Parkinsonite, ideally (Pb,Mo,□)8O8Cl2, is a new mineral from the Merehead Quarry, Cranmore, Somerset, England. It occurs as compact clusters or patches of red to purplish red bladed crystals, which have an adamantine lustre and a perfect {001} cleavage and occupy fractures and cavities in carbonate vughs in veins of manganese and iron oxide and hydroxide minerals. Associated minerals are mendipite, diaboleite, chloroxiphite, wulfenite, cerussite and hydrocerussite. Discrete crystals were not found; intergrown crystalline aggregates are the usual form of occurrence. The maximum grain size is about 300 × 100 µm, but most grains are appreciably smaller. Parkinsonite was synthesized using high purity chemicals. The measured density of the synthetic material is 7.32 g/cm3; the calculated density is 7.39 g/cm3, the difference being due to minor impurity and slight porosity in the synthetic sample. Parkinsonite is translucent. Reflectance spectra were obtained in air and in oil. Refractive indices calculated from these (at 589 nm) are for Ro, 2.58, and Re', 2.42, i.e. uniaxial negative. VHN50 is 113–133 from which the calculated Mobs hardness is 2–2.5.

X-ray studies show that parkinsonite is tetragonal with space group I4/mmm, I4̄2m, I4̄m2, I4/mm, or I422 and a 3.9922(3), c 22.514(2) Å. It has a cell volume of 358.82(5) Å3 with Z = 1. The strongest six lines of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d in Å (I) (hkl)] 2.823, 2.813(100) (110,008); 5.63(85) (004); 2.251(33) (116, 0.0.10); 2.988(27) (105); 3.750(15) (006); 1.994(11) (200,118). Averaged electron microprobe analyses give the empirical formula Pb6.34Mo0.89□0.77O8.02Cl1.98 on the basis of 10 atoms [O + Cl]. The name is for Reginald F. D. Parkinson, mineral collector of Somerset, UK, who first found the mineral.

Magnetite grains with exsolved ilmenite lamellae may be replaced by pyrite or carbonate in phlogopitites of the Catalão I carbonatite complex, Goiás State, Brazil. The ilmenite is transformed in part to priderite and sometimes to rutile. Priderite occurs as small anhedral grains (< 0.2mm) or composite crystals associated with ilmenite and rutile. Chalcopyrite, magnetite, monazite, and pyrochlore also occur inside the area of original magnetite grains. The priderite belongs to the K2FeTi7O16-BaFeTi7O16 series with K/(K + Ba) ranging from 1.0 to 0.53. The highest contents for other elements are: V2O3 2.65, Cr2O3 4.1, and Nb2O5 1.98 wt.%. Priderites associated with magnetite have the highest V, Cr, and Nb contents whereas others have the highest Ba content. Zoning characterized by K-Ba substitution is patchy but always present. V-and Cr-poor priderites are similar in composition to priderites from lamproites, and the V- and Cr-rich ones are compositionally similar to hollandite-group minerals found in kimberlites.

Palladian gold from the Cauê iron mine, Itabira District, Minas Gerais, Brazil is found in horizons of hydrothermally-altered Lake Superior-type oxide-facies iron-formation locally called jacutinga. Palladium content of the gold grains varies from 1% to 20%, high palladium values being associated with palladium-copper-oxide inclusions and showing island-mainland and replacement (relict) textures in the Corpo Y and Corpo X orebodies. In the Aba Leste orebody, palladium is homogeneously distributed throughout the gold grains.

Palladium and gold mineralization was synchronous with intense D1 shearing. Palladium was deposited early during the generation of S1-mylonitic foliation, and was replaced by gold during progressive deformation.

At high oxygen fugacities (hematite stability field) and high temperatures (up to 600°C) Pd and Au may have been transported as chloride complexes, and their deposition may have occurred mainly as a result of changes in pH, but dilution of Cl concentrations may have also caused Pd and Au precipitation. Deposition of Pd as selenide may have taken place early during the creation of S1-fabrics.

