Ianbruceite, ideally [Zn2(OH)(H2O)(AsO4)](H2O)2, a new arsenate mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia: description and crystal structure

2012 ◽  
Vol 76 (5) ◽  
pp. 1119-1131 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Cooper ◽  
Y. A. Abdu ◽  
N. A. Ball ◽  
F. C. Hawthorne ◽  
M. E. Back ◽  
...  

AbstractIanbruceite, ideally [Zn2(OH)(H2O)(AsO4)](H2O)2, is a new supergene mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia. It occurs as thin platy crystals up to 80 μm long and a few μm thick, which form flattened aggregates up to 0.10 mm across, and ellipsoidal aggregates up to 0.5 mm across. It is associated with coarse white leiteite, dark blue köttigite, minor legrandite and adamite. Ianbruceite is sky blue to very pale blue with a white streak and a vitreous lustre; it does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. It has perfect cleavage parallel to (100), is flexible, and deforms plastically. The Mohs hardness is 1 and the calculated density is 3.197 g cm-3. The refractive indices are α = 1.601, β = 1.660, γ = 1.662, all ±0.002; 2Vobs = 18(2)°, 2Vcalc = 20°, and the dispersion is r < v, weak. Ianbruceite is monoclinic, space group P21/c, a = 11.793(2), b = 9.1138(14), c = 6.8265(10) Å, β = 103.859(9)°, V = 712.3(3) Å3, Z = 4, a:b:c = 1.2940:1:0.7490. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d(Å), I, (hkl)] are as follows: 11.29, 100, (100); 2.922, 17, (130); 3.143, 15, (202); 3.744, 11, (300); 2.655, 9, (230); 1.598, 8, (152); 2.252, 7, (222). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave As2O5 36.27, As2O3 1.26, Al2O3 0.37, ZnO 49.72, MnO 0.32, FeO 0.71, K2O 0.25, H2Ocalc 19.89, sum 108.79 wt.%; the very high oxide sum is due to the fact that the calculated H2O content is determined from crystal-structure analysis, but H2O is lost under vacuum in the electron microprobe.The crystal structure of ianbruceite was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 8.6%. The As is tetrahedrally coordinated by four O anions with a mean As O distance of 1.687 Å. Zigzag [[5]Zn[6]Znϕ7] chains extend in the c direction and are linked in the b direction by sharing corners with (AsO4) tetrahedra to form slabs with a composition [Zn2(OH)(H2O)(AsO4)]. The space between these slabs is filled with disordered (H2O) groups and minor lone-pair stereoactive As3+. The ideal formula derived from chemical analysis and crystal-structure solution and refinement is [Zn2(OH)(H2O)(AsO4)](H2O)2.

2011 ◽  
Vol 75 (5) ◽  
pp. 2687-2702 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. P. Khomyakov ◽  
F. Cámara ◽  
E. Sokolova ◽  
Y. Abdu ◽  
F. C. Hawthorne

