Sherwoodite, putatively Ca4.5(AlV5+12V4+2O40)·28H2O, was among the early naturally occurring polyoxometalates to be reported from the Uravan Mineral Belt; the ideal formula of sherwoodite is here redefined as Ca5.5[AlV4+V5+12O39]·28H2O. In an earlier preliminary structure report (R = 22%), researchers defined the composition of vanadoaluminate heteropoly complex in sherwoodite as (AlV4+,5+14O40)n−, the first natural occurrence of that polyoxometalate cluster. The cluster forms a framework around intermolecular channels that contain disordered arrays of H2O and charge-balancing Ca ions. A detailed structure study described herein [a = 27.9085(7), c = 13.8090(5), space group I41/amd, R1 < 6%] reveals new details of the vanadoaluminate heteropoly complex, indicating that it crystallizes as a structural variant of the putative (AlV4+,5+14O40)n− vanadoaluminate complex, [AlV4+V5+12O39]11−. That variant is derived through the random removal of one of the two apical vanadate octahedra, elucidating the cause of difficulties in the refinement of the preliminary structure report. The [AlV4+V5+12O39]11− complex is capped on one end by a Ca atom that bonds to four octahedral apices in a half-occupied site, and on the opposite end by the V1 and O1 atoms in half-occupied sites, similar to the compound potassium 13-vanadanomangate(IV). The capping octahedron is the locus of the V4+ ions in the mixed-valence complex. New electron microprobe analyses yielded an empirical formula, on the basis of (V4+V5+12), of (Ca4.26Mg1.09Na0.35K0.04Sr0.03)[Al0.87(V4+V5+12)O39]·28.15 H2O.
The new mineral libbyite (IMA2022-091), (NH4)(2)(Na-2 rectangle)[(UO2)(2)(SO4)(3)(H2O)](2)center dot 7H(2)O, was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as tightly intergrown aggregates of light green-yellow equant crystals in a secondary assemblage with bobcookite, coquimbite, halotrichite, metavoltine, rhomboclase, romerite, tamarugite, voltaite and zincorietveldite. The streak is very pale green yellow and the fluorescence is strong green under 405 nm ultraviolet light. Crystals are transparent with vitreous lustre. The tenacity is brittle, the Mohs hardness is similar to 21/2, the fracture is curved. The mineral is soluble in H2O and has a calculated density of 3.465 g.cm(-3). The mineral is optically uniaxial (-) with omega= 1.581(2) and epsilon = 1.540(2). Electron microprobe analyses provided (NH4)(1.92)K0.08Na2.00U4.00S6.00O41H18.00. Libbyite is tetragonal, P4(1)2(1)2, a = 10.7037(11), c = 31.824(2) angstrom, V = 3646.0(8) angstrom(3) and Z = 4. The structural unit is a uranyl-sulfate sheet that has the same topology as the sheets in several synthetic uranyl selenates.
AbstractThe new mineral libbyite (IMA2022-091), (NH4)2(Na2□)[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)]2⋅7H2O, was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as tightly intergrown aggregates of light green–yellow equant crystals in a secondary assemblage with bobcookite, coquimbite, halotrichite, metavoltine, rhomboclase, römerite, tamarugite, voltaite and zincorietveldite. The streak is very pale green yellow and the fluorescence is strong green under 405 nm ultraviolet light. Crystals are transparent with vitreous lustre. The tenacity is brittle, the Mohs hardness is ~2½, the fracture is curved. The mineral is soluble in H2O and has a calculated density of 3.465 g⋅cm–3. The mineral is optically uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.581(2) and ɛ = 1.540(2). Electron microprobe analyses provided (NH4)1.92K0.08Na2.00U4.00S6.00O41H18.00. Libbyite is tetragonal,P41212,a= 10.7037(11),c= 31.824(2) Å,V= 3646.0(8) Å3andZ= 4. The structural unit is a uranyl–sulfate sheet that has the same topology as the sheets in several synthetic uranyl selenates.
ABSTRACT Gunterite was originally assigned the ideal formula Na4[H2V10O28]·22H2O. More detailed bond-valence analysis brought into question the presence of a protonated decavanadate anion, which led to the reexamination of the mineral. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed the absence of NH4. Reinterpretation of the original crystal structure data and new electron-probe microanalyses support the redefinition of gunterite as having the ideal formula Na4Ca[V10O28]·20H2O. This redefinition has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association.