A thermodynamic prediction of the Gibbs free energy of formation (ΔGfo) of nukundamite (empirical composition Cu5.5FeS6.5) was made in order to specify whether the nukundamite + chalcopyrite or the bornite + pyrite assemblage is stable in the Cu-Fe-S system. The results of calculations using previously reported data of ΔGfo values of some Cu-Fe-sulphide minerals in equilibrium with nukundamite indicate that the total free energy of the nukundamite + chalcopyrite assemblage is appreciably higher than that of the bornite + pyrite assemblage in the temperature range 250–400°C. This means that nukundamite + chalcopyrite is a metastable assemblage under common ore-forming conditions.

The occurrence of nukundamite is not uncommon in the Fijian kuroko deposits in contrast to the Japanese kuroko deposits. A thermochemical treatment for this phenomenon leads to the interpretation that the black ore containing nukundamite in the Fijian deposit was formed under relatively highsulphidation and low-pH conditions. This suggestion is in good agreement with the present experimental result that the bornite + pyrite assemblage was produced in the temperature range 350–250°C by using near-neutral hydrothermal solutions.

Cobalt-rich spinel is found as a ∼200 µm inclusion, together with a glassy phase, in a gem-quality blue sapphire from Bo Ploi, Thailand. This is the first reported natural occurrence of such a spinel. Its composition is directly analogous with that of cochromite, a previously reported rare cobalt-rich chromite. The compositional ranges for the cobalt-rich spinel, obtained using electron microprobe and proton microprobe (methods described below), are Al2O3 48.18–61.27 %, CoO 19.7–22.84 %, Cr2O3 0–12.28 %, FeO 8.64–9.67 %, MgO 6.04–6.89, TiO2 0.49–0.73 %, Ni 2251–2532 p.p.m., Zn 335–371 p.p.m., Mn < 177–849 p.p.m., Ga 113–153 p.p.m., Nb 24–1252 p.p.m., Zr <4–167 p.p.m., Sn 22–428 p.p.m., As <4–56 p.p.m., Sr <4–59 p.p.m., Ag 13–64 p.p.m. Transition elements decrease in abundance from core to rim of the spinel while the other elements increase. Crystal chemical considerations suggest that a vacancy-creating substitution mechanism may be operative in the cobalt-rich spinel despite the small scale, i.e. 3Co2+ = 2Al3+ + [4]□. The glassy phase coexisting with the spinel is likely to be the product of heating by the host basaltic magma. The mode of occurrence of the cobalt-rich spinel prevents further physical investigation. This unusual spinel is considered to be the result of a complex magma mixing process in the lower crust.

Enrichments in Ba, REE and Y abundances, occurrences of REE, Y-bearing phosphate, depletions in K and Rb, and negative Ce anomalies in some lavas on Kahoolawe (Hawaii) reflect secondary mobilization of Ba, REE, Y, K and Rb. Hollandite (Ba-Mn-oxide) in the groundmass of a Kahoolawe lava contains nearly 10 wt.% BaO, ∼ 1.1 wt.% CeO2, and small amounts of La, Nd, Y, K, Na, P, Cl and Cu to provide an example of where elements mobilized during weathering processes on the Hawaiian Islands find residence. Fe-vernadite, a second Mn-oxide, also hosts mobilized REE and Ba. A positive Ce anomaly in the hollandite complements the negative Ce anomaly in some Kahoolawe lavas, this is analogous to Ce accumulation in todorokite of manganese nodules complementing Ce-depleted seawater. Mn-oxides, then, can serve as links between lavas depleted and enriched in certain elements.