AbstractSveinbergeite, Ca(Fe2+6Fe3+)Ti2(Si4O12)2O2(OH)5(H2O)4, is a new astrophyllite-group mineral discovered in a syenite pegmatite at Buer on the Vesteroya peninsula, Sandefjord, Oslo Region, Norway. The mineral occurs in pegmatite cavities as 0.01—0.05 mm thick lamellar (0.2—0.5×5—10 mm) crystals forming rosette-like divergent groups and spherical aggregates, which are covered by brown coatings of iron (and possibly manganese) oxides, associated with magnesiokatophorite, aegirine, microcline, albite. calcite, fluorapatite, molybdenite, galena and a hochelagaite-like mineral. Crystals of sveinbergeite are deep green with a pale green streak and a vitreous and pearly lustre. Sveinbergeite has perfect cleavage on ﹛001﹜ and a Mohs hardness of 3. Its calculated density is 3.152 g/cm3. It is biaxial positive with α 1.745(2), β 1.746(2), γ 1.753(2), 2V(meas.) = 20(3)°. The mineral is pleochroic according to the scheme Z > X ∽ Y : Z is deep green, X and Y are brownish green. Orientation is as follows: X ┴ L (001), Y ᶺ b = 12°, Z = a, elongation positive. Sveinbergeite is triclinic, space group P1̄, a = 5.329(4), b = 11.803(8), c = 11.822(8) Å; α = 101.140(8)°, β = 98.224(8)°, γ = 102.442(8)°; V = 699.0(8) Å3; Z = 1. The nine strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 11.395(100)(001,010). 2.880(38)(004), 2.640(31)(2̄10,l̄41), 1.643(24)(07̄1,072), 2.492(20)(2l̄l), 1.616(15)(070), 1.573(14)(3̄2̄2), 2.270(13)(1̄3̄4) and 2.757(12)(1̄40,1̄3̄2). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave Nb2O5 0.55, TiO2 10.76, ZrO2 0.48, SiO2 34.41, A12O3 0.34, Fe2O3 5.57, FeO 29.39, MnO 1.27, CaO 3.87, MgO 0.52, K2O 0.49, Na2O 0.27, F 0.24, H2O 8.05, O=F -0.10, sum 96.11 wt.%, the amount of H2O was determined from structure refinement, and the valence state of Fe was calculated from structure refinement in accord with Mossbauer spectroscopy. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of eight (Si + Al) p.f.u., is (Ca0.95Na0.12K0.14)Σ1.21(Fe2+5.65Fe3+0.93Mn0.25Mg0.18)Σ7.01(Ti1.86Nb0.06Zr0.05Fe3+)Σ2 (Si7091Al0.09)Σ8O34.61H12.34F0.17, Z = 1. The infrared spectrum of the mineral contains the following absorption frequencies: 3588, ∽3398 (broad), ∽3204 (broad), 1628, 1069, 1009, 942, 702, 655 and 560 cm–1. The crystal structure of the mineral was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 21.81%. The main structural unit in the sveinbergeite structure is an HOH layer which is topologically identical to that in the astrophyllite structure. Sveinbergeite differs from all other minerals of the astrophyllite group in the composition and topology of the interstitial A and B sites and linkage of adjacent HOH layers. The mineral is named in honour of Svein Arne Berge (b. 1949), a noted Norwegian amateur mineralogist and collector who was the first to observe and record this mineral from its type locality as a potential new species.


2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atali A. Agakhanov ◽  
Leonid A. Pautov ◽  
Elena Sokolova ◽  
Frank C. Hawthorne ◽  
Vladimir Yu Karpenko ◽  
...  