ABSTRACT Nitroplumbite (IMA2021-045a), [Pb4(OH)4](NO3)4, is a new mineral discovered at the Burro mine, Slick Rock district, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA. It occurs in a secondary efflorescent assemblage on asphaltite and montroseite- and corvusite-bearing sandstone in association with baryte, chalcomenite, and volborthite. The mineral forms as brown equant (pseudocubic) or colorless bladed crystals. The streak is white, luster is vitreous to greasy, Mohs hardness is 2½, tenacity is brittle, and fracture is conchoidal. Nitroplumbite is optically biaxial (–) with α = 1.790(5), β =1.820 (est.), and γ = 1.823 (est.) (white light); 2Vmeas = 35(1)°; optical orientation: Z = b; nonpleochroic. The calculated density is 5.297 g/cm3 for the empirical formula. Electron probe microanalysis provided the empirical formula Pb4.18(OH)4(N0.98O3)4. Nitroplumbite is monoclinic, space group Ia, a = 18.3471(7), b = 17.3057(4), c = 18.6698(8) Å, β = 91.872(3)°, V = 5924.7(4) Å3, and Z = 16. The crystal structure (R1 = 0.0509 for 11161 I > 2σI reflections) is the same as that previously determined for its synthetic analogue. It consists of isolated, internally bonded cubane-like [Pb4(OH)4]4+ clusters and isolated (NO3)– groups that are linked together by long Pb–O bonds and hydrogen bonds.
AbstractThe new mineral alumolukrahnite (IMA2022–059), CaCu2+Al(AsO4)2(OH)(H2O), was found at the Jote mine, Copiapó Province, Chile, where it is a secondary alteration phase associated with conichalcite, coronadite, gypsum, olivenite, pharmacosiderite, rruffite and scorodite. Alumolukrahnite occurs as crude diamond-shaped tablets up to ~0.1 mm, intergrown in crude spherical aggregates. Crystals are apple green and transparent to translucent, with vitreous lustre and a white streak. The Mohs hardness is 3½. The mineral is brittle with irregular fracture and no cleavage. The calculated density is 4.094 g cm–3. Optically, alumolukrahnite is biaxial (+) with α = 1.73(1), β = 1.74(1) and γ = 1.76(1) (white light). The empirical formula, determined from electron microprobe analyses, is Ca1.01(Cu0.92Zn0.13)Σ1.05(Al0.96Fe0.01)Σ0.97(As0.985O4)2(OH)0.88(H2O)1.12. Alumolukrahnite is triclinic, P$\bar{1}$, a = 5.343(5), b = 5.501(5), c = 7.329(5) Å, α = 67.72(2), β = 69.06(2), γ = 69.42(2)°, V = 180.3(3) Å3 and Z = 1. Alumolukrahnite is a member of the tsumcorite group and is the Al analogue of lukrahnite.
Abstract Nitscheite (IMA2020-078), (NH4)2[(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2]·3H2O, is a new mineral species from the Green Lizard mine, Red Canyon, San Juan County, Utah, U.S.A. It is a secondary phase found in association with chinleite-(Y), gypsum, pyrite, and Co-rich rietveldite. Nitscheite occurs in subparallel and divergent intergrowths of yellow prisms, up to about 0.3 mm in length. Crystals are elongated on [101] and exhibit the forms {100}, {010}, {001}, and {111̅}. The mineral is transparent with vitreous luster and very pale-yellow streak. It exhibits bright green fluorescence under a 405 nm laser. The Mohs hardness is ~2. The mineral has brittle tenacity, curved fracture, and one good cleavage on {010}. The measured density is 3.30(2) g·cm−3. The mineral is easily soluble in H2O at room temperature. The mineral is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.560(2), β = 1.582(2), γ = 1.583(2) (white light); 2Vmeas = 17(1)°; no dispersion; orientation X = b, Z ≈ [101]; pleochroism X colorless, Y and Z yellow; X < Y ≈ Z. Electron microprobe analysis provided the empirical formula (NH4)1.99U2.00S3.00O21H10.01. Nitscheite is monoclinic, P21/n, a = 17.3982(4), b = 12.8552(3), c = 17.4054(12) Å, β = 96.649(7)°, V = 3866.7(3) Å3, and Z = 8. The structure (R1 = 0.0329 for 4547 I > 3σI reflections) contains [(UO2)2(SO4)3(H2O)2]2− uranyl-sulfate sheets, which are unique among minerals, with NH4 and H2O groups between the sheets.
