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The information given here is provided by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification for comparative purposes and as a service to mineralogists working on new species. Each mineral is described in the following format: mineral name, if the authors agree on its release prior to the full description appearing in press; chemical formula; type locality; full authorship of proposal; e-mail address of the corresponding author; relationship with other minerals; crystal system, space group, structure determined, yes or no; unit-cell parameters; strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern; type specimen repository and specimen number; citation details for the mineral prior to publication of the full description. Citation details concern the fact that this information will be published in the European Journal of Mineralogy on a routine basis as well as being added month by month to the commission's website. It is still a requirement for the authors to publish a full description of the new mineral. No other information will be released by the commission.

Exceptionally large crystals of posnjakite, Cu4SO4(OH)6(H2O), formed during corrosion of a Swagelock(tm) Snubber copper gasket within the MX1 beamline at the ANSTO-Melbourne, Australian Synchrotron. The crystal structure was solved using synchrotron radiation and revealed a structure based upon [Cu4(OH)6(H2O)O] sheets, which contain Jahn–Teller-distorted Cu octa­hedra., Exceptionally large crystals of posnjakite, Cu4SO4(OH)6(H2O), formed during corrosion of a Swagelock(tm) Snubber copper gasket within the MX1 beamline at the ANSTO-Melbourne, Australian Synchrotron. The crystal structure was solved using synchrotron radiation to R 1 = 0.029 and revealed a structure based upon [Cu4(OH)6(H2O)O] sheets, which contain Jahn–Teller-distorted Cu octa­hedra. The sulfate tetra­hedra are bonded to one side of the sheet via corner sharing and linked to successive sheets via extensive hydrogen bonds. The sulfate tetra­hedra are split and rotated, which enables additional hydrogen bonds.

Healing of the skin and oral mucosa utilises similar mechanisms of tissue repair, however, scarring and the rate of wound closure is vastly superior in the oral cavity suggesting differences between these two environments. One key difference is the phenotype of dermal fibroblasts compared to fibroblasts of gingival tissues. Human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs) are undifferentiated cells with multi-differentiation and self-renewal capacities. This study aimed to examine if delivering hGFs or their secretome, contained in hGF-conditioned media (hGF-CM), would improve healing of the skin and recapitulate features of oral healing. Human fibroblasts, keratinocytes and endothelial cells were first treated with hGF-CM and showed improved migration, proliferation and angiogenic functions. A significant reduction in macroscopic wound area and histologic dermal wound width, as well as an increased rate of re-epithelialisation, were observed in both hGFs and hGF-CM treated murine excisional wounds. This improvement was associated with reduced inflammation, increased angiogenesis and elevated collagen deposition. These findings demonstrate that treatment of dermal wounds with either hGFs or hGF-CM may provide beneficial gingival-like properties to dermal wounds and may be a potential opportunity for improving healing of the skin.

The previously unknown crystal structure of pingguite was determined and refined from laboratory X-ray powder diffraction data using a synthetic sample. Additional single crystal diffraction of natural pingguite confirms that the crystal structure of the synthetic sample is identical to the natural mineral. This new crystal structure calls for a revised chemistry of the rare mineral pingguite to Bi $$_6$$ Te $$_2$$ O $$_{15}$$ instead of the previously reported formula Bi $$_6$$ Te $$_2$$ O $$_{13}$$ . Pingguite contains Te $$^\mathrm{VI}$$ only and not Te $$^\mathrm{IV}$$ as previously reported. Pingguite undergoes an irreversible phase transition around 840 $$^{\circ }$$ C which is characterized by a loss of oxygen and a reduction from Te $$^\mathrm{VI}$$ to Te $$^\mathrm{IV}$$ resulting in a $$\delta $$ -Bi $$_2$$ O $$_3$$ like type structure. In addition, we report the Raman spectroscopic data on the natural pingguite.