AbstractOdigitriaite, a new Cs, Na, Ca borosilicate mineral, was discovered in moraine adjacent to the Darai-Pioz alkaline massif in the upper reaches of the Darai-Pioz river at the intersection of the Turkestansky, Zeravshansky and Alaisky mountain ridges, Tajikistan. It occurs as irregular thin flakes associated with quartz, pectolite, baratovite, fluorite, pekovite, polylithionite, aegirine, leucosphenite, pyrochlore, neptunite, reedmergnerite, mendeleevite-(Ce), zeravshanite and sokolovaite. It is colourless with a white streak, is translucent and has a vitreous lustre; it does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. Odigitriaite is brittle with an uneven fracture and a Mohs hardness of 5. The calculated density is 2.80(2) g/cm3. The indices of refraction are α = 1.502, β = 1.564, γ = 1.576; 2Vobs = 46(2)°, dispersion is weak r > v, and there is no pleochroism. The chemical composition is as follows (electron microprobe, H2O calculated from structure): SiO2 55.30, Al2O3 0.09, Y2O3 0.44, MnO 0.94, FeO 0.10, PbO 0.21, K2O 0.01 Cs2O 8.36, B2O3 4.75, H2O 0.37, F 1.74, O = F2 –0.74, total 99.43 wt.%. The empirical formula of odigitriaite is Cs0.90Na5.12Ca4.68Mn0.20Y0.06Fe0.02Pb0.01[Si13.92Al0.03B2.06O38]F1.39(OH)0.62. The end-member formula is CsNa5Ca5[Si14B2O38]F2. The strong reflections in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are: [(d, Å), (I, %), (hkl)]: 5.45 (25) (1 1 3), 4.66 (33) (3 1 1), 4.40 (26) (0 2 2), 4.10 (36) (3 1 3), 3.95 (25) (3̄ 1 3), 2.85 (31) (2 2 2), 2.68 (40) (0 0 6), 3.62 (45) (0 2 4), 3.35 (100) (2̄ 2 4), 3.31 (30) (3̄ 1 5), 3.25 (35) (4 0 4), 3.04 (60) (4̄ 2 2), 2.925 (22) (4̄ 2 3), 1.813 (23) (9 1 0). Odigitriaite is monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 16.652(5), b = 9.598 (3), c = 22.120(7) Å, β= 92.875(14)°, V = 3530.9(1.9) Å3, Z = 4. The crystal structure of odigitriaite was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 value of 2.75% based on single-crystal X-ray data. It is a double-layer sheet-borosilicate mineral; Cs and Na are intercalated within the double-layer sheet, and the double layers are linked by interstitial Ca and Na atoms.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 821-836
Author(s):  
Mark A. Cooper ◽  
Gunnar Raade ◽  
Neil A. Ball ◽  
Yassir A. Abdu ◽  
Frank C. Hawthorne ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTFolvikite, Sb5+Mn3+(Mg,Mn2+)10O8(BO3)4, is a new oxyborate mineral from the Kitteln mine, Värmland, Sweden, where it occurs as a primary skarn mineral embedded in calcite. It forms striated prismatic crystals up to 0.3 mm, and is black to dark reddish-brown with submetallic lustre and a reddish-brown streak. It is brittle, has a Mohs hardness of 6, and the calculated density is 4.14 g/cm3. Folvikite is biaxial with indeterminate optic sign due to pervasive twinning. The optic axial angle is 68.9(4)°. Refractive indices were not measured; the calculated mean refractive index is 1.85. Strong pleochroism was observed in plane-polarized light: AB = brown (intermediate), OB = dark brown (maximum) and ON = honey brown (minimum). Folvikite is monoclinic, space group P2, a = 5.3767(10), b = 6.2108(10), c = 10.9389(18) Å, β = 94.399(9)°, V = 364.22(16) Å3 and Z = 1. Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave Sb2O5 18.15, MgO 24.11, MnO 29.73, Mn2O3 11.62, Al2O3 0.27, Fe2O3 0.45, B2O3 15.27, sum 99.60 wt.%. The B2O3 content was assigned as B = 4 apfu and the Mn2O3 / (MnO + Mn2O3) ratio was determined from the crystal structure. The empirical formula was normalized on the basis of 20 anions pfu: (Sb5+1.02Mn3+1.34Al0.05Fe3+0.05Mg5.46Mn2+3.82□0.26)Σ12O8(BO3)4. A simplified formula may be written as Sb5+Mn3+(Mg,Mn2+)10O8(BO3)4 with Z = 1. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 4.1%. Folvikite is a member of the (3 Å) zigzag wallpaper-borate structures in which chains of edge-sharing octahedra extend along the c axis and are cross-linked by BO3 groups. There are five X sites partly occupied by Mn2+ > Mg, one octahedrally coordinated M-site occupied by Sb5+ > Mg, two M sites occupied by Mg ≥ Mn > Sb5+, two M sites occupied by Mn3+ > Mn2+, two M sites occupied by Mg > Mn2+, and one M-site occupied by Mg > □; plus two [3]-coordinated B sites occupied by B. As with the other zigzag borates, the polyhedra are arranged in F-walls, C-walls and S-columns.


2004 ◽  
Vol 68 (2) ◽  
pp. 231-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. C. Roberts ◽  
P. C. Burns ◽  
R. A. Gault ◽  
A. J. Criddle ◽  
M. N. Feinglos