AbstractPhilipsburgite has been redefined as the intermediate member of the goldhillite–philipsburgite–kipushite isomorphous series with the ideal formula Cu5Zn[(AsO4)(PO4)](OH)6⋅H2O due to the site-selective As–P substitution. The new mineral goldhillite, ideally Cu5Zn(AsO4)2(OH)6⋅H2O [or Cu5Zn(AsO4)(AsO4)(OH)6⋅H2O], is the arsenate end-member of this series. Goldhillite occurs on fracture surfaces in a rock comprised mostly of quartz with iron hydroxides in association with mixite, cornwallite and conichalcite. Goldhillite forms transparent, bright emerald-green, tabular crystals with vitreous lustre, flattened on {100}, up to 1 mm across and in rosettes up to 1.5 mm. The mineral is brittle with uneven fracture and perfect cleavage on {100}; the Mohs hardness is 3.5. The calculated density for the holotype is 4.199 g cm–3. The Raman spectrum is consistent with the presence of H2O-molecules, OH-groups, AsO4 tetrahedra and traces of PO4. Electron microprobe analyses of goldhillite (H2O content based on the crystal structure) provided: CuO 48.91, ZnO 13.18, As2O5 26.06, P2O5 3.25, H2O 8.97, total 100.37 wt.%. The empirical formula for goldhillite based on O = 15 apfu is (Cu4.69Zn1.23)Σ5.92(As0.86P0.18O4)2(OH)5.61⋅H2O. The crystal structures of goldhillite and philipsburgite were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and refined to R1 = 0.054 (for 2365 I > 2σI reflections) and 0.052 (for 2308 I > 2σI reflections), respectively. Goldhillite is monoclinic, P21/c, a = 12.3573(5), b = 9.2325(3), c = 10.7163(4) Å, β = 97.346(4)°, V = 1212.59(8) Å3 and Z = 4. Philipsburgite is monoclinic, P21/c, a = 12.3095(9), b = 9.2276(3), c = 10.7195(3) Å, β = 97.137(7)°, V = 1208.16(10) Å3 and Z = 4. The strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern of goldhillite [d, Å (I, %)(hkl)] are: 4.09 (28)(300), 3.41 (23)(12$\bar{2}$, 221, 311), 2.57 (100)(132, 11$\bar{4}$, 20$\bar{4}$), 2.17 (18)(42$\bar{3}$, 332), 1.95 (22)(432) and 1.54 (20)(13$\bar{6}$, 060). Goldhillite is named after its type locality, the Gold Hill mine, Tooele County, Utah, USA.
ABSTRACTWe present a novel approach to developing a unified radiocarbon-based chronology for multiple sediment cores from a location where radiocarbon dating is challenging. We used 36 radiocarbon ages from eight terminal Pleistocene and Holocene sediment cores with correlated stratigraphies. Stratigraphic correlation was accomplished using a combination of high-resolution photography, high-resolution X-ray fluorescence-based elemental composition data, and volcanic tephra identification. Results show that despite problems associated with potential contamination or radiocarbon reservoir effect, a useful age-depth model has been created for the correlated lacustrine sections of these eight sediment cores, providing chronological controls for future paleoenvironmental analyses of the cores.
