Davidbrownite-(NH4), (NH4,K)5(V4+O)2(C2O4)[PO2.75(OH)1.25]4·3H2O, is a new mineral species from the Rowley mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA. It occurs in an unusual bat-guano-related, post-mining assemblage of phases that include a variety of vanadates, phosphates, oxalates and chlorides, some containing NH4+. Other secondary minerals found in association with davidbrownite-(NH4) are antipinite, fluorite, mimetite, mottramite, quartz, rowleyite, salammoniac, struvite, vanadinite, willemite and wulfenite. Crystals of davidbrownite-(NH4) are light green–blue needles or narrow blades up to ~0.2 mm long. The streak is white, the lustre is vitreous, Mohs hardness is ca. 2, tenacity is brittle and fracture is splintery. There are two good cleavages in the [010] zone, probably {100} and {001}. The measured density is 2.12(2) g cm–3. Davidbrownite-(NH4) is optically biaxial (+) with α = 1.540(2), β = 1.550(5) and γ = 1.582(2) (white light); 2V = 58.5(5)°; moderate r > v dispersion; and orientation Z = b and Y ≈ a. Pleochroism: X = pale blue, Y = nearly colourless, Z = light blue; and Y < X < Z. Electron microprobe analysis gave the empirical formula [(NH4)3.11K1.73Na0.09]Σ4.93[(V4+1.92Mg0.01Al0.02)Σ1.95O2](C2O4) [(P3.94As0.12)Σ4.06O10.94(OH)5.06]·3H2O, with the C and H content provided by the crystal structure. Raman and infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of NH4 and C2O4. Davidbrownite-(NH4) is monoclinic, P21/c, with a = 10.356(6), b = 8.923(5), c = 13.486(7) Å, β = 92.618(9)°, V = 1244.9(12) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure of davidbrownite-(NH4) (R1 = 0.0524 for 2062 Io > 2σI reflections) consists of a chain structural unit with the formula {(V4+O)2(C2O4)[PO2.75(OH)1.25]4}5–, and a disordered interstitial complex containing five large monovalent cations (NH4+ and K+) and three H2O groups pfu. Strong hydrogen bonds form links within and between the chains.

Brandãoite, [BeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4](H2O), is a new Be–Al phosphate mineral from the João Firmino mine, Pomarolli farm region, Divino das Laranjeiras County, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, where it occurs in an albite pocket with other secondary phosphates, including beryllonite, atencioite and zanazziite, in a granitic pegmatite. It occurs as colourless acicular crystals <10 µm wide and <100 µm long that form compact radiating spherical aggregates up to 1.0–1.5 mm across. It is colourless and transparent in single crystals and white in aggregates, has a white streak and a vitreous lustre, is brittle and has conchoidal fracture. Mohs hardness is 6, and the calculated density is 2.353 g/cm3. Brandãoite is biaxial (+), α = 1.544, β = 1.552 and γ = 1.568, all ± 0.002; 2Vobs = 69.7(10)° and 2Vcalc = 71.2°. No pleochroism was observed. Brandãoite is triclinic, space group P$\bar{1}$, a = 6.100(4), b = 8.616(4), c = 10.261(5) Å, α = 93.191(11), β = 95.120(11), γ = 96.863(11)°, V = 532.1(8) Å3 and Z = 2. Chemical analysis of a 4 µm wide needle-shaped crystal by electron microprobe and secondary-ion mass spectrometry gave P2O5 = 28.42, Al2O3 = 20.15, BeO = 4.85, H2O = 21.47 and sum = 74.89 wt.%. The empirical formula, normalised on the basis of 15 anions pfu with (OH) = 2 and (H2O) = 5 apfu (from the crystal structure) is Be0.98Al1.99P2.02H12O15. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 7.0%. There are two P sites occupied by P5+, two Al sites occupied by octahedrally coordinated Al3+, and one Be site occupied by tetrahedrally coordinated Be2+. There are fifteen anions, two of which are (OH) groups and five of which are (H2O) groups. The simplified ideal formula is thus [BeAl2(PO4)2(OH)2(H2O)4](H2O) with Z = 2. Beryllium and P tetrahedra share corners to form a four-membered ring. Aluminium octahedra share a common vertex to form an [Al2φ11] dimer, and these dimers are cross-linked by P tetrahedra to form a complex slab of polyhedra parallel to (001). These slabs are cross-linked by BeO2(OH)(H2O) tetrahedra, with interstitial (H2O) groups in channels that extend along [100].