Pericytes are peri-vascular mural cells which have an important role in the homeostatic regulation of inflammatory and angiogenic processes. Flightless I (Flii) is a cytoskeletal protein involved in regulating cellular functions, but its involvement in pericyte activities during wound healing is unknown. Exacerbated inflammation and reduced angiogenesis are hallmarks of impaired diabetic healing responses, and strategies aimed at regulating these processes are vital for improving healing outcomes. To determine the effect of altering Flii expression on pericyte function, in vitro and in vivo studies were performed to assess the effect on healing, inflammation and angiogenesis in diabetic wounds. Here, we demonstrated that human diabetic wounds display upregulated expression of the Flii protein in conjunction with a depletion in the number of platelet derived growth factor receptor &beta, (PDGFR&beta, ) +/ neural glial antigen 2 (NG2) + pericytes present in the dermis. Human pericytes were found to be positive for Flii and attenuating its expression in vitro through siRNA knockdown led to enhanced proliferation, migration and angiogenic functions. Genetic knockdown of Flii in a streptozotocin-induced murine model of diabetes led to increased numbers of pericytes within the wound. This was associated with dampened inflammation, an increased rate of angiogenic repair and improved wound healing. Our findings show that Flii expression directly impacts pericyte functions, including proliferation, motility and angiogenic responses. This suggests that Flii regulation of pericyte function may be in part responsible for the changes in pericyte-related processes observed in diabetic wounds.

The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for the treatment of cutaneous wounds is currently of enormous interest. However, the broad translation of cell therapies into clinical use is hampered by their efficacy, safety, manufacturing and cost. MSCs release a broad repertoire of trophic factors and immunomodulatory cytokines, referred to as the MSC secretome, that has considerable potential for the treatment of cutaneous wounds as a cell-free therapy. In this review, we outline the current status of MSCs as a treatment for cutaneous wounds and introduce the potential of the MSC secretome as a cell-free alternative for wound repair. We discuss the challenges and provide insights and perspectives for the future development of the MSC secretome as well as identify its potential clinical translation into a therapeutic treatment Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Wound healing is a complex process made up of four distinct but overlapping stages including, haemostasis, inflammation, proliferation and remodelling. In skin, the overall aim of the wound healing process is to reform the barrier to the outside environment, in as short a time as possible, to prevent infection and fluid loss. Wound healing involves numerous growth factor and cytokine signalling cascades which help to remove infection from the wound and reform the damaged skin. However, if there is any disruption or alteration to these four stages, delayed healing can result along with the formation of chronic wounds. Chronic wounds may take many months to heal or even fail to heal completely, which in the worst cases may lead to amputations. In this chapter, the process of wound healing is described along with the various triggers that can contribute to the formation of diabetic ulcers, pressure injuries and arterial and venous ulcers. The effect of age on healing responses is discussed as the increasing numbers of elderly people in our societies is leading to an unprecedented increase in wounds in the community. Finally, wound infection is introduced as it is becoming increasingly prevalent and is creating a significant challenge for wound management due to the emerging prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. Overall, these challenges are leading to a pressing need for improved treatments and clinical approaches for the treatment of wounds.

The crystal structure of caesium neodymium(III) sulfate, CsNd(SO4)2, was determined from intensity data collected on a Rigaku tabletop XtaLAB mini II diffractometer at the International Union of Crystallography Congress 2017, in Hyderabad, India. CsNd(SO4)2is the fourth crystal structure to be reported in the CsPr(SO4)2family: the Cs and Nd atoms have site symmetries of 2.. and ..2, respectively. In the extended structure, NdO8square antiprisms and SO4tetrahedra are connected into layers, which propagate in the (101) plane and CsO14polyhedra connect the layers into a three-dimensional network.

Much of current research investigates the beneficial properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a treatment for wounds and other forms of injury. In this review, we bring attention to and discuss the role of the pericyte, a cell type which shares much of the differentiation potential and regenerative properties of the MSC as well as specific roles in the regulation of angiogenesis, inflammation and fibrosis. Pericytes have been identified as dysfunctional or depleted in many disease states, and observing the outcomes of pericyte perturbation in models of disease and wound healing informs our understanding of overall pericyte function and identifies these cells as an important target in the development of therapies to encourage healing. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Wampenite, C 18 H 16 , is a new organic mineral from the fossil wood (conifer) locality at Wampen, Fichtelgebirge, Bavaria, Germany. It is monoclinic, space group P 2 1 / a , with a = 6.7331(19), b = 8.689(3), c = 23.709(7) A, β = 90.118(6)°, V = 1387.0(7) A 3 and Z = 4. Its structure was determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, which revealed that the molecular structure comprises an aromatic phenanthrene moiety with an axial methyl group at one end and a disordered propen-2-yl (methylvinyl) terminal group at the other. High resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) confirmed the molecular formula C 18 H 16 and the IR spectrum is consistent with the molecular structure found.