ABSTRACT Donowensite (IMA2020-067), Ca(H2O)3Fe3+2(V2O7)2, and mikehowardite (IMA2020-068), Fe3+4(VO4)4(H2O)2·H2O, are intimately associated new secondary minerals from the Wilson Springs vanadium mine, Wilson Springs, Arkansas, USA. Donowensite has the following properties: needles up to 1 mm in length; yellow color; orange streak; subadamantine luster; brittle; Mohs hardness 3; splintery fracture; three cleavages ({001} perfect, {100} and {010} very good); density 2.97(2) g/cm3; biaxial (+), α > 1.95, β > 1.95, γ > 1.95; 2V = 72(2)°; moderate r > v dispersion; orientation X ^ b = 7°, Z ≈ c; pleochroism X brown orange, Y orange yellow, Z yellow. Mikehowardite has the following properties: equant prisms up to 0.15 mm in length; very dark brown color; yellow-orange streak; subadamantine luster; Mohs hardness 3½; irregular, stepped fracture; three cleavages ({100} very good, two undetermined good cleavages); density 3.19(2) g/cm3; biaxial with slight pleochroism in shades of brown-orange; Gladstone-Dale nav = 2.034. Electron probe microanalyses provided the empirical formulae Ca0.93Fe3+1.92Mn3+0.01V4.06P0.01O17H6.00 for donowensite and K0.11Ca0.02Fe3+3.78Mn3+0.03V3.67P0.33O18.87H6.18 for mikehowardite. Donowensite is triclinic, P with a = 7.3452(4), b = 9.9291(4), c = 10.0151(7) Å, α = 94.455(7), β = 98.476(7), γ = 100.779(7)°, V = 705.52(7) Å3, and Z = 2. Mikehowardite is triclinic, P with a = 6.6546(17), b = 6.6689(14), c = 9.003(2) Å, α = 76.515(5), β = 84.400(6), γ = 75.058(5)°, V = 375.11(15) Å3, and Z = 1. The structure of donowensite (R1 = 0.0561 for 2615 I > 2σI reflections) contains zig-zag chains of edge-sharing FeO6 octahedra that are linked to one another by V2O7 pyrovanadate groups to form sheets between which are Ca2+ cations and H2O groups. The structure of mikehowardite (R1 = 0.0678 for 1098 I > 2σI reflections) has similarities to the structure of schubnelite. In both mikehowardite and schubnelite, edge-sharing dimers of Fe3+O6 octahedra are linked by distorted VO4 tetrahedra.
AbstractThe new mineral uranoclite (IMA2020-074), (UO2)2(OH)2Cl2(H2O)4, was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as tightly intergrown aggregates of irregular yellow crystals in a secondary assemblage with gypsum. The streak is very pale yellow and the fluorescence is bright green–white under 405 nm ultraviolet light. Crystals are translucent with vitreous lustre. The tenacity is brittle, the Mohs hardness is ~1½, the fracture is irregular. The mineral is soluble in H2O and has a calculated density of 4.038 g⋅cm–3. Electron microprobe analyses provided (UO2)2(OH)2.19Cl1.81(H2O)4. The six strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 8.85(38)(002), 5.340(100)(200, 110), 5.051(63)($\bar{2}$02), 4.421(83)(112, 004, 202), 3.781(38)($\bar{2}$12) and 3.586(57)(014, $\bar{2}$04). Uranoclite is monoclinic, P21/n, a = 10.763(8), b = 6.156(8), c = 17.798(8) Å, β = 95.656(15)°, V = 1173.5(18) Å3 and Z = 4. The structure is the same as that of synthetic (UO2)2(OH)2Cl2(H2O)4 in which the structural unit is a dimer consisting of two pentagonal bipyramids that share an equatorial OH–OH edge. The dimers are linked to one another only by hydrogen bonding. This is the second known uranyl mineral containing essential Cl and the first in which Cl coordinates to U6+.
ABSTRACT The new minerals allantoin (IMA2020–004a), C4H6N4O3, and natrosulfatourea (IMA2019–134), Na2(SO4)[CO(NH2)2], were found in the Rowley mine, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, where they occur together in bat guano in association with aphthitalite and urea. Allantoin properties: colorless, transparent, untwinned blades to 0.3 mm; white streak; vitreous luster; brittle; Mohs hardness 1½; conchoidal fracture; good {100} cleavage; 1.72(2) g/cm3 density; biaxial (+) with α = 1.558(2), β = 1.593(2), γ = 1.715(3); 2V = 60(1)°; slight r > v dispersion; optical orientation: Y = b, Z ^ a = 30° in obtuse β. Natrosulfatourea properties: colorless, transparent, untwinned prisms to 0.3 mm; white streak; vitreous luster; brittle; Mohs hardness 1½; irregular fracture; perfect {100} cleavage; 1.97(2) g/cm3 density; biaxial (+) with α = 1.456(2), β = 1.464(5), γ = 1.524(2); 2V = 42(1)°; no dispersion; optical orientation: X = a, Y = c, Z = b. Quantitative chemical analyses could not be obtained for allantoin. Electron microprobe analyses provided the empirical formula Na2.02(S0.98O4)[CO(NH2)2] for natrosulfatourea. Allantoin is monoclinic, P21/c, a = 8.0304(9), b = 5.1596(5), c = 14.8011(18) Å, β = 93.017(7)°, V = 612.41(11) Å3, and Z = 4. Natrosufatourea is orthorhombic, Pbcn, a = 5.5918(4), b = 18.1814(14), c = 6.7179(5) Å, V = 682.98(9) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure of allantoin (R1 = 0.0432 for 1073 I > 2σI) is the same as that reported for the equivalent organic compound. In the structure of natrosulfatourea (R1 = 0.0413 for 785 I > 2σI) NaO6 polyhedra and SO4 tetrahedra form polyhedral layers. The O atom of the CO(NH2)2 (urea) group ligates to two Na atoms and projects into the space between polyhedral layers, linking adjacent layers through hydrogen bonds.