AbstractPetewilliamsite, ideally (Ni,Co)30(As2O7)15, monoclinic, space group C2, a = 33.256(5), b = 8.482(1), c = 14.191(2) Å, ß = 104.145(3)°, V = 3881.6(11) Å3, a:b:c = 3.9209:1:1.6731, Z = 2, is a new mineral found on a single nickeline-veined quartz specimen from Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany. The mineral possesses a pronounced subcell-supercell: a (subcell) = 1/5 a (supercell); b (subcell) = b (supercell); c (subcell) = 1/3 c (supercell), and the strongest six lines of the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern are [d in Å (I) (hkl)]: 4.235(30)(020) ; 3.118(100)(513, 023); 3.005(60); 2.567(50); 1.637(50)(536 ); 1.507(30b)(553, ). It occurs predominantly as scattered patches of mm-sized aggregates which are intimately associated with varicoloured xanthiosite; additional associations include bunsenite, aerugite, rooseveltite, native bismuth, paganoite and two undefined arsenates. Subhedral equant crystals with rounded faces are intimately intergrown in 1 mm-sized aggregates and individual grains do not exceed 0.5 mm in maximum diameter. The average crystal size is variable from 20 μm to 0.3 mm. The colour varies from dark violet-red to dark brownish-red and the streak is pale reddish-brown to pale purplish-brown. Crystals are translucent, brittle, vitreous, and do not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The mineral shows neither twinning nor cleavage, has an uneven fracture, and the calculated density (for the empirical formula) is 4.904 g/cm3. Electron-microprobe analyses gave NiO 19.45, CoO 18.39, CuO 3.40, CaO 0.17, FeO 0.04, As2O5 60.32, total 101.77 wt.%. The empirical formula, derived from crystal-structure analysis and electron-microprobe analyses, is (Ni14.662+Co13.822+Cu2.412+Ca0.17Fe0.032+)Σ31.09(As1.975+O7)15, based on O = 105 atoms per formula unit (a.p.f.u.). In reflected plane-polarized light in air, petewilliamsite is dark grey with orange to spectral (multicoloured) internal reflections and no obvious bireflectance, anisotropy or pleochroism. Measured reflectance values in air are tabulated; the index of refraction calculated at 589 nm is 1.88. The mineral name honours Professor Peter (‘Pete’) Allan Williams of the University of Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, for his contributions to the study of secondary minerals.The crystal structure of petewilliamsite has been solved by direct methods and refined on the basis of F2 using 9212 unique reflections measured with Mo-Kα X-radiation on a diffractometer equipped with a CCDbased detector. The final R1 was 7.68%, calculated for 1273 observed reflections. The structure contains 15 symmetrically distinct As5+ cations, each of which is tetrahedrally coordinated by four O atoms, and pairs of these AsO4 tetrahedra share a vertex which results in As2O7 pyroarsenate groups that are in layers parallel to (010). The structure also has 16 distinct transition-metal M (M: Ni,Co) sites of which there are one tetrahedral, four square bipyramidal, and 11 octahedral arrangements. Adjacent pyroarsenate groups are linked through bonds to M cations. The structure of petewilliamsite is not closely related to other naturally occurring arsenates and it is the first pyroarsenate mineral.


2013 ◽  
Vol 77 (3) ◽  
pp. 353-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Cooper ◽  
T. A. Husdal ◽  
N. A. Ball ◽  
Y. A. Abdu ◽  
F. C. Hawthorne

AbstractSchlüterite-(Y), ideally (Y,REE)2Al(Si2O7)(OH)2F, is a new silicate mineral species from the Stetind pegmatite, Tysfjord, Nordland, Norway. It forms dense, fibrous, radiating aggregates (up to ∼2 mm) diverging to individual needle-like crystals (up to ∼1 mm long) in cavities. Crystals are acicular to bladed, flattened on {001} and elongated along [010], and the dominant form is {001}. Schlüterite-(Y) is transparent, pale pink with a white streak and a vitreous lustre, and does not fluoresce under short-wave ultraviolet light. Mohs hardness is 5½–6, and schlüterite-(Y) is brittle with an irregular fracture, and has no cleavage. The calculated density is 4.644 g/cm3. The indices of refraction are α = 1.755, β = 1.760, γ = 1.770, all ± 0.005, 2Vobs = 71.8 (5)°, 2Vcalc = 71°, non-pleochroic, optic orientation is X ˆ a = 83.1° (β obtuse), Y//b, Z ˆ c = 50.3° (β acute). Schlüterite-(Y) is monoclinic, space group P21/c, a 7.0722(2), b 5.6198(1), c 21.4390(4) Å, β 122.7756(3)°, V 716.43(5) Å3, Z = 4. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern are as follows: [d (Å), I, (hkl)]: 4.769, 100, (012); 2.972, 55, (14); 3.289, 51, (112); 2.728, 49, (16); 2.810, 37, (020); 3.013, 37, ((16); 4.507, 36, (004). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave SiO2 22.64, Al2O3 9.45, Y2O3 15.35, La2O3 3.25, Ce2O3 9.69, Pr2O3 2.05, Nd2O3 9.50, Sm2O3 3.57, Gd2O3 4.65, Dy2O3 4.21, Er2O3 2.31, Yb2O3 1.86, F 2.71, H2Ocalc 3.78, O = F −1.14, sum 93.88 wt%. The H2O content was determined by crystal-structure analysis. On the basis of 10 anions with (OH) + F = 3 a.p.f.u. (atoms per formula unit), the empirical formula is (Y0.73Ce0.32Nd0.30Gd0.14Dy0.12La0.11Sm0.11Pr0.07Er0.06Yb0.05)Σ=2.01Al0.99Si2.01O7(OH)2.24F0.76. The crystal structure of schlüterite-(Y) was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 1.8% based on 1422 unique observed reflections. In the structure of schlüterite-(Y), Al(OH)4O2 octahedra share (OH)–(OH) edges to form [MΦ4] chains that are decorated by (Si2O7) groups that bridge O vertices of neighbouring octahedra in a staggered fashion on either side of the chain. These [Al(OH)2(Si2O7)] chains extend parallel to b, and are linked into a continuous framework via bonds to interstitial [8](Y,REE) (= <2.400 Å>) and [9](Y,REE) (= <2.548 Å>) atoms.


2012 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
F.C. Hawthorne ◽  
M. A. Cooper ◽  
Y. A. Abdu ◽  
N. A. Ball ◽  
M. E. Back ◽  
...  

AbstractDavidlloydite, ideally Zn3(AsO4)2(H2O)4, is a new supergene mineral from the Tsumeb mine, Otjikoto (Oshikoto) region, Namibia. It occurs as elongated prisms (∼10:1 length-to-width ratio) that are flattened on {010}, and up to 100 × 20 × 10 μm in size. The crystals occur as aggregates (up to 500 μm across) of subparallel to slightly diverging prisms lying partly on and partly embedded in fine-grained calcioandyrobertsite. Crystals are prismatic along [001] and flattened on {010}, and show the forms {010} dominant and {100} subsidiary. Davidlloydite is colourless with a white streak and a vitreous lustre; it does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light. The cleavage is distinct on {010}, and no parting or twinning was observed. The Mohs hardness is 3 – 4. Davidlloydite is brittle with an irregular to hackly fracture. The calculated density is 3.661 g cm–3. Optical properties were measured with a Bloss spindle stage for the wavelength 590 nm using a gel filter. The indices of refraction are α = 1.671, β = 1.687, γ = 1.695, all ±0.002; the calculated birefringence is 0.024; 2Vobs = 65.4(6)°, 2Vcalc = 70°; the dispersion is r < v, weak; pleochroism was not observed. Davidlloydite is triclinic, space group P1, with a = 5.9756(4), b = 7.6002(5), c = 5.4471(4) Å, α = 84.2892(9), β = 90.4920(9), γ = 87.9958(9)°, V = 245.99(5) Å3, Z = 1 and a:b:c = 0.7861:1:0.7167. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [listed as d (Å), I, (hkl)] are as follows: 4.620, 100, (011, 10); 7.526, 71, (010); 2.974, 49, (200, 01); 3.253, 40, (021, 120); 2.701, 39, (10, 002, 1); 5.409, 37, (001); 2.810, 37, (210). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave As2O5 43.03, ZnO 37.95, CuO 5.65, H2O(calc) 13.27, sum 99.90 wt.%. The H2O content and the valence state of As were determined by crystal structure analysis. On the basis of 12 anions with H2O = 4 a.p.f.u., the empirical formula is (Zn2.53Cu0.39)Σ2.92As2.03O8(H2O)4.The crystal structure of davidlloydite was solved by direct methods and refined to an R1 index of 1.51% based on 1422 unique observed reflections collected on a three-circle rotating-anode (MoKα radiation) diffractometer equipped with multilayer optics and an APEX-II detector. In the structure of davidlloydite, sheets of corner-sharing (As5+O4) and (ZnO4) tetrahedra are linked by ZnO2(H2O)4 octahedra. The structure is related to that of parahopeite.


