Taniajacoite and Strontioruizite, Two New Minerals Isostructural with Ruizite from the N'Chwaning III Mine, Kalahari Manganese Field, South Africa

Author(s):  
Hexiong Yang ◽  
Xiangping Gu ◽  
Bruce Cairncross ◽  
Robert T. Downs ◽  
Stanley H. Evans

ABSTRACT Two new mineral species, taniajacoite and strontioruizite, ideally SrCaMn3+2Si4O11(OH)4·2H2O and Sr2Mn3+2Si4O11(OH)4·2H2O, respectively, have been identified from the N'Chwaning III mine, Kalahari manganese field, South Africa. Both minerals occur as brown radiating groups or aggregates of acicular or prismatic crystals, with individual crystals up to 0.15 × 0.04 × 0.02 mm for taniajacoite and 1.3 × 0.2 × 0.2 mm for strontioruizite. Minerals associated with taniajacoite include sugilite, aegirine, pectolite, richterite, potassic-ferri-leakeite, and lipuite, whereas those associated with strontioruizite include sugilite, potassic-magnesio-arfvedsonite, and lipuite. Both taniajacoite and strontioruizite are brown in transmitted light, transparent with very light brown streak and vitreous luster. They are brittle and have a Mohs hardness of 5–5.5; cleavage is good on {010} and no parting or twinning is observed macroscopically. The measured and calculated densities are 3.05(2) and 3.09 g/cm3, respectively, for taniajacoite and 3.20(2) and 3.16 g/cm3 for strontioruizite. Optically, both taniajacoite and strontioruizite are biaxial (–), with α = 1.686(2), β = 1.729(2), γ = 1.746(2) (white light), 2V (meas.) = 63.7(5)°, 2V (calc.) = 62.5° for the former and α = 1.692(2), β = 1.734(2), γ = 1.747(2) (white light), 2V (meas.) = 59.1(5)°, 2V (calc.) = 56.6° for the latter. The calculated compatibility index based on the empirical formula is 0.008 for taniajacoite and 0.015 for strontioruizite. An electron microprobe analysis yielded an empirical formula (based on 17 O apfu) of Sr(Ca0.81Sr0.19)Σ1.00(Mn3+1.90Fe3+0.15Al0.01)Σ2.06Si3.96O11(OH)4·2H2O for taniajacoite and (Sr1.61Ca0.42)Σ2.03(Mn3+1.95Fe3+0.05)Σ2.00Si3.98O11(OH)4·2H2O for strontioruizite. Taniajacoite and strontioruizite are isostructural with ruizite. Strontioruizite, like ruizite, is monoclinic with space group C2 and unit-cell parameters a = 9.1575(4), b = 6.2857(4), c = 12.0431(6) Å, β = 91.744(4)°, and V = 692.90(6) Å3, whereas taniajacoite is triclinic, with space group C1 and a = 9.1386(5), b = 6.2566(3), c = 12.0043(6) Å, α = 90.019(4), β = 91.643(4), γ = 89.900(4)°, and V = 686.08(6) Å3. Their structures are characterized by chains of edge-sharing MnO6 octahedra extended along [010], which are linked together by corner-shared SiO4 tetrahedra in four-membered [Si4O11(OH)2] linear clusters, giving rise to a so-called “hetero-polyhedral framework”. The large cations Sr2+ and Ca2+ occupy the seven-coordinated interstices. Unlike monoclinic ruizite and strontioruizite, taniajacoite with Sr:Ca ≈ 1:1 is triclinic, owing to the ordering of Sr2+ and Ca2+ into two crystallographically distinct sites, indicating an incomplete solid solution between Ca and Sr endmembers. The unit-cell volumes for ruizite, taniajacoite, and strontioruizite appear to vary linearly with the Sr/(Ca + Sr) ratio.

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 457-466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hexiong Yang ◽  
Xiangping Gu ◽  
Robert T. Downs ◽  
Stanley H. Evans ◽  
Jaco J. Van Nieuwenhuizen ◽  
...  