Middlebackite is a new supergene mineral formed in the upper levels of the Iron Monarch quarry, South Australia. It occurs as aggregates of blue, prismatic crystals up to 0.3 mm across comprising individual crystals up to 0.05 mm in length associated with atacamite and mottramite. Crystals are translucent with a vitreous lustre and have a pale blue streak. Middlebackite is brittle with one perfect cleavage and uneven fracture. Mohs hardness is ~2. The calculated density is 3.64 g cm–3. Crystals are biaxial (+) with α = 1.663(4), β = 1.748(4) and γ = 1.861(4) (measured in white light). The calculated 2V is 86.7°. Pleochroism is X = colourless, Y = very pale blue and Z = dark sky blue; Z > Y > X. The empirical formula unit, based on six oxygen atoms per formula unit is Cu2.00(C2O4)Cl0.02(OH)1.98. Middlebackite is monoclinic, space group P21/c with a = 7.2597(15), b = 5.7145(11), c = 5.6624(11) Å, β = 104.20(3)°, V = 227.73(8) Å3 and Z = 2. The five strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [d(Å), (I), (hkl)]: 7.070 (16) (100), 3.739 (100) (11$\bar{1}$), 2.860 (18) (020), 2.481 (12) (12$\bar{1}$) and 2.350 (9) (300). The crystal structure was refined from synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R1 = 0.0341 for 596 observed reflections with F0 > 4σ(F0). The structure is based on sheets of edge- and corner-sharing octahedra parallel to the bc plane. Sheets link in the a direction via oxalate anions.

Three samples of halurgite were re-examined: two from the Chelkar salt dome in the North Caspian Region, Western Kazakhstan (the type locality and including the type specimen), and one from a new locality in the Satimola salt dome located in the same region. The crystal structure of halurgite has been solved for the first time on the specimen from Chelkar with the empirical formula Mg3.94[B8.03O13.03(OH)1.97]2·7.16H2O; refinement began with single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and was subsequently refined on a powder sample using the Rietveld method (Rp = 0.0232, Rwp = 0.0354 and Robs = 0.0558). The idealised crystal chemical formula of halurgite is Mg4[B8O13(OH)2]2·7H2O. The mineral is monoclinic, P2/c, a = 13.201(2), b = 7.5622(10), c = 13.185(2) Å, β = 91.834(14)°, V = 1315.6(4) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure is unique. Eight B polyhedra form a fundamental building block [B8O16(OH)2], which is a six-membered borate ring (built by two pairs of B tetrahedra and two B triangles) with two additional triangular BO2(OH) groups. Each [B8O16(OH)2] ring is linked to six adjacent analogous rings to form a [B8O13(OH)2]∞ layer. These layers are connected via MgO6 and Mg(OH)2(H2O)4 octahedra into a microporous heteropolyhedral pseudo-framework. The crystal structure of halurgite can also be described in terms of an approach developed for heterophyllosilicates containing three-layer HOH modules, where HOH refers to an octahedral layer O sandwiched between two heteropolyhedral layers H. In halurgite the HOH module consists of two heteropolyhedral (BO3 triangles + BO4 tetrahedra) borate H layers [B8O13(OH)2]∞ and a central interrupted O layer composed of MgO6 octahedra, whereas a more voluminous Mg(OH)2(H2O)4 octahedral complex and additional H2O molecules are located between HOH modules. Halurgite and four related synthetic H-free borates M2Cd3B16O28 and M2Ca3B16O28 (M = Rb or Cs) can be considered microporous heterophylloborates.

Ferrierite is the name for a series of zeolite-group of minerals which includes three species with the same ferrierite framework (FER) crystal structure but different extra-framework cations. Recent studies have shown that ferrierite can exhibit a fibrous-asbestiform crystal habit and may possess the same properties as carcinogenic fibrous erionite. Characterisation of the ferrierite in and around a mine location will be helpful in assessing the potential for toxic outcomes of exposure in the mine and any local population.

The zeolite-rich tuff deposit of Lovelock, Nevada, USA is the largest occurrence of diagenetic ferrierite-Mg. A previous survey reported that ferrierite hosted in these rocks displays a fibrous morphology. However, these observations concerned a limited number of samples and until now there has been little evidence of widespread occurrence of fibrous ferrierite in the Lovelock deposit.