ABSTRACT Mineral species that contain the decavanadate isopolyanion [V10O28]6–, including its protonated and mixed-valence variants, constitute the pascoite family of minerals. Within the pascoite family, the isostructural minerals pascoite and magnesiopascoite form the pascoite group and the isostructural minerals lasalite and ammoniolasalite form the lasalite group. Rakovanite, which was originally assigned the ideal formula Na3[H3V10O28]·15H2O, is redefined with the ideal formula (NH4)3Na3[V10O28]·12H2O.
The long‐running controversy over typological concept use in archaeological investigations hinges on whether such procedures introduce assumptions, and channel interpretations, in ways that can equate analytical groups with bounded cultural‐historical units inappropriately. James A. Ford's writings, in reaction to the arguments of Albert Spaulding, have often been cited as the founding instance of this criticism. To illustrate his concerns, Ford drew a hypothetical village of houses and used these forms to make a number of assertions regarding the nature of artifact variability that, he felt, demonstrated inherent errors with Spaulding's artifact‐analysis approach. However, despite the intense character of this controversy, both at the time and subsequently, no one appears to have tested, or confirmed, any of Ford's assertions objectively. Morphometric analyses of Ford's simulation demonstrates all published assertions of which we are aware regarding patterns of variation exhibited by these drawn artifact forms, published in the intervening 67 years, are either wholly or substantially incorrect. Both traditional and new pattern‐recognition techniques allow for the identification of more fine‐grained structure in artifact variation patterns than is possible using qualitative approaches. These findings argue strongly for a re‐evaluation of the role of typology in archaeological research.
Obsidian is abundant in the Main Ethiopian Rift (MER). Petrological and geochemical features of obsidian from four volcanic centers in the MER, namely Birenti, Dofen, Fentale and Kone, are presented. Compositional and petrological variability is noted among the Dofen and Fentale obsidian, but not in those from Kone and Birenti where each have separate but uniform elemental composition. The Fentale and Kone obsidian were source materials for the artifacts of a number of Middle Stone Age and Later Stone Age/Neolithic sites in the region. We have yet to determine whether Dofen and Birenti were sources for archeological artifacts. The study also shows that volcanic episodes from a single center do not necessarily result in compositional variability.
AbstractThebaite-(NH4), (NH4,K)3Al(C2O4)(PO3OH)2(H2O), is a new mineral species (IMA2020-072) 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 thebaite-(NH4) are antipinite, vanadinite and at least one other new mineral. Crystals of thebaite-(NH4) are colourless blades up to ~0.1 mm in length. The streak is white, lustre is vitreous, Mohs hardness is 1½–2, tenacity is brittle and fracture is splintery. There are two good cleavages in the [010] zone, probably {100} and {10$\bar{2}$}. The calculated density is 2.093 g⋅cm–3. Thebaite-(NH4) is optically biaxial (–) with α = 1.490(2), β = 1.534(2), γ = 1.570(2) (white light); 2V = 82.7(5)°; slight r > v dispersion; and orientation X = b, Y ^ c = 13° in obtuse β. Electron microprobe analysis gave the empirical formula [(NH4)2.12K0.69Na0.20]Σ3.01(Al0.84Fe3+0.11V3+0.04)Σ0.99(C2O4)[(P0.98Si0.02)O3OH]2(H2O), with the C, N and H contents constrained by the crystal structure. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of NH4 and C2O4. Thebaite-(NH4) is monoclinic, P21/c, with a = 11.156(9), b = 6.234(6), c = 18.651(16) Å, β = 102.928(15)°, V = 1264.2(19) Å3 and Z = 4. The structural unit in the crystal structure of thebaite-(NH4) (R1 = 0.0612 for 863 Io > 2σI reflections) is a double-strand chain of corner-sharing AlO6 octahedra and PO3OH tetrahedra decorated by additional PO3OH tetrahedra and C2O4 groups. The decorated chains connect to one another through bonds to NH4+ and K+ and through hydrogen bonds.
ABSTRACT Lumsdenite (IMA 2018–092), ideally NaCa3Mg2(As3+V4+2V5+10As5+6O51)·45H2O, is a rare new polyoxometalate mineral from the Packrat mine, Gateway district, Mesa County, Colorado, USA. Crystals of lumsdenite occur as blades up to 0.2 mm in length, commonly growing in sprays. The crystals are dark green blue, with a green-blue streak. The mineral occurs on asphaltum, associated with montroseite- and corvusite-bearing sandstone. Other secondary minerals found in close association with lumsdenite are gypsum, huemulite, rösslerite, and at least two other potentially new minerals. Lumsdenite is optically biaxial (–), with α 1.617(2), β 1.651(5), and γ 1.675(5) in white light. The pleochroism scheme for lumsdenite is X = greenish yellow, Y = dark greenish blue, Z = greenish blue; X << Z < Y. The mineral is triclinic, , with a 10.3490(5), b 17.6263(9), c 23.2556(16) Å, α 82.208(6), β 88.351(6), γ 81.702(6)°, V 4158.8(4) Å3, and Z = 2. The strongest four powder diffraction lines for lumsdenite are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: , 14.86(80)(011), 17.30(44)(010), and 10.22(32)(100). The atomic arrangement of lumsdenite contains the novel polyoxometalate heteropolyanion [As3+V4+,5+12As5+6O51] structural unit in lumsdenite, [As3+V4+25+10As5+6O51]11−, which has previously been found in four other minerals from the Packrat mine. The charge of the structural unit is balanced by the charge of the [NaCa3Mg2(H2O)31·14H2O]11+ interstitial complex. The name lumsdenite is for the location of the mine at the head of Lumsden Canyon.
Niasite (IMA2019-105) and johanngeorgenstadtite (IMA2019-122) are Ni-4.5(2+)(AsO4)(3) dimorphs from Johanngeorgenstadt, Saxony, Germany. The two new minerals occur in association with one another and with aerugite, bunsenite, quartz, rooseveltite and xanthiosite. This mineral assemblage is apparently secondary in origin and most likely formed from the breakdown of primary nickeline under dry (low relative humidity) and oxidizing (high oxygen fugacity) conditions. Both minerals are found in sugary aggregates of irregular, rounded grains or short prisms. Niasite properties are as follows: colour violet-red to red-orange; streak pale pink; transparent; resinous to subadamantine lustre; brittle tenacity; no cleavage; conchoidal fracture; Mohs hardness similar to 4; density(caic) 5.222 g cm(-3); optically uniaxial (-), omega 1.925(5) and epsilon 1.855(5) (white light), pleochroism O beige, E deep pink (O < E). Johanngeorgenstadtite properties are as follows: colour pink-orange; streak pale pink; transparent; resinous to subadamantine lustre; brittle tenacity; {010}, {110} and {1 - 10} cleavage; curved and stepped fracture; Mohs hardness similar to 5; densitycaic 4.801 g cm(-3); optically biaxial (-), alpha 1.83(1), beta 1.86(1), gamma 1.88(1) (white light), 2V(meas) 78(1)degrees, pleochroism X violet, Y light olive, Z yellow (X > Y > Z). Raman spectra of both minerals are dominated by the stretching vibrations of AsO4 tetrahedra and confirm that both minerals are anhydrous. Electron microprobe analyses give the empirical formulas (Ni3.692+Co0.662+Fe0.032+Al0.02Na0.02Cu0.012+)(Sigma 4.43)As3.03O12 and (Ni3.562+Co0.752+Cu0.032+)(Sigma 4.43)As3.03O12 for niasite and johanngeorgenstadtite, respectively. Niasite is tetragonal I42d, with a = 6.8046(8), c= 18.6190(13) angstrom, V = 862.1(2) angstrom(3) and Z = 4. Johanngeorgenstadtite is monoclinic, C2/c, with a = 11.933(3), b = 12.753(3), c= 6.6956(17) angstrom, beta = 113.302(8)degrees, V = 935.9(4) angstrom(3) and Z = 4. The structure of niasite (R-1 = 0.0226 for 471 I-o > 2 sigma I reflections) is the same as that of jeffbenite, as well as those of several garnet-like synthetic phases. Johanngeorgenstadtite (R-1 = 0.0375 for 355 I-0 > 2 sigma I reflections) has an unprotonated alluaudite structure.
ABSTRACT Fulbrightite (IMA2019–032), Ca(VO)2(AsO4)2·4H2O, is a new mineral from the Packrat mine, near Gateway, Mesa County, Colorado, USA, and from the Rovnost mine, Jáchymov, Czech Republic. It is a low-temperature secondary phase. The mineral most typically occurs in shades of light green and forms rosettes of roughly square (pseudotetragonal) plates. The streak is colorless to pale green and the luster is vitreous to pearly. The Mohs hardness is about 2½. Crystals are brittle, but slightly flexible in thin plates. Cleavages are (001) perfect, (100) and (010) excellent, (110) and fair. Fracture is stepped, irregular, and curved. The measured density is 3.12(2) g/cm3. The mineral is optically biaxial (–), α = 1.675(3), β = 1.718(3), and γ = 1.718(3) (white light); 2V ≈ 5°; orientation: X ≈ c; pleochroism: X colorless, Y and Z pale green (X < Y = Z). Electron-microprobe analyses gave the empirical formulae Ca0.99(V4+1.00O)2[(As5+0.98V5+0.02)O4]2·4(H2.005O) (Packrat mine) and (Ca1.02Fe0.01Ba0.01)Σ1.04(V4+O)1.96[(As5+0.99P0.01)O4]2·4.04H2O (Rovnost mine). X-ray powder diffraction (coupled with the chemical analyses) showed fulbrightite to be the arsenate analog of sincosite. The mineral is triclinic, space group P1, with cell parameters a = 6.434(8), b = 6.480(8), c = 6.718(8) Å, α = 107.90(6), β = 94.06(4), γ = 90.06(3)°, V = 265.8(6) Å3, and Z = 1. The Raman and infrared spectra of fulbrightite and sincosite are consistent with them being arsenate and phosphate analogs, respectively.
The new mineral pseudomeisserite-(NH4) (IMA2018-166), (NH4,K)(2)Na-4[(UO2)(2)(SO4)(5)]center dot 4H(2)O, was found in the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA, where it occurs as light yellow prisms in a secondary assemblage with belakovskiite, blodite, changoite, ferrinatrite, gypsum, ivsite, metavoltine and tamarugite. The streak is very pale yellow and the fluorescence is bright lime green under 405 nm ultraviolet light. Crystals are transparent with vitreous lustre. The tenacity is brittle, the Mohs hardness is 21/2, the fracture is curved or conchoidal and there is one perfect cleavage on {100}. The mineral is easily soluble in H2O and has a measured density of 3.22(2) g.cm(-3). Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) is optically biaxial (-) with alpha = 1.536(2), beta = 1.559(2) and gamma = 1.565(2) (white light); 2V(meas). = 53(1)degrees; dispersion is r > v, distinct; pleochroism: X colourless, Y light yellow and Z pale yellow (X < Z < Y); optical orientation: Z = b, Y boolean AND c = 33 degrees in obtuse beta). Electron microprobe analyses (WDS mode) provided (NH4)(1.49)K0.60Na3.87U2.00S5.04O28H7.78. The five strongest X-ray powder diffraction lines are [d(obs), angstrom(I)(hkl)]: 12.69(76)(100), 6.83(84)(012,102), 6.01(100)((2) over bar 02), 3.959(67)((2) over bar 21, (2) over bar 14, (1) over bar 23) and 3.135(76)((2) over bar 06,223, (1) over bar 16). Pseudomeisserite-(NH4) is monoclinic, P2(1)/c, a = 13.1010(3), b = 10.0948(2), c = 19.4945(14) angstrom, beta = 104.285(7)degrees, V = 2498.5(2) angstrom(3) and Z = 4. The structural unit in the structure (R-1 = 0.0254 for 3837 I > 2 sigma I reflections) is a novel [(UO2)(2)(SO4)(5)](6-) uranyl-sulfate band.