Culture surfaces that substantially reduce the degree of cell manipulation in the delivery of cell sheets to patients are described. These surfaces support the attachment, culture, and delivery of multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC). It was essential that the processes of attachment/detachment to the surface did not affect cell phenotype nor the function of the cultured cells. Both acid-based and aminebased surface coatings were generated from acrylic acid, propanoic acid, diaminopropane, and heptylamine precursors, respectively. While both functional groups supported cell attachment/detachment, amine coated surfaces gave optimal performance. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that at a primary amine to carbon surface ratio of between 0.01 and 0.02, greater than 90% of attached cells were effectively transferred to a model wound bed. A dependence on primary amine concentration has not previously been reported. After 48 h of culture on the optimized amine surface, PCR, functional, and viability assays showed that MAPC retained their stem cell phenotype, full metabolic activity, and biological function. Consequently, in a proof of concept experiment, it was shown that this amine surface when coated onto a surgical dressing provides an effective and simple technology for the delivery of MAPC to murine dorsal excisional wounds, with MAPC delivery verified histologically. By optimizing for cell delivery using a combination of in vitro and in vivo techniques, we developed an effective surface for the delivery of MAPC in a clinically relevant format. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Optimum healing of a cutaneous wound involves a well-orchestrated cascade of biological and molecular processes involving cell migration, proliferation, extracellular matrix deposition, and remodelling. When the normal biological process fails for any reason, this healing process can stall resulting in chronic wounds. Wounds are a growing clinical burden on healthcare systems and with an aging population as well as increasing incidences of obesity and diabetes, this problem is set to increase. Cell therapies may be the solution. A range of cell based approaches have begun to cross the rift from bench to bedside and the supporting data suggests that the appropriate administration of stem cells can accelerate wound healing. This review examines the main cell types explored for cutaneous wound healing with a focus on clinical use. The literature overwhelmingly suggests that cell therapies can help to heal cutaneous wounds when used appropriately but we are at risk of clinical use outpacing the evidence. There is a need, now more than ever, for standardised methods of cell characterisation and delivery, as well as randomised clinical trials. Refereed/Peer-reviewed

Saltonseaite, K3NaMn2+Cl6, is a new mineral from the Salton Sea, Imperial County, California, U.S.A., which formed as the result of the evaporation of geothermal (hydrothermal) brines enriched in K, Na, Mn, and Cl. It occurs as lozenge-shaped and bladed crystals to about 10 cm that are composites of parallel-grown {012} rhombohedra. It is associated with large, well-formed crystals of sylvite and halite. Crystals are transparent and colorless, but appear light orange due to inclusions of akaganeite. The streak is white and the luster is vitreous to oily, the latter being due to deliquescence. The Mohs hardness is about 2½, the tenacity is brittle, the fracture is irregular, and crystals exhibit one very good cleavage on {110}. The mineral has an astringent taste and is markedly hygroscopic. The measured and calculated densities are 2.26(1) and 2.297 g/cm3, respectively. Saltonseaite is soluble in water at room temperature and crystallizes from solution above 52 °C. Optically, saltonseaite is uniaxial positive, with ω = 1.577(1) and ɛ = 1.578(1) (white light) and is non-pleochroic. Energy-dispersive spectroscopic analyses (average of 5) provided: K 28.79, Na 5.35, Mn 13.48, Fe 0.24, Cl 52.19, total 100.05 wt%. The empirical formula (based on 6 Cl atoms) is: K3.00Na0.95Mn2+1.00Fe2+0.02Cl6. Saltonseaite is trigonal, R 3 c , with cell parameters a = 12.0966(5), c = 13.9555(10) A, V = 1768.48(16) A3, and Z = 6. The nine strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [ d obs in A( I )( hkl )]: 5.83(61)(012); 3.498(25)(300); 2.851(68)(131); 2.689(32)(312); 2.625(62)(214); 2.542(100)(223); 1.983(32)(324); 1.749(20)(600), and 1.384(22)(multiple). The structure of saltonseaite ( R 1 = 1.08% for 558 F o > 4σ F ) contains face-sharing chains of alternating Mn2+Cl6 octahedra and NaCl6 polyhedra along c . The chains are joined via bonds to eight-coordinated K atoms. Saltonseaite is isostructural with rinneite, K3NaFe2+Cl6, and very similar in structure with chlormanganokalite, K4Mn2+Cl6. Existing chemical analyses for saltonseaite and rinneite fail to confirm a solid-solution series between them; experimental studies are needed.