2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 235-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Cooper ◽  
F. C. Hawthorne ◽  
E. Moffatt

AbstractSteverustite, ideally Pb52+(OH)5[Cu+(S6+O3S2–)3](H2O)2, is a new supergene mineral from the Frongoch mine dump, Devils Bridge, Ceredigion, Wales. It generally forms fibrous fan-like bundles that occur in small cavities in quartz veins with other supergene species. Crystals are fibrous to acicular, elongated along [010], and are bounded by (h0l) faces too small to index reliably. It is transparent, colourless to white with a white streak, has a vitreous lustre, does not fluoresce under ultraviolet light and is brittle with a splintery fracture. The calculated density is 5.150 g/cm3, and the calculated mean refractive index is 1.94. The mineral is monoclinic, P21/n, a 12.5631(7), b 8.8963(5), c 18.0132(11) Å, β 96.459(1)º, V 2000.5(3) Å3, Z = 4, a:b:c = 1.41217:1:2.02480. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are as follows: d (Å), I, (h k l): 3.934, 10, (Ī14); 3.934, 8, (Ī11); 3.348, 7, (313); 6.211, 6, (200); 4.797, 6, (211); 3.026, 6, (314); 2.837, 5, (016). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe gave PbO 72.59, SO3 15.78, Cu2O 4.47, S2– 6.32, H2O 4.83, O=S2– –3.15, total 100.84 wt.% where the amount of H2O was determined by crystal-structure analysis. The resulting empirical formula is Pb4.992+Cu0.96+(S6+O3S2–)3.03(OH)4.88(H2O)1.67, based on O + OH + H2O + S2– = 18.67 a.p.f.u. (atoms per formula unit) with H2O = 1.67 a.p.f.u. (from crystal-structure solution and refinement).The crystal structure of steverustite was solved by direct methods and refined to R1 = 2.7% for 3366 unique (Fo > 4σF) reflections. There are five distinct Pb2+ cations with coordination numbers from [8] to [11], all of which show stereoactive lone-pair behaviour and which form a strongly bonded cluster of composition [Pb5(OH)5]. There is one Cu+ cation triangularly coordinated by three S2– atoms that belong to three thiosulphate groups, forming a Cu+(S6+O3S2–)3 group. The [Pb5(OH)5] units and [Cu(S2O3)3] groups occur at the vertices of interpenetrating 36 nets to form layers of composition [Pb5(OH)5Cu(S2O3)3] parallel to (010) which are linked by weaker bonds. Examination of the stereochemistry of thiosulphate and thionate structures shows that the combination of <S–O> and S–S distances are distinct for these two types of structures.


2002 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 301-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. C. Hawthorne ◽  
M. A. Cooper ◽  
J. D. Grice ◽  
A. C. Roberts ◽  
N. Hubbard

AbstractBobkingite, ideally is a new mineral from the New Cliffe Hill Quarry, Stantonunder-Bardon, Leicestershire, England. It occurs as very thin (⩽5 µm) transparent plates up to 0.2 mm across, perched on a compact fibrous crust of malachite and crystalline azurite attached to massive cuprite. Crystals are tabular on {001} with dominant {001} and minor {100} and {110}. Bobkingite is a soft pale blue colour with a pale-blue streak, vitreous lustre and no observable fluorescence under ultraviolet light. It has perfect {001} and fair {100} cleavages, no observable parting, conchoidal fracture, and is brittle. Its Mohs' hardness is 3 and the calculated density is 3.254 g/cm3. Bobkingite is biaxial negative with α = 1.724(2), β = 1.745(2), γ = 1.750(2), 2Vγmeas = 33(6)°, 2Vcalc = 52°, pleochroism distinct, X = very pale blue, Z = pale greenish blue, X^a = 22° (in β obtuse), Y = c, Z = b. Bobkingite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, unit-cell parameters (refined from powder data): a = 10.301(8), b = 6.758(3), c = 8.835(7)Å, β = 111.53(6)°, V = 572.1(7)Å3, Z = 2. The seven strongest lines in the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern are [d (Å), I, (hkl)]: 8.199, 100, (001); 5.502, 100, (110); 5.029, 40, (2̄01); 2.883, 80, (310); 2.693, 40, (1̄13); 2.263, 40, (113), (4̄03); 2.188, 50, (2̄23). Chemical analysis by electron microprobe and crystal-structure solution and refinement gave CuO 70.46, Cl 12.71, H2O 19.19, O≡Cl –2.87, sum 99.49 wt.%, where the amount of H2O was determined by crystal-structure analysis. The resulting empirical formula on the basis of 12 anions (including 8 (OH) and 2H2O) is Cu4.99Cl2.02O10H12. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R index of 2.6% for 638 observed reflections measured with X-rays on a single crystal. Three distinct (Cuϕ6) (ϕ = unspecified anion) octahedra share edges to form a framework that is related to the structures of paratacamite and the Cu2(OH)3Cl polymorphs, atacamite and clinoatacamite. The mineral is named for Robert King, formerly of the Department of Geology, Leicester University, prominent mineral collector and founding member of the Russell Society. The mineral and its name have been approved by the Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names of the International Mineralogical Association.