The main goal of this study was to perform a mineralogical and morphometric characterisation of the tuff deposit at Lovelock and evaluate the distribution of fibrous ferrierite in the outcrop. For this purpose, a multi-analytical approach including powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission microscopies, micro-Raman spectroscopy, thermal analyses, and surface-area determination was applied.

The results prove fibrous ferrierite is widespread and intermixed with mordenite and orthoclase, although there are variations in the spatial distribution in the bedrock. The crystal habit of the ferrierite ranges from prismatic to asbestiform (elongated, thin and slightly flexible) and fibres are aggregated in bundles. According to the WHO counting criteria, most of the ferrierite fibres can be classified as breathable. While waiting for confirmatory in vitro and in vivo tests to assess the actual toxicity/pathogenicity potential of this mineral fibre, it is recommended to adopt a precautionary approach for mining operations in this area to reduce the risk of exposure.

The new mineral acmonidesite, (NH4,K,Pb2+,Na)9Fe42+(SO4)5Cl8, was found in an active fumarole (fumarole FA, temperature ~250°C) at La Fossa crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Sicily, Italy. It occurs on a pyroclastic breccia as brown prismatic crystals up to 0.10 mm long, in association with salammoniac, alunite and adranosite. The mineral is orthorhombic, space group C2221 (no. 20) with a = 9.841(1), b = 19.448(3) c = 17.847(3) Å, V = 3415.7(9) Å3 and Z = 4. The six strongest reflections in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are: [dobs in Å(I)(hkl)] 8.766(100)(110), 1.805(88)(390), 5.178(45)(131), 4.250(42)(221), 2.926(42)(330) and 2.684(32)(261). The empirical formula (based on 28 anions per formula unit [pfu]) is (NH4)5.77K1.42Pb0.62Na1.24Fe3.96Mn0.08S5.04O20.16Cl7.97Br0.08. The idealised formula is (NH4,K,Pb2+,Na)9Fe42+(SO4)5Cl8. The calculated density is 2.551 g cm–3. Using single-crystal diffraction data, the structure was refined to a final R(F) = 0.0363 for 4614 independent observed reflections [I > 2σ(I)]. The structure contains two independent, distorted octahedral iron sites, Fe1 and Fe2, with the iron atoms in the 2+ oxidation state, as confirmed by the interatomic distances and bond-valence calculations (2.06 and 1.94 vu, respectively). Fe1 is surrounded by two chlorine atoms and four oxygens of the sulfate ions, with the following average distances (Å): Fe1–O 2.125 and Fe1–Cl 2.472; and Fe2 is surrounded by three chlorine atoms and three oxygens of the sulfate ions, with the following average distances (Å): Fe2–O 2.110 and Fe2–Cl 2.531. Three independent sulfate anions are also present and are connected with the iron polyhedra to form a three-dimensional structure containing voids occupied by four independent ammonium ions (two of them partially replaced by K+), one Na+/Pb2+ site and one Cl– ion.

Hitachiite, Pb5Bi2Te2S6, is a new mineral discovered in the Hitachi mine, located in the Ibaraki Prefecture of Japan. The mean of 21 electron microprobe analyses gave: Pb 52.01, Bi 23.06, Fe 0.69, Sb 0.17, Te 13.74, S 9.71, Se 0.54, total 100.04 wt.%. The empirical chemical formula based on 15 apfu is (Pb4.75Fe0.23)Σ4.98(Bi2.09Sb0.03)Σ2.12Te2.04(S5.73Se0.13)Σ5.86, ideally Pb5Bi2Te2S6. Synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments indicated that hitachiite has trigonal symmetry, space group P${\bar 3}$m1, with a = 4.2200(13) Å, c = 27.02(4) Å and Z = 1. The four strongest diffraction peaks shown in the powder X-ray pattern [d, Å (I)(hkl)] are: 3.541(35)(012), 3.391(59)(013), 3.039(100)(015) and 2.114(56)(110). The calculated density (Dcalc) for the empirical chemical formula is 7.54 g/cm3.

The crystal structure of hitachiite has been refined using synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, to R = 7.38% and is based on ABC-type stacking of 15 layers (five Pb, two Bi, two Te, and six S layers) along the [001] direction, and with each layer ideally containing only one kind of atom. The stacking sequence is described as Te–Bi–S–Pb–S–Pb–S–Pb–S–Pb–S–Pb–S–Bi–Te. The discovery of hitachiite implies that the minerals of the Bi2Te2S–PbS join might form a homologous series of Bi2Te2S·nPbS.