The chemical formula of fiedlerite, a rare hydrated lead halide, has been revised. The mineral is now known to contain also fluorine, and the new, correct formula is Pb3Cl4F(OH)·H2O. X-ray diffraction studies on fiedlerite from Laurion, Greece (the type locality), and from Baratti, Italy (the second known occurrence), revealed its Order-Disorder (OD) character. All structures within this OD family can be built up by layers of the same kind. The two polytypes with Maximum Degree of Order (MDO) display triclinic and monoclinic symmetry, with one and two OD layers, respectively, in the unit cell. On these grounds the nomenclature of fiedlerite has been revised, and the mineral is designated together with the polytype suffix (i.e. fiedlerite-1A, fiedlerite-2M). The crystal structures of the two MDO polytypes of fiedlerite have been solved and refined: fiedlerite-1A: P, a = 8.574(3) Å, b = 8.045(4), c = 7.276(2), α = 89.96(4)° β = 102.05(4), γ = 103.45(4), R = 0.092; fiedlerite-2M: P21/a, a = 16.681(4) Å, b = 8.043(3), c = 7.281(2), β = 102.56(4)°, R = 0.061. In both structures Pb is eight-coordinated by different ligands [CI−, F−, (OH)−, H2O] that define bicapped trigonal prisms.

Mcalpineite, ideally Cu3TeO6·H2O, occurs as isolated 0.5 mm-sized emerald green cryptocrystalline crusts on white quartz at the long-abandoned McAlpine mine, Tuolumne County, California, U.S.A. Associated nonmetallic phases are muscovite (mariposite), calcite, goethite, hematite, chlorargyrite, choloalite, keystoneite, mimetite, malachite, azurite, annabergite and a host of unidentified crusts, both crystalline and amorphous. Associated metallic minerals include pyrite, acanthite, hessite, electrum, altaite, native silver, galena, pyrargyrite, sphalerite and owyheeite. The mineral has also been identified at the Centennial Eureka mine, Juab County, Utah, U.S.A., where it occurs as interstitial olive-green coatings and as millimetre-sized dark green-black cryptocrystalline nodules lining drusy quartz vugs. Associated minerals are xocomecatlite, hinsdalite-svanbergite, goethite and several new species including two hydrated copper tellurates, a hydrated copper-zinc tellurate/tellurite, and a hydrated copper-zinc tellurate/tellurite-arsenate-chloride. Mcalpineite is cubic, P-lattice (space group unknown), a = 9.555(2) Å, V = 872.4(4) Å. The strongest six lines in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern [d in Å (I) (hkl)] are: 4.26(40)(210), 2.763(100)(222), 2.384(70)(400), 1.873(40)(431,510), 1.689(80)(440) and 1.440(60)(622). The average of four electron-microprobe analyses (McAlpine mine) is CuO 50.84, NiO 0.17, PbO 4.68, SiO2 0.65, TeO3 39.05, H2O (calc.) [4.51], total [100.00] wt. %. With O = 7, the empirical formula is (Cu2.79Pb0.09Ni0.01)∑2.89(Te0.97Si0.05)∑1.02O5.90·1.10H2O. This gives a calculated density of 6.65. g/cm3 for Z = 8. The average of two electron-microprobe analyses (Centennial Eureka mine) is CuO 51.2, ZnO 3.1, TeO3 39.0, SiO2 0.2, As2O5 0.8, H2O (by CHN elemental analyser) 7, total 101.3 wt. %, leading to the empirical formula (Cu2.56Zn0.15)∑2.71 (Te0.88Si0.02As0.02)∑0.92O5.47·1.53H2O. The infrared absorption spectrum shows definite bands for structural H2O with an O-H stretching frequency centred at 3320 cm−1 and a H-O-H flexing frequency centred at 1600 cm−1. In reflected light Mcalpineite is isotropic, nondescript grey, with ubiquitous brilliant apple to lime green internal reflections. The refractive index calculated from Fresnel equations is 2.01. Measured reflectance values in air and in oil are tabulated. Reflectance study also shows that cryptocrystalline aggregates are composed of micron-sized sheaves of fibrous or prismatic crystals. Other physical properties include: adamantine lustre; light green streak; brittle; uneven fracture; translucent to transparent and nonfluorescent under both long- and short-wave ultraviolet light. The name is for the first known locality, the McAlpine mine.