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) compounds are characterized by structures in which layers with a brucite-like structure carry a net positive charge, usually due to the partial substitution of trivalent octahedrally coordinated cations for divalent cations, giving a general layer formula [(M1–x2+M3+x)(OH)2]x+. This positive charge is balanced by anions which are intercalated between the layers. Intercalated molecular water typically provides hydrogen bonding between the brucite layers. In addition to synthetic compounds, some of which have significant industrial applications, more than 40 mineral species conform to this description. Hydrotalcite, Mg6Al2(OH)16[CO3]·4H2O, as the longest-known example, is the archetype of this supergroup of minerals. We review the history, chemistry, crystal structure, polytypic variation and status of all hydrotalcite-supergroup species reported to date. The dominant divalent cations,M2+, that have been reported in hydrotalcite supergroup minerals are Mg, Ca, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu and Zn; the dominant trivalent cations,M3+, are Al, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni. The most common intercalated anions are (CO3)2–, (SO4)2–and Cl–; and OH–, S2–and [Sb(OH)6]– have also been reported. Some species contain intercalated cationic or neutral complexes such as [Na(H2O)6]+or [MgSO4]0. We define eight groups within the supergroup on the basis of a combination of criteria. These are (1) the hydrotalcite group, withM2+:M3+= 3:1 (layer spacing ∼7.8 Å); (2) the quintinite group, withM2+:M3+= 2:1 (layer spacing ∼7.8 Å); (3) the fougèrite group, withM2+= Fe2+,M3+= Fe3+in a range of ratios, and with O2– replacing OH– in the brucite module to maintain charge balance (layer spacing ∼7.8 Å); (4) the woodwardite group, with variableM2+:M3+and interlayer [SO4]2 –, leading to an expanded layer spacing of ∼8.9 Å; (5) the cualstibite group, with interlayer [Sb(OH)6]– and a layer spacing of ∼9.7 Å; (6) the glaucocerinite group, with interlayer [SO4]2– as in the woodwardite group, and with additional interlayer H2O molecules that further expand the layer spacing to ∼11 Å; (7) the wermlandite group, with a layer spacing of ∼11 Å, in which cationic complexes occur with anions between the brucite-like layers; and (8) the hydrocalumite group, withM2+= Ca2+andM3+= Al, which contains brucite-like layers in which the Ca:Al ratio is 2:1 and the large cation, Ca2+, is coordinated to a seventh ligand of 'interlayer' water.The principal mineral status changes are as follows. (1) The names manasseite, sjögrenite and barbertonite are discredited; these minerals are the 2H polytypes of hydrotalcite, pyroaurite and stichtite, respectively. Cyanophyllite is discredited as it is the 1M polytype of cualstibite. (2) The mineral formerly described as fougèrite has been found to be an intimate intergrowth of two phases with distinct Fe2+:Fe3+ratios. The phase with Fe2+:Fe3+= 2:1 retains the name fougèrite; that with Fe2+:Fe3+= 1:2 is defined as the new species trébeurdenite. (3) The new minerals omsite (IMA2012-025), Ni2Fe3+(OH)6[Sb(OH)6], and mössbauerite (IMA2012-049), Fe3+6O4(OH)8[CO3]·3H2O, which are both in the hydrotalcite supergroup are included in the discussion. (4) Jamborite, carrboydite, zincaluminite, motukoreaite, natroglaucocerinite, brugnatellite and muskoxite are identified as questionable species which need further investigation in order to verify their structure and composition. (5) The ranges of compositions currently ascribed to motukoreaite and muskoxite may each represent more than one species. The same applies to the approved species hydrowoodwardite and hydrocalumite. (6) Several unnamed minerals have been reported which are likely to represent additional species within the supergroup.This report has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) of the International Mineralogical Association, voting proposal 12-B.We also propose a compact notation for identifying synthetic LDH phases, for use by chemists as a preferred alternative to the current widespread misuse of mineral names.

Stichtite, ideally Mg6Cr2CO3(OH)16·4H2O, from Stichtite Hill, Tasmania, Australia, and barbertonite, also ideally Mg6Cr2CO3(OH)16·4H2O, from the Kaapsehoop asbestos mine, South Africa, have been studied by powder X-ray diffraction and their structures have been refined using the Rietveld method. Stichtite from Stichtite Hill crystallizes in the rhombohedral space group R 3 m , with unit-cell parameters a = 3.09575(3) and c = 23.5069(6) A, V = 195.099(6) A3, with Z = 3/8. Barbertonite from the Kaapsehoop asbestos mine crystallizes in the hexagonal space group P 63/ mmc . The co-type specimens of barbertonite were found to be intergrown mixtures consisting of barbertonite and stichtite. Unit-cell parameters of barbertonite from the co-type specimens were a = 3.09689(6), c = 15.6193(8) A, and V = 129.731(8) A3 and a = 3.09646(6), c = 15.627(1) A V = 129.76(1) A3, and Z = ¼. Rietveld refinements of both stichtite and barbertonite show that they are polytypes rather than polymorphs and do not represent distinct mineral species. Several possible nomenclature systems are discussed for the naming of hydrotalcite minerals and groups. Raman band assignments are also presented for stichtite from Stichtite Hill. Stichtite and hydrotalcite minerals make up a large proportion of the ore at the Mount Keith nickel mine in Western Australia. Bulk powder diffraction shows the ore contains 6.1 wt% stichtite and 5.6 wt% iowaite. Hydrotalcite group minerals provide an important potential reservoir of CO2. At Mount Keith, the amount of CO2 mined as stichtite could exceed 45 000 metric tons per year, while exchange of Cl for CO3 could fix in excess of 40 000 metric tons CO2 per year if end-member iowaite is reacted to form pyaroaurite.