Potassic-jeanlouisite, ideally K(NaCa)(Mg4Ti)Si8O22O2, is the first characterised species of oxo amphibole related to the sodium–calcium group, and derives from potassic richterite via the coupled exchange CMg–1W${\rm OH}_{{\rm \ndash 2}}^{\ndash}{} ^{\rm C}{\rm Ti}_1^{{\rm 4 +}} {} ^{\rm W}\!{\rm O}_2^{2\ndash} $. The mineral and the mineral name were approved by the International Mineralogical Association Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification, IMA2018-050. Potassic-jeanlouisite was found in a specimen of leucite which is found in the lava layers, collected in the active gravel quarry on Zirkle Mesa, Leucite Hills, Wyoming, USA. It occurs as pale yellow to colourless acicular crystals in small vugs. The empirical formula derived from electron microprobe analysis and single-crystal structure refinement is: A(K0.84Na0.16)Σ1.00B(Ca0.93Na1.02Mg0.04${\rm Mn}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 01}}^{2 +} $)Σ2.00C(Mg3.85${\rm Fe}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 16}}^{2 +} $Ni0.01${\rm Fe}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 33}}^{3 +} {\rm V}_{{\rm 0}{\rm. 01}}^{3 +} $Ti0.65)Σ5.01T(Si7.76Al0.09Ti0.15)Σ8.00O22W[O1.53F0.47]Σ2.00. The holotype crystal is biaxial (–), with α = 1.674(2), β = 1.688(2), γ = 1.698(2), 2Vmeas. = 79(1)° and 2Vcalc. = 79.8°. The unit-cell parameters are a = 9.9372(10), b = 18.010(2), c = 5.2808(5) Å, β = 104.955(2)°, V = 913.1(2) Å3, Z = 2 and space group C2/m. The strongest eight reflections in the powder X-ray pattern [d values (in Å) (I) (hkl)] are: 2.703 (100) (151); 3.380 (87) (131); 2.541 (80) ($\bar 2$02); 3.151 (70) (310); 3.284 (68) (240); 8.472 (59) (110); 2.587 (52) (061); 2.945 (50) (221,$\bar 1$51).

The new mineral zubkovaite, Ca3Cu3(AsO4)4, was found in the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with anhydrite, svabite, hematite, johillerite, tilasite, fluorophlogopite, sanidine and aphthitalite. Zubkovaite occurs as coarse prismatic crystals up to 0.01 mm × 0.01 mm × 0.2 mm combined in radiating aggregates or crusts. The mineral is transparent, bright sky-blue, turquoise-coloured or light bluish-green, with vitreous lustre. It is brittle, with imperfect cleavage. The Mohs’ hardness is ca 3. Dcalc is 4.161 g cm–3. Zubkovaite is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.747(5), β = 1.774(5), γ = 1.792(5) and 2Vmeas = 75(10)°. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron microprobe) is: CaO 19.22, CuO 27.37, As2O5 52.54, SO3 0.67, total 99.80. The empirical formula based on 16 O apfu is Ca2.96Cu2.97(As3.945S0.07)Σ4.015O16. Zubkovaite is monoclinic, C2, a = 16.836(3), b = 5.0405(8), c = 9.1173(17) Å, β = 117.388(13)°, V = 687.0(2) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the powder XRD pattern [d,Å (I) (hkl)] are: 7.44 (100) ($\bar 2$01), 3.727 (79) (400, $\bar 2$02, $\bar 3$11), 3.334 (92) ($\bar 1$12), 2.914 (73) (311), 2.765 (50) ($\bar 6$01, $\bar 6$02), 2.591 (96) ($\bar 3$13) and 2.521 (53) (020). The crystal structure is unique for minerals. It was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to R = 7.19%. The structure contains trimers of Cu2+-centred polyhedra (consisting of one distorted square CuO4 in the core and two distorted square pyramids CuO5) and two crystallographically independent As5+O4 tetrahedra playing different roles: As(2)O4 tetrahedra link neighbouring trimers into ribbons whereas As(1)O4 tetrahedra link adjacent ribbons into heteropolyhedral layers; Ca cations are located in the interlayer space. The mineral is named in honour of the Russian crystallographer and crystal chemist Natalia Vital'evna Zubkova (born 1976).

Sphalerite is the main source of In – a ‘critical’ metal widely used in high-tech electronics. In this mineral the concentration of In is commonly correlated directly with Cu content. Here we use X-ray absorption spectroscopy of synthetic compounds and natural crystals in order to investigate the substitution mechanisms in sphalerites where In is present, together with the group 11 metals. All the admixtures (Au, Cu, In) are distributed homogeneously within the sphalerite matrix, but their structural and chemical states are different. In all the samples investigated In3+ replaces Zn in the structure of sphalerite. The In ligand distance increases by 0.12 Å and 0.09–0.10 Å for the 1st and 2nd coordination shells, respectively, in comparison with pure sphalerite. The In–S distance in the 3rd coordination shell is close to the one of pure sphalerite. Gold in synthetic sphalerites is coordinated with sulfur (NS = 2.4–2.5, RAu–S = 2.35 ± 0.01 Å). Our data suggest that at high Au concentrations (0.03–0.5 wt.%) the Au2S clusters predominate, with a small admixture of the Au+ solid solution with an Au–S distance of 2.5 Å. Therefore, the homogeneous character of a trace-element distribution, which is commonly observed in natural sulfides, does not confirm formation of a solid solution. In contrast to Au, the presence of Cu+ with In exists only in the solid-solution state, where it is tetrahedrally coordinated with S atoms at a distance of 2.30 ± 0.03 Å. The distant coordination shells of Cu are disordered. These results demonstrate that the group 11 metals (Cu, Ag and Au) can exist in sphalerite in the metastable solid-solution state. The solid solution forms at high temperature via the charge compensation scheme 2Zn2+↔Me++Me3+. The final state of the trace elements at ambient temperature is governed by the difference in ionic radii with the main component (Zn), and concentration of admixtures.

Hydrotalcite, ideally [Mg6Al2(OH)16](CO3)(H2O)4, was studied in samples from Dypingdal, Snarum, Norway (3R and 2H), Zelentsovskaya pit (2H) and Praskovie–Evgenievskaya pit (2H) (both Southern Urals, Russia), Talnakh, Siberia, Russia (3R), Khibiny, Kola, Russia (3R), and St. Lawrence, New York, USA (3R and 2H). Two polytypes, 3R and 2H (both ‘classical’), were confirmed on the basis of single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction data. Their chemical composition was studied by electron-microprobe analysis, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The crystal structure of hydrotalcite-3R was solved by direct methods in the space group R$ {\bar 3} $m on three crystals (two data collections at 290 K and one at 120 K). The unit-cell parameters are as follows (290/290/120 K): a = 3.0728(9)/3.0626(3)/3.0617(4), c = 23.326(9)/23.313(3)/23.203(3) Å and V = 190.7(1)/189.37(4)/188.36(4) Å3. The crystal structures were refined on the basis of 304/150/101 reflections to R1 = 0.075/0.041/0.038. Hydrotalcite-2H crystallises in the P63/mmc space group; unit-cell parameters for two crystals are (data collection at 290 K and 93 K): a = 3.046(1)/3.0521(9), c = 15.447(6)/15.439(4) Å, V = 124.39(8)/124.55(8) Å3. The crystal structures were refined on the basis of 160/142 reflections to R1 = 0.077/0.059. This paper reports the first single-crystal structure data on hydrotalcite. Hydrotalcite distribution in Nature, diagnostic features, polytypism, interlayer topology and localisation of M2+–M3+ cations within metal hydroxide layers are discussed.

Fluorapatite with monazite-(Ce) and xenotime-(Y) microinclusions occurs in the lithium–caesium–tantalum pegmatite body A of the Volta Grande mine, Minas Gerais state, Southeast Brazil. The fluorapatite displays faint zoning, detected mainly by cathodoluminescence. Electron probe and laser ablation analyses indicate that zoning in the fluorapatite corresponds to variation in Mn and rare-earth element (REE) content. Such compositional variation is attributed to partial removal of the REE from the fluorapatite structure during a dissolution–reprecipitation process, forming monazite-(Ce) and xenotime-(Y) microinclusions in the REE-depleted zones of the fluorapatite. These inclusions exhibit an inherited geochemical signature, manifested by low Th and U concentrations when compared to monazite and xenotime crystallised from melts. Rhodochrosite and calcite inclusions are also associated with monazite-(Ce) and xenotime-(Y) and are probably products of the same process, recycling Ca, Mn, and CO32− from the fluorapatite through the following reaction: [Ca(5–2a–b–½x),Naa,(Y + REE)a,Mnb][(PO4)3–x(CO3)x(F)] + Fluid[a(2Ca2+ + P5+) + (x–b)(Ca2+) + H2O)] → [Ca5(PO4)3(F,OH)] + a[(Y + REE)PO4] + b[Mn(CO3)] + (x–b)[Ca(CO3)] + Fluid a[Na+].