2018 ◽  
Vol 83 (03) ◽  
pp. 427-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Elliott

AbstractMiddlebackite 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 isX= colourless,Y= very pale blue andZ= dark sky blue;Z&gt;Y&gt;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 groupP21/c witha= 7.2597(15),b= 5.7145(11),c= 5.6624(11) Å, β = 104.20(3)°,V= 227.73(8) Å3andZ= 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 toR1= 0.0341 for 596 observed reflections withF0&gt; 4σ(F0). The structure is based on sheets of edge- and corner-sharing octahedra parallel to thebcplane. Sheets link in theadirection via oxalate anions.


2009 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 817-824 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Oberti ◽  
F. Cámaraite ◽  
F. C. Hawthorne ◽  
N. A. Ball

AbstractFluoro-aluminoleakeite, ideally , is a new mineral of the amphibole group from Norra Kärr, Sweden (IMA-CNMMNC 2009-012). It occurs in a proterozoic alkaline intrusion that mainly comprises a fine-grained schistose agpaitic nepheline-syenite (grennaite). Fluoro- aluminoleakeite occurs as isolated prismatic crystals 0.10–2 mm long in a syenitic matrix. Crystals are light greenish-blue with a greenish-blue streak. It 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 3.14 g cm–3. In plane-polarized light, it is pleochroic, X = pale green, Y = dark green, Z = pale green; X ^ a = 62.9° (in β obtuse), Y || b. Fluoro-aluminoleakeite is biaxial negative, α = 1.632(1), β = 1.638(1), γ = 1.643(1); 2Vobs. = 98.0(4)°, 2Vcalc. = 95.5°.MFluoro-aluminoleakeite is monoclinic, space group C2/m, a = 9.7043(5) Å, b = 17.7341(8) Å, c = 5.2833(3) Å, β = 104.067(4)°, V = 882.0(2) Å3, Z = 2. The eight strongest X-ray diffraction lines in the powder-diffraction pattern are [d in Å, (I), (hkl)]: 2.687, (100), (31, 151); 4.435, (80), (021, 040); 3.377, (80), (131); 2.527, (60), (02); 8.342, (50), (110); 3.096, (40), (310); 2.259, (40), (71, 12) and 2.557, (30), (002, 061). Analysis, by a combination of electron microprobe and crystal-structure refinement, gives SiO2 58.61, Al2O3 7.06, TiO2 0.32, FeO 3.27, Fe2O3 6.05, MgO 8.61, MnO 0.73, ZnO 0.43, CaO 0.05, Na2O 9.90, K2O 2.43, Li2O 1.62, F 3.37, H2Ocalc. 0.50, sum 101.08 wt.%. The formula unit, calculated on the basis of 24 (O,OH,F,Cl) p.f.u. with (OH) + F = 2 a.p.f.u., is A(Na0.65 O22W(F1.47OH0.53)Σ=2.00. Crystal-structure analysis shows CLi to be completely ordered at the M(3) site, and provided reliable site populations. Fluoro-aluminoleakeite is related to the end-member leakeite, , by the substitutions CFe3+ → CAl and WF → W(OH).


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