Abstract A new mineral species, meieranite, ideally Na2Sr3MgSi6O17, has been found in the Wessels mine, Kalahari Manganese Fields, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. It occurs in isolated aggregates embedded in a matrix mainly of sugilite, along with minor aegirine and pectolite. Crystals of meieranite are up to 0.5 × 0.5 × 0.4 mm in size. No twinning is observed. The mineral is light blue to blue in transmitted and under incident lights, transparent with white streak, and has vitreous luster. It is brittle and has a Mohs hardness of 5.5; cleavage is good on {010} and no parting was observed. The measured and calculated densities are 3.41(3) and 3.410 g/cm3, respectively. Optically, meieranite is biaxial (–), with α = 1.610(1), β = 1.623(1), γ = 1.630(1) (white light), 2V (meas.) = 70(1)°, 2V (calc.) = 72°. The calculated compatibility index based on the empirical formula is –0.007 (superior). An electron microprobe analysis yields an empirical formula (based on 17 O apfu) of Na1.96(Sr2.91Ba0.03Ca0.03Pb0.02)Σ2.99(Mg0.62Mn0.28Co0.07Fe0.01)Σ0.98Si6.03O17, which can be simplified to Na2Sr3MgSi6O17. Meieranite is orthorhombic, with space group P21nb and unit-cell parameters a 7.9380(2), b 10.4923(3), c 18.2560(6) Å, and V 1520.50(8) Å3. Its crystal structure is characterized by two kinds of layers that alternate along [010]: layers of corner-sharing SiO4 and M2+O4 tetrahedra (M2+ = Mg, Mn, Co, Fe) and layers of NaO6 and SrO8 polyhedra. The tetrahedral layers consist of eight-, five-, and four-membered rings and are composed of [Si6O17] ribbons (parallel to [101]) linked together by MO4 tetrahedra. Most remarkably, the structure of meieranite is topologically identical to that of the nordite group of minerals, which has the general chemical formula Na3SrR3+M2+Si6O17, where R = Ce and La and M = Zn, Fe, and Mn. Accordingly, chemically, meieranite may be obtained through the coupled substitution of 2Sr2+ for (Na+ + R3+) in nordite.


2021 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 763-769
Author(s):  
Hexiong Yang ◽  
Ronald B. Gibbs ◽  
Cody Schwenk ◽  
Xiande Xie ◽  
Xiangping Gu ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT A new mineral species, liudongshengite, ideally Zn4Cr2(OH)12(CO3)·3H2O, has been found in the 79 mine, Gila County, Arizona, USA. It occurs as micaceous aggregates or hexagonal platy crystals (up to 0.10 × 0.10 × 0.01 mm). The mineral is pinkish and transparent with white streak and vitreous luster. It is brittle and has a Mohs hardness of ∼1.5, with perfect cleavage on (001). No twinning or parting is observed macroscopically. The measured and calculated densities are 2.95 (3) and 3.00 g/cm3, respectively. Optically, liudongshengite is uniaxial (−), with ω = 1.720 (8), ε = 1.660 (7) (white light). An electron microprobe analysis, combined with the carbon content measured using an elemental combustion system equipped with mass spectrometry, yielded the empirical formula (Zn3.25Mg0.17Cr2.58)Σ6.00(OH)12(CO3)1.29·3H2O, based on (M2+ + M3+) = 6 apfu, where M2+ and M3+ are divalent and trivalent cations, respectively. Liudongshengite belongs to the quintinite group within the hydrotalcite supergroup and is the Cr-analogue of zaccagnaite-3R, Zn4Al2(OH)12(CO3)·3H2O. It is trigonal, with space group Rm and unit-cell parameters a = 3.1111(4), c = 22.682(3) Å, and V = 190.12(4) Å3. The crystal structure of liudongshengite is composed of positively charged brucite-like layers, [M2+1–xM3+x(OH)2]x+, alternating with negatively charged layers of (CO3)2–·3H2O. Compared to other minerals in the quintinite group, liudongshengite is remarkably enriched in M3+, with an M2+:M3+ ratio of 1.33:1. Like zaccagnaite-3R and many other hydrotalcite-type minerals, liudongshengite may also possess polytypes, as a series of synthetic hydrotalcite-type compounds with a general chemical formula [Zn4Cr2(OH)12]X2·4H2O, where X = Cl–, NO3–, or ½ SO42–, but with unit-cell parameters different from those for liudongshengite, have been reported previously.


2013 ◽  
Vol 77 (7) ◽  
pp. 3039-3046 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Topa ◽  
E. Makovicky ◽  
H. Tajedin ◽  
H. Putz ◽  
G. Zagler

AbstractBarikaite, ideally Pb10Ag3(Sb8As11)Σ19S40, is a new mineral species from the Barika Au-Ag deposit, Azarbaijan Province, western Iran. It was formed in fractures developed in silica bands situated in massive banded pyrite and baryte ores. These fractures house veinlets that contain a number of Ag-As-Sb-Pb-rich sulfosalts, tetrahedrite-tennantite, realgar, pyrite and electrum. Barikaite appears as inclusions in guettardite. The mineral is opaque, greyish black with a metallic lustre; it is brittle without any discernible cleavage. In reflected light barikaite is greyish white, pleochroism is distinct, white to dark grey. Internal reflections are absent. In crossed polars, anisotropism is distinct with rotation tints in shades of grey. The reflectance data (%, in air) are: 37.0, 39.3 at 470 nm, 34.1, 36.9 at 546 nm, 33.1, 36.2 at 589 nm and 31.3, 34.1 at 650 nm. The Mohs hardness is 3–3½, microhardness VHN50 exhibits the range 192 – 212, with a mean value of 200 kg mm–2. The average results of five electron-microprobe analyses in a grain are (in wt.%): Pb 35.77(33), Ag 5.8(1), Tl 0.15(08), Sb 18.33(09), As 15.64(16), S 24.00(15), total 99.69(10) wt.%, corresponding to Pb9.31Ag2.90Tl0.04(Sb8.12As11.26)Σ19.36S40.37 (on the basis of 32Me + 40S = 72 a.p.f.u.). The simplified formula, Pb10Ag3(Sb8As11)Σ19S40, is in accordance with the results of a crystal-structure analysis, and requires Pb 37.89, Ag 5.91, Sb 17.79, As 15.05 and S 23.42 (wt.%). The variation of chemical composition is minor, the empirical formula ranging from Pb10.39Ag2.32Tl0.02Sb7.52As11.27S40.49 to Pb9.24Ag2.93Tl0.04Sb8.13As11.35S40.31. Barikaite has monoclinic symmetry, space group P21/n and unit-cell parameters a 8.5325(7) Å, b 8.0749(7) Å, c 24.828(2) Å, and b 99.077(6)o, Z = 1. Calculated density for the empirical formula is 5.34 (g cm–3). The strongest eight lines in the (calculated) powder-diffraction pattern [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 3.835(63)(022), 3.646(100)(016), 3.441(60)(212), 3.408(62)(14), 2.972(66)(16), 2.769(91)(222), 2.752(78)(24) and 2.133(54)(402). Barikaite is the N = 4 member of the sartorite homologous series with a near-equal role of As and Sb, which have an ordered distribution pattern in the structure. It is a close homeotype of rathite and more distantly related to dufrénoysite (both distinct, pure arsenian N = 4 members) and it completes the spectrum of Sb-rich members of the sartorite homologous series. The new mineral and its name have been approved by the IMA-CNMNC (IMA 2012-055).


Author(s):  
Hexiong Yang ◽  
Tommy Yong ◽  
Robert T. Downs

ABSTRACT A new mineral species, ferrobobfergusonite, ideally □Na2Fe2+5Fe3+Al(PO4)6, has been found in the Victory Mine, Custer County, South Dakota, USA. It is massive and associated with ferrowyllieite, schorl, fillowite, arrojadite, quartz, and muscovite. Broken pieces of ferrobobfergusonite are blocky or tabular with single crystals up to 0.9 × 0.7 × 0.4 mm. No twinning or parting is observed macroscopically. The mineral is deep green-brown and transparent with a pale green-yellow streak and vitreous luster. It is brittle and has a Mohs hardness of ∼5, with perfect cleavage on {010}. The measured and calculated densities are 3.68(1) and 3.69 g/cm3, respectively. Optically, ferrobobfergusonite is biaxial (+), with α = 1.698 (2), β = 1.705 (2), γ = 1.727 (2) (white light), 2V (meas.) = 65(2)°, 2V (calc.) = 60°, with orientation of the optic axes α ∧ X = 16°, β = Y, with X = yellowish brown, Y = brown, and Z = deep brown. The dispersion is very strong with r > v. The calculated compatibility index based on the empirical formula is 0.017 (superior). An electron microprobe analysis yielded an empirical formula (based on 24 O apfu) of (Na1.72□1.28)Σ3.00(Fe2+3.50Mn0.89Mg0.44Ca0.13)Σ4.96(Fe3+0.77Al0.23)Σ1.00Al(PO4)6. Ferrobobfergusonite is isostructural with bobfergusonite, a member of the alluaudite supergroup. It is monoclinic, with space group P21/n and unit-cell parameters a = 12.7156(3), b = 12.3808(3), c = 10.9347(3) Å, β = 97.3320(10)°, and V = 1707.37(7) Å3. The crystal structure of ferrobobfergusonite contains six octahedral M (= Fe2+, Mg, Mn2+, Al, Fe3+) sites and five X (= Na, Mn2+, Ca) sites with coordination numbers between 6 and 8. The six MO6 octahedra share edges to form two types of kinked chains extending along [101], with one consisting of M1–M4–M5 linkages and the other of M2–M3–M6 linkages. These chains are joined by PO4 tetrahedra to form sheets parallel to (010), which are linked together through corner-sharing between PO4 tetrahedra and MO6 octahedra in the adjacent sheets, leaving open channels parallel to a, where the large X cations are situated. The M cations are strongly ordered over the six sites, with M1, M2, M3, and M4 being dominantly occupied by Fe2+, and M5 and M6 by Fe3+ and Al, respectively. Among the five X sites, the X1 site is filled with Mn2+ and Ca, whereas the X2–X5 sites are partially occupied by Na.


2017 ◽  
Vol 81 (2) ◽  
pp. 383-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. N. Sapozhnikov ◽  
E. V. Kaneva ◽  
L. F. Suvorova ◽  
V. I. Levitsky ◽  
L. A. Ivanova

AbstractSulfhydrylbystrite, Na5K2Ca(Al6Si6O24)(S5)(SH), cell parameters a = 12.9567(6) Å, c = 10.7711(5) Å, space group P31c, is a new mineral belonging to the cancrinite group. It was found at Malaya Bystraya lazurite deposit, Lake Baikal area, Eastern Siberian Region, Russia, associated with lazurite, calcite, diopside, phlogopite and pyrite. The mineral develops at the margins of masses of lazurite, replacing it in some areas with the formation of nonequilibrium lazurite-diopside-sulfhydrylbystrite association. It is translucent, yellow to orange, with vitreous lustre, yellow streak and Mohs hardness of 4.5–5. The empirical formula, based on 12 (Si + Al), is Na5.17K1.87Ca0.99[Al6.01Si5.99O24](S5)0.862–(SH0.86)Cl0.07, Z = 2. The crystal structure of sulfhydrylbystrite may be described as an ABAC stacking of six-membered rings of SiO4 and AlO4 tetrahedra and extra-framework cations and anions located within structural cages. There are two type of cages, cancrinite and losod, stacked into chains at (0, 0, z) and (⅔, ⅓, z), respectively. The cancrinite cage hosts Ca2+ and (SH)– ions, whereas the (S5)2– polyanion is in the losod cage associated with Na+ and K+ cations. In addition, (SH)– and (S5)2– anions are detected in the structure of a mineral for the first time.For comparison, a structural and compositional study of a bystrite sample from the same deposit was carried out. Bystrite is confirmed to contain pentasulfide anions in the losod cages, similar to those of sulfhydrylbystrite, in contrast to previous studies. However, bystrite has chloride in cancrinite cages, whereas sulfhydrylbystrite has hydrosulfide in that position. The unit-cell parameters are distinctly different: bystrite has a = 12.8527(6) Å, c = 10.6907(5) Å in the same P31c space group.


Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 93
Author(s):  
Kai Qu ◽  
Xianzhang Sima ◽  
Guowu Li ◽  
Guang Fan ◽  
Ganfu Shen ◽  
...  

A new mineral species of the mica group, fluorluanshiweiite, ideally KLiAl1.5□0.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10F2, has been found in the Nanyangshan LCT (Li, Cs, Ta) pegmatite deposit in North Qinling Orogen (NQO), central China. Fluorluanshiweiite can be regarded as the F-dominant analogue at the A site of luanshiweiite or the K-dominant analogue at the I site of voloshinite. It appears mostly in cookeite as a flaky residue, replaced by Cs-rich mica, or in the form of scale aggregates. Most individual grains are <1 mm in size, with the largest being ca. 1 cm, and the periphery is replaced by cookeite. No twinning is observed. The mineral is silvery white as a hand specimen, and in a thin section, it appears grayish-white to colorless, transparent with white streaks, with vitreous luster and pearliness on cleavage faces. It is flexible with micaceous fracture; the Mohs hardness is approximately 3; the cleavage is perfect on {001}; and no parting is observed. The measured and calculated densities are 2.94(3) and 2.898 g/cm3, respectively. Optically, fluorluanshiweiite is biaxial (–), with α = 1.554(1), β = 1.581(1), γ = 1.583(1) (white light), 2V(meas.) = 25° to 35°, 2V(calc.) = 30.05°. The calculated compatibility index based on the empirical formula is −0.014 (superior). An electron microprobe analysis yields the empirical formula calculated based on 10 O atoms and 2 additional anions of (K0.85Rb0.12Cs0.02Na0.03)Σ1.02[Li1.05Al1.44(□0.47Fe0.01Mn0.02)Σ0.5] Σ2.99(Si3.55Al0.45) Σ4O10F2, which can be simplified to KLiAl1.5□0.5(Si3.5Al0.5)O10F2. Fluorluanshiweiite is monoclinic with the space group C2/m and unit cell parameters a = 5.2030(5), b = 8.9894(6), c = 10.1253(9) Å, β = 100.68(1)°, and V = 465.37(7) Å3. The strongest eight lines in the X-ray diffraction data are [d in Å(I)(hkl)]: 8.427(25) (001), 4.519(57) (020), 4.121(25) (021), 3.628(61) (112), 3.350(60) (022), 3.091(46) (112), 2.586(100) (130), and 1.506(45) (312).


2005 ◽  
Vol 69 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. J. Stanley ◽  
A. J. Criddle ◽  
J. Spratt ◽  
A. C. Roberts ◽  
J. T. Szymański ◽  
...  

AbstractKingstonite, ideally Rh3S4, is a new mineral from the Bir Bir river, Yubdo District, Wallaga Province, Ethiopia. It occurs as subhedral, tabular elongate to anhedral inclusions in a Pt-Fe nugget with the associated minerals isoferroplatinum, tetraferroplatinum, a Cu-bearing Pt-Fe alloy, osmium, enriched oxide remnants of osmium, laurite, bowieite, ferrorhodsite and cuprorhodsite. It is opaque with a metallic lustre, has a black streak, is brittle and has a subconchoidal fracture and a good cleavage parallel to [001]. VHN25 is 871–920 kg/mm2. In plane-polarized reflected light, kingstonite is a pale slightly brownish grey colour. It is weakly pleochroic and displays a weak bireflectance. It does not possess internal reflections. The anisotropy is weak to moderate in dull greys and browns. Reflectance data and colour values are tabulated. Average results of twenty electron microprobe analyses on four grains give Rh 46.5, Ir 16.4, Pt 11.2, S 25.6, total 99.7 wt.%. The empirical formula is (Rh2.27Ir0.43Pt0.29)Σ2.99S4.01, based on 7 atoms per formula unit (a.p.f.u.). Kingstonite is monoclinic (C2/m) with a = 10.4616(5), b = 10.7527(5), c = 6.2648(3) Å, β = 109.000(5)°, V = 666.34(1) Å3 (Z = 6). The calculated density is 7.52 g/cm3 (on the basis of the empirical formula and unit-cell parameters refined from powder data). The seven strongest X-ray powder-diffraction lines [d in Å(I) (hkl)] are: 3.156 (100) (310), 3.081 (100) (1̄31), 2.957 (90) (002), 2.234 (60) (202), 1.941 (50) (2̄23), 1.871 (80) (4̄41) and 1.791 (90) (060, 1̄33). The structure of kingstonite was solved and refined to Rp = 3.8%. There are four distinct metal sites with Rh occupancies of 0.64–0.89. Two metal sites are regular RhS6 octahedra that share edges to form a ribbon running parallel to c. The other two metal sites are coordinated by 4 S + 2 Rh and 5 S + 2 Rh and define a puckered Rh6 ring. The ribbons of regular RhS6 octahedra alternate with the columns of Rh6 rings linked by S atoms. S–S bridges also connect the ribbons and columns. As such, the kingstonite structure is essentially that of synthetic Rh3S4. Minor differences in the unit-cell parameters, atom coordinates and displacement parameters of kingstonite and synthetic Rh3S4 arise from the considerable substitution of Ir for Rh. The mineral name honours Gordon Kingston (formerly of Cardiff University) in recognition of his contributions to platinum group element mineralogy and the geology of their mineral deposits.


2018 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz A. D. Menezes Filho ◽  
Mario L. S. C. Chaves ◽  
Nikita V. Chukanov ◽  
Daniel Atencio ◽  
Ricardo Scholz ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTParisite-(La) (IMA2016-031), ideally CaLa2(CO3)3F2, occurs in a hydrothermal vein crosscutting a metarhyolite of the Rio dos Remédios Group, at the Mula mine, Tapera village, Novo Horizonte county, Bahia, Brazil, associated with hematite, rutile, almeidaite, fluocerite-(Ce), brockite, monazite-(La), rhabdophane-(La) and bastnäsite-(La). Parisite-(La) occurs as residual nuclei (up to 5 mm) in steep doubly-terminated pseudo-hexagonal pyramidal crystals (up to 8.2 cm). Parisite-(La) is transparent, yellow-green to white, with a white streak and displays a vitreous (when yellow-green) to dull (when white) lustre. Cleavage is distinct on pseudo-{001}; fracture is laminated, conchoidal, or uneven. The Mohs hardness is 4 to 5, and it is brittle. Calculated density is 4.273 g cm−3. Parisite-(La) is pseudo-uniaxial (+), ω = 1.670(2) and ε = 1.782(5) (589 nm). The empirical formula normalized on the basis of 11 (O + F) atoms per formula unit (apfu) is Ca0.98(La0.83Nd0.51Ce0.37Pr0.16Sm0.04Y0.03)Σ1.94C3.03O8.91F2.09. The IR spectrum confirms the absence of OH groups. Single-crystal X-ray studies gave the following results: monoclinic (pseudo-trigonal), space group: C2, Cm, or C2/m, a = 12.356(1) Å, b = 7.1368(7) Å, c = 28.299(3) Å, β = 98.342(4)°, V = 2469.1(4) Å3 and Z = 12. Parisite-(La) is the La-dominant analogue of parisite-(Ce).