On the basis of new fluid-inclusion analyses, we propose that a hot (T > 204.5°C), salty (16 wt.% eq. NaCl, attributed to LiCl), hydrous fluid mediated the dissolution–reprecipitation of the fluorapatite. This fluid corresponds to similarly described Li-rich fluids which were suggested to have re-equilibrated the mineralogical assemblage at the Volta Grande mine.

The new minerals cuatrocapaite-(NH4) (IMA2018-083) and cuatrocapaite-(K) (IMA2018-084) are the NH4- and K-dominant members of a series with the general formula (NH4,K)3(NaMg□)(As2O3)6Cl6·16H2O. Both minerals were found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where they occur as secondary alteration phases. Both minerals occur as hexagonal tablets up to ~0.3 mm in diameter. They are transparent, with a vitreous lustre and white streak. For both, the Mohs hardness is ca. 2½, the crystals are somewhat flexible, but not elastic, the fracture is irregular and the cleavage is perfect on {001}. The measured densities are 2.65(2) and 2.76(2) g/cm3 for the NH4- and K-dominant species, respectively. Optically, cuatrocapaite-(NH4) is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.779(3) and ε = 1.541(3) and cuatrocapaite-(K) is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.777(3) and ε = 1.539(3) (white light). The minerals are insoluble in acids, but decompose in NaOH(aq). The empirical formulas, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, are (NH4)2.48Na1.66Mg0.87K0.09(As12O18.05)Cl5.88·16.02H2O and K2.68Na1.33Mg0.93(NH4)0.31(As12O18.01)Cl6.16·16.04H2O. The minerals are trigonal, space group R${\bar 3}$m; the cuatrocapaite-(NH4) cell parameters are a = 5.25321(19), c = 46.6882(19) Å, V = 1115.80(9) Å3 and Z = 1; the cuatrocapaite-(K) cell parameters are a = 5.2637(15), c = 46.228(8) Å, V = 1109.2(7) Å3 and Z = 1. The structures, refined for cuatrocapaite-(NH4) to R1 = 1.78% for 544 Io > 2σI reflections, contain four types of layers: (1) a planar neutral As2O3 (arsenite) sheet; (2) an (${\rm NH}_{\rm 4}^{\vskip -2pt\rm \scale65% +} $,K+) layer that links adjacent arsenite sheets; (3) a Cl– layer placed on the As side of each arsenite; and (4) a layer containing partially occupied Na, Mg and H2O sites that is flanked on either side by Cl layers. The layer sequence for the type 1, 2 and 3 layers is identical to the Cl–As2O3–K–As2O3–Cl layer sequence in the structures of lucabindiite and gajardoite.

The new durangite-group mineral arsenatrotitanite, ideally NaTiO(AsO4), was found in the Arsenatnaya fumarole at the Second scoria cone of the Northern Breakthrough of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption, Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. It is associated with orthoclase, tenorite, hematite, johillerite, bradaczekite, badalovite, calciojohillerite, arsmirandite, tilasite, svabite, cassiterite, pseudobrookite, rutile, sylvite, halite, aphthitalite, langbeinite and anhydrite. Arsenatrotitanite occurs as prismatic, tabular, lamellar or acicular crystals up to 0.3 mm × 0.8 mm × 2 mm. They are separated or combined in open-work aggregates up to 2 mm across or interrupted crusts up to 2 mm × 5 mm in area and up to 0.3 mm thick. Arsenatrotitanite is transparent, brownish red to pale pinkish-reddish or almost colourless, with vitreous lustre. It is brittle and the Mohs’ hardness is ~5½. Cleavage is perfect on {110} and the fracture is stepped. Dcalc is 3.950 g cm–3. Arsenatrotitanite is optically biaxial (+), α = 1.825(5), β = 1.847(6), γ = 1.896(6) (589 nm) and 2Vmeas. = 70(5)°. Chemical composition (wt.%, electron-microprobe) is: Na2O 12.26, CaO 3.10, Al2O3 4.39, Fe2O3 9.57, TiO2 17.11, SnO2 1.03, As2O5 50.17, F 3.29, O = F –2.39, total 99.53. The empirical formula based on 5 (O + F) apfu is (Na0.91Ca0.13)Σ1.04(Ti0.49Fe3+0.27Al0.20Sn0.02)Σ0.98(As1.00O4.00)(O0.60F0.40). Arsenatrotitanite is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 6.6979(3), b = 8.7630(3), c = 7.1976(3) Å, β = 114.805(5)°, V = 383.48(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 4.845(89)($\bar{1} {11}}$), 3.631(36)(021), 3.431(48)(111), 3.300(100)($\bar{1} {12}}$), 3.036(100)(200), 2.627(91)(130) and 2.615(57)(022). The crystal structure was solved from single-crystal XRD data with R = 1.76%. Arsenatrotitanite belongs to the titanite/durangite structure type. It is named as an arsenate of sodium (natrium in Latin) and titanium isostructural with titanite.