The crystal structures of synthetic 7 Å and 10 Å manganates, synthetic birnessite and buserite, substituted by mono- and divalent cations were investigated by X-ray and electron diffractions. The monoclinic unit cell parameters of the subcell of lithium 7 Å manganate, which is one of the best ordered manganates, were obtained by computing the X-ray powder diffraction data: a = 5.152 Å, b = 2.845 Å, c = 7.196 Å, β = 103.08°. On the basis of the indices obtained by computing the X-ray diffraction data of Li 7 Å manganate, monovalent Na, K and Cs and divalent Be, Sr and Ba 7 Å manganates were interpreted as the same monoclinic structure with β = 100–103° as that of Li 7 Å manganate, from their X-ray diffraction data. In addition, divalent Mg, Ca and Ni 10 Å manganates were also interpreted as the same monoclinic crystal system with β = 90–94° The unit cell parameters, especially a, c and β, change possibly with the type of substituent cation probably because of the different ionic radius, hydration energy and molar ratio of substituent cation to manganese. However, these diffraction data, except for those of Sr and Ba 7 Å and Ca and Ni 10 Å manganates, reveal only some parts of the host manganese structure with the edge-shared [MnO6] octahedral layer. On the other hand, one of the superlattice reflections observed in the electron diffractions was found in the X-ray diffraction lines for heavier divalent cations Sr and Ba 7 Å and Ca and Ni 10 Å manganates. The reflection presumably results from the substituent cation position in the interlayer which is associated with the vacancies in the edge-shared [MnO6] layer and indicates that the essential vacancies are linearly arranged parallel to the b-axis. Furthermore, the characteristic superlattice reflection patterns for several cations, Li, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba and Ni, manganates were interpreted that the substituent cations are regularly distributed in the interlayer according to the exchange percentage of substituent cation to Na+. In contrast, the streaking in the a-direction observed strongly in the electron diffractions for heavier monovalent cations, K and Cs, manganates probably results from the disordering of their cations in the a-direction in the interlayer.

Iowaite has been re-examined using new, well crystallized material from the Palabora open pit mine, Transvaal. Microprobe, carbon analyser and thermal analyses, powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared, UV-visible and mass spectroscopic and optical studies were made. The ideal formula is (OH)16Cl2·4H2O. It is trigonal, R3̄m, a = 3.1183(9), c = 24.113(8) Å, V = 203.1(2) Å3, Z = 3/8; Dobs 2.09 g/cm3.; Dcalc 2.04 g/cm3; hardness (Mohs)=2 1/2. The interlayer Cl− ions are displaced from the threefold axis. It is uniaxial negative, with ω = 1.561 ± 0.002, ε = 1.543 ± 0.002; coloured crystals are intensely pleochroic, due to intervalence charge transfer between the Fe3+ and Fe2+ substituting for Mg2+, with O pale yellow, E deep blue-green.

Pseudorutile, , has recently been revalidated as a mineral species, and the neotype locality is now South Neptune Island, South Australia. Powder X-ray diffraction data are given on a hexagonal primitive unit cell with a = 2.8667(5) and c = 4.5985(9) Å. Leucoxene, arizonite and proarizonite are considered to be mixtures. Kleberite is considered to be a hydroxylian pseudorutile, .

A new compositional variety of zirconolite characterized by high Mg, Al, Y2O3 and REE, and low Fe is described from a sapphirine granulite xenolith entrained in an intrusive norite body which was emplaced into the late Archaean (2520–2480 Ma) Vestfold Hills high-grade terrain during the early Proterozoic. The zirconolite, and similarly Mg-Al rich perrierite-(Ce), formed as a result of sanidinite facies partial melting of the particularly magnesian and aluminous sapphirine granulite xenolith during its incorporation into the c. 1170°C basic magma at c. 2240 Ma. The high REE compared to Al cations require that a previously unrecognized coupled substitution:

occurs in this zirconolite. Full chemical analyses are presented for zirconolite and perrierite from this unique occurrence.