2014 ◽  
Vol 70 (a1) ◽  
pp. C1095-C1095
Author(s):  
Marcelo Andrade ◽  
Javier Ellena ◽  
Daniel Atencio

Fluorcalciomicrolite, Ca1.5Ta2O6F, and hydroxycalciomicrolite, Ca1.5Ta2O6(OH), are new microlite-group [1] minerals found in the Volta Grande pegmatite, Nazareno, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Both occur as octahedral and rhombododecahedral crystals. The crystals are colourless, yellow and translucent, with vitreous to resinous luster. The densities calculated for fluorcalciomicrolite [2] and hydroxycalciomicrolite are 6.160 and 6.176 g/cm3, respectively. The empirical formulae obtained from electron microprobe analysis are (Ca1.07Na0.81□0.12)Σ2(Ta1.84Nb0.14Sn0.02)Σ2[O5.93(OH)0.07]Σ6.00[F0.79(OH)0.21] for fluorcalciomicrolite and (Ca1.48Na0.06Mn0.01)Σ1.55(Ta1.88Nb0.11Sn0.01)Σ2O6[(OH)0.76F0.20O0.04] for hydroxycalmicrolite. Fluorcalciomicrolite is cubic, space group Fd-3m, a = 10.4191(6) Å, V = 1131.07(11) Å3, and Z = 8. Hydroxycalciomicrolite is also cubic; however, the presence of P-lattice is confirmed by the large number of weak reflections observed by X-ray diffraction. As a result, the space group is P4332 and unit-cell parameters are a = 10.4211(8) Å, and V = 1131.72(15) Å3.


2013 ◽  
Vol 77 (8) ◽  
pp. 3055-3066 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Plášil ◽  
J. Hloušek ◽  
R. Škoda ◽  
M. Novák ◽  
J. Sejkora ◽  
...  

AbstractVysokýite, U4+[(AsO2(OH)2]4(H2O)4 (IMA 2012–067), was found growing on an altered surface of massive native As in the Geschieber vein, Jáchymov ore district, Western Bohemia, Czech Republic. The new mineral was found in association with běhounekite, štěpite, kaatialaite, arsenolite, claudetite and gypsum. It forms extremely fibrous light-green crystals up to 8 mm long. Crystals have an alabaster lustre and a greenish-white to greyish streak. Vysokýite is brittle with uneven fracture and perfect cleavage along (100) and (001); the Mohs hardness is ∼2. A density of 3.393 g/cm3 was calculated using the empirical formula and unit-cell parameters obtained from a single-crystal diffraction experiment. Vysokýite is non-fluorescent under short or long wavelength UV radiation. It is colourless under the microscope, measured refractive indices are α' = 1.617(3), γ' = 1.654(3); the estimated optical orientation is α' ∼X, γ' ∼Z. The average of five spot wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) analyses is 29.44 UO2, 1.03 SiO2, 48.95 As2O5, 0.12 SO3, 15.88 H2O (calc.), total 95.42 wt.%. The empirical formula of vysokýite (based on 20 O a.p.f.u.) is U1.00[AsO2(OH)2]3.90(SiO4)0.16 (SO4)0.01·4H2O. The As–O–H and O–H vibrations dominate in the Raman spectrum. Vysokýite is triclinic, space group P, with a = 10.749(2), b = 5.044(3), c = 19.1778(7) Å, α = 89.872(15)°, β = 121.534(15)°, γ = 76.508(15)°, and V = 852.1(6) Å3, Z = 2 and Dcalc = 3.34 g·cm–3. The strongest diffraction peaks in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å (Irel.)(hkl)]: 8.872(100)(100), 8.067(50)(002), 6.399(7)(10), 4.773(6)(10), 3.411(10)(30), 3.197(18)(31). The crystal structure of vysokýite was solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data by the charge-flipping method and refined to R1 = 0.0595 based on 2718 unique observed reflection, and to wR2 = 0.1160 for all 4173 unique reflections. The structure of vysokýite consists of UO8 square antiprisms sharing all of their vertices with 8 As-tetrahedra to form infinite chains parallel to [010]. These chains are linked by hydrogen bonds involving terminal (OH) groups of the double-protonated As-tetrahedra and molecules of H2O located between the chains. The new mineral is named in honour of Arnošt Vysoký (1823–1872), the former chief of the Jáchymov mines and smelters, chemist and metallurgist.


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