Agates with spectacular micro-structural features were found in volcanic rocks at several occurrences in the Saar-Nahe region (Germany). These agates include spirals of several tens up to several hundreds of μm in size within zones lacking the characteristic structural agate banding. A combined mineralogical study by polarising microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence microscopy and spectroscopy, and electron backscatter diffraction provided evidence that the spirals consist of well-ordered trigonal α-quartz, whereas the surrounding matrix is composed of strongly disordered or amorphous SiO2 phases. The quartz micro-crystals show a systematic rotation of the crystal orientation perpendicular to the direction of the spiral loops indicating helical growth.

It is assumed that the spiral growth is initiated by dislocations with a screw component. The lacking symmetry of the strongly disordered or amorphous matrix initiated a curved development by a screw dislocation in a system far from equilibrium. The atoms/molecules are packed into spiral layers, which is energetically favoured in comparison with the incorporation into plane crystal faces. Such self-organisation growth and polymerisation initiated by a screw dislocation can produce variable spiral morphologies sometimes resembling living forms.

The new mineral stefanweissite, IMA2018-020, was discovered in sanidinite volcanic ejecta from the Laach Lake (Laacher See) paleovolcano, Eifel region, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. Associated minerals are sanidine, nosean, biotite, augite, titanite, ferriallanite-(La), magnetite, baddeleyite and a pyrochlore-group mineral. Stefanweissite is brown and reddish-brown, with adamantine lustre; the streak is light brown to yellow. It forms long-prismatic crystals up to 0.03 mm × 0.07 mm × 1.0 mm and acicular crystals up to 2 mm long and 0.02 mm thick typically combined in radiated aggregates in cavities in sanidinite. Dcalc. = 5.254 g/cm3. The mean refractive index calculated from the Gladstone–Dale equation is 2.260. The Raman spectrum shows the absence of hydrogen-bearing groups. The chemical composition is (electron microprobe, wt.%): CaO 7.63, MnO 2.51, FeO 7.86, Al2O3 0.25, La2O3 2.28, Ce2O3 6.54, Pr2O3 1.01, Nd2O3 1.59, ThO2 3.71, UO2 1.09, TiO2 17.32, ZrO2 28.03, HfO2 0.91, Nb2O5 19.96, total 99.69. The empirical formula based on 14 O atoms per formula unit is Ca1.13(Ce0.33La0.12Nd0.08Pr0.05)Σ0.58Th0.12U0.03Mn0.29Fe0.91Al0.04Zr1.89Hf0.04Ti1.80Nb1.19O14. The simplified formula is (Ca,REE)2Zr2(Nb,Ti)(Ti,Nb)2Fe2+O14. Stefanweissite is orthorhombic, with space group Cmca. The unit-cell parameters are: a = 7.2896(4) Å, b = 14.1435(5) Å, c = 10.1713(4) Å and V = 1048.68(7) Å3. The crystal structure was solved using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Stefanweissite is an analogue of zirconolite-3O with Nb dominant over Ti in one of two octahedral sites. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 2.983(100)(202), 2.897(71)(042), 1.828(38)(154, 400, 333), 1.793(25)(244), 1.767(16)(080), 1.517(10)(282), 1.187(19)(483, 1.11.3, 602). Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, with the registration number 5191/1.