins to deteriorate and, at T = 600°C, broad and weak diffraction effects of polycrystalline material are observed.

New procedures are put in place in order to facilitate the dissemination of new mineral names into the public arena. Authors will get the opportunity to select whether the Commission will release the new mineral name upon successful approval in the Commission's monthly newsletter, which will be published in Mineralogical Magazine. Authors are also entitled to have the name not released until final publication, i.e. to retain the status quo. This will enable citations to be made using the new mineral name until the full description is published. Modifications to the existing rules, on the two-year time frame for new mineral publication, are also outlined.