The a-, σ- and π-spectra of quartz in the IR regions were measured under FTIR spectroscopy, and overtone and combination modes perpendicular to the c-axis of quartz were confirmed to be electric vector active by the coincidence of the a-spectrum with the σ-spectrum among the three kinds of spectra. Absorption coefficients of overtone and combination modes intrinsic to the a- σ-, and п-spectra of quartz were measured. The thickness of quartz thin sections can be determined by applying the absorption coefficients obtained from the α- and σ-spectra to the polarized IR absorption spectra measured under E ⊥ the c-axis.

Synchrotron X-ray topography was the principal perfection-assessment method employed. X-ray wavelengths were chosen that gave optimum penetration and diffraction contrast characteristics for the size of crystals examined. Two colourles transparent specimens were selected for comprehensive study. Both were of simple habit consisting of the prism {101̄0} terminated at each end by major and minor rhombohedral facets only. The larger specimen, volume ≈250 mm3, contained a moderately high but non-uniformly distributed dislocation population, totalling ≈103, all emanating from a roughly centrally located small nuclear volume. One apical region was dislocation-free. Optical microscopic observations including Nomarski interference contrast of features on one major rhombohedral facet in this region are described. The smaller specimen, volume ≈30 mm3, was remarkable for its low dislocation content, ≈20 in total, all radiating from a central point. Enhancement of dislocation image visibility relative to diffraction contrast images of severe surface damage on this crystal was demonstrated using higher-order X-ray reflections. Neither of the specimens studied in detail contained twinning or evident diffraction contrast from impurity zoning. Their lack of a microscopically visible or X-ray topographically detectable nucleating body favours a homogenous nucleation origin of these crystals.

Detailed examination of ‘staringite’ by X-ray precession photography and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows it to consist of a sub-microscopic intergrowth of cassiterite and tapiolite. ‘Staringite’ is discredited as a valid mineral species.

Infrared spectroscopy is a rapid method of distinguishing between pseudomalachite and its polymorphs reichenbachite and ludjibaite. This technique, backed by X-ray diffraction has shown that a number of specimens labelled ‘pseudomalachite’ from Cornwall, in particular from Old Gunnislake mine, are of reichenbachite, thus identified for the first time from the British Isles. Reichenbachite has also been identified with pseudomalachite from Miguel Vacas mine, Vila Viçosa, Evora, Portugal. Identification of pseudomalachite from a number of other localities world-wide has been confirmed, and some specimens have been shown to be arsenatian.

Synthetic Ag-doped PbS samples were Ar ion beam milled and examined by HRTEM. The silver was found to aggregate in inclusions which have no crystallographic relationship to the PbS host, rather than forming crystallographic defects. The Ag2S inclusions are 500 Å in diameter or larger. The limit of Ag substitution into PbS in solid solution in the absence of Bi or Sb is less than 0.1 mol %. The ion beam milling process introduced a large number of small dislocations in both Ag-doped and pure PbS specimens. These dislocations are thought to be formed through coalescences of point defects.

This paper reports the first in-situ finding of perrierite-(Ce) in Latium. The mineral occurs as brownish-red, transparent, well-developed, euhedral, prismatic crystals inside the miarolitic cavities of a holocrystalline ejectum from La Mola, Monti dell'Anguillara district, Sabatini volcanic complex.

The cell parameters (from Gandolfi film) are (in Å): a = 13.629(9), b = 5.727(1), c = 11.715(6), β(°) = 113.74(2), V(Å3) = 835.5(9). The crystal-chemical formula, based on microprobe analysis of one grain, is:

This perrierite is the most Zr-rich described so far. The entry of Zr in the C site of the structure is related to the substitution of large amounts of Ca in the A site, according to the charge balancing relationship:

The genesis of perrierite-(Ce) from La Mola is linked to late pneumatolitic-pegmatitic hypabyssal stages of the regional volcanic activity.

Nifontovite and olshanskyite, two rare hydrous calcium borate minerals, have been found in crystalline limestone near gehlenite-spurrite skarns at Fuka, Okayama Prefecture. Nifontovite occurs as aggregates of tabular crystals up to 5 cm long and 1.5 cm wide, and rarely as euhedral crystals up to 1 mm long. Olshanskyite occurs as anhedral masses, or as micro-twinned platy crystals up to 1 cm long. Wet chemical analyses give the empirical formulae Ca3.052B5.991O6.038(OH)12·1.96H2O and Ca2.888B3.997(OH)18 on the basis of O = 20 for nifontovite and OH=18 for olshanskyite, respectively. The formulae are consistent with those from type localities.

The X-ray powder data for these minerals were determined with accuracy. The unit cell parameters of nifontovite agree closely with those published previously. X-ray studies show that olshanskyite is triclinic with the possible space group P1̄ or P1 and a = 9.991(5), b = 14.740(11), c = 7.975(3) Å, α = 94.53(4), β = 69.08(3), γ = 112.44(5)° and Z = 3. The density 2.19 g cm−3 (meas.) obtained for olshanskyite agrees with the estimated ideal value 2.31 g cm−3 (calc.). Nifontovite was formed by hydrothermal alteration of an anhydrous borate, and olshanskyite was formed by hydrothermal alteration of nifontovite and the anhydrous borate.

The phase petrology of two bodies of basic granulites occurring in association with supracrustal sequences within a dextral oblique-slip shear complex in the high-grade terrain of south India, have been studied. Some metabasites are characterized by garnet + clinopyroxene assemblages such as Grt + Cpx + PI ± Hbl ± Opx ± Qtz + Fe-Ti oxide(s) which are high-pressure granulites (garnet-clinopyroxene subfacies) transitional between the intermediate-pressure granulites (orthopyroxene-plagioclase subfacies) and eclogite. Mineralogical characteristics suggest that metamorphic conditions did not reach the eclogite facies but certainly approached that level. Close spatial association of the garnetiferous varieties with garnet-free assemblages (Opx + Hbl + Pl ± Cpx) and intimate juxtaposition of anhydrous and hydrous assemblages indicate a complex interplay of variable μH2O and bulk composition, especially αSiO2. Due to variable and low closure temperature of Fe-Mg exchange reactions between coexisting pyroxene and garnet, reliable estimation of peak temperatures during this near eclogite-facies metamorphism is problematic. A combination of a garnet-clinopyroxene barometer and various temperature estimates suggests P-T conditions of 875 ± 25°C and 8 ± 1 kbar for the Mettuppalaiyam samples and 900 ± 50°C and 14 ± 2 kbar for the Kanjamalai samples. Bulk rock chemical differences in terms of SiO2-content can account for the development of similar mineral assemblages along a near adiabatic metamorphic gradient between these two localities. These assemblages represent some of the highest grade granulite facies rocks in south India. The high-pressure granulites are not in situ samples of ancient lower continental crust, but low-pressure protoliths buried at depth. Textural features suggest that the high-pressure garnet-clinopyroxene subfacies rocks evolved from an amphibolitic assemblage by formation of garnet at the expense of hornblende and plagioclase and this high-pressure assemblage underwent an isothermal decompression indicating a clockwise P-T-t path resulting from crustal thickening and exhumation. A later isobaric cooling, possibly accompanying shearing and high H2O influx (aH2O≈0.78) gave rise to the coexisting orthopyroxeneplagioclase subfacies rocks (intermediate pressure granulites).