New CNMNC guidelines are established, in order to standardize the use of prefixes and suffixes in mineral nomenclature, and to preserve historical names. The recommendations for the use of suffixes are: (I) chemical suffixes have to be in parentheses, except for extra-framework cations; (II) a maximum of three chemical suffixes is allowed; (III) cations and anions should never be used together in the parentheses. For the use of prefixes, the following guidelines were adopted: (I) for common names, prefix-type nomenclature is preferred to facilitate the pronunciation; (II) an unnecessary proliferation of prefixes must be avoided, and a maximum of three chemical prefixes is recommended; (III) it is allowed to use a combination of chemical, structural or other descriptive prefixes; (IV) when Levinson modifiers are used as suffix for REE, then other cations or anions have to be placed as a prefix; (V) in case of polytypes and topologically similar polymorphs, a chemical prefix-type nomenclature is preferred, since the polytype and polymorph symbols have to be suffixes. When possible, the CNMNC recommends to avoid changing names, especially for grandfathered species. Well-established mineral names or names dedicated to localities or persons have to be preserved, except if the species is shown to be not valid. Historical names cannot be changed in order to standardize the nomenclature of a group or supergroup, since mixed nomenclature systems are now accepted by the CNMNC.

Nordgauite, MnAl2(PO4)2(F,OH)2·5H2O, is a new secondary phosphate from the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Bavaria, Germany. It occurs as white to off-white compact waxy nodules and soft fibrous aggregates a few millimetres across in altered zwieselite—triplite. Individual crystals are tabular prismatic, up to 200 μ long and 10 μ wide. Associated minerals include fluorapatite, sphalerite, uraninite, a columbite—tantalite phase, metastrengite, several unnamed members of the whiteite—jahnsite family, and a new analogue of kingsmountite. The fine-grained nature of nordgauite meant that only limited physical and optical properties could be obtained; streak is white; fracture, cleavage and twinning cannot be discerned. Dmeas. and Dcaic. are 2.35 and 2.46 g cm–3, respectively; the average RI is n = 1.57; the Gladstone-Dale compatibility is —0.050 (good). Electron microprobe analysis gives (wt.%): CaO 0.96. MgO 0.12, MnO 14.29, FeO 0.60, ZnO 0.24, A12O3 22.84, P2O5 31.62, F 5.13 and H2O 22.86 (by CHNX less F=O 2.16, total 96.50. The corresponding empirical formula is (Mn0.90Ca0.08Fe0.04Zn0.01Mg0.01)-Σi.04Ai2.0i(PO4)2[F1.21,(OH)0.90]Σ2.11·5.25H2O. Nordgauite is triclinic, space group P1̄, with the unit-cell parameters: a = 9.920(4), b = 9.933(3), c = 6.087(2) Å, α = 92.19(3), β = 100.04(3), γ = 97.61(3)°, V = 584.2(9) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest lines in the XRD powder pattern are [d in Å (I) (hkl)] 9.806 (100)(010), 7.432 (40)(l1̄0), 4.119 (20)(210), 2.951 (16)(031), 4.596 (12)(21̄O), 3.225 (12)(220) and 3.215 (12)(121). The structure of nordgauite was solved using synchrotron XRD data collected on a 60 μm × 3 μm × 4 μm needle and refined to R1 = 0.0427 for 2374 observed reflections with F > 4σ(F). Although nordgauite shows stoichiometric similarities to mangangordonite and kastningite, its structure is more closely related to those of vauxite and montgomeryite in containing zig-zag strings of corner-connected Al-centred octahedra along [011], where the shared corners are alternately in cis and trans configuration. These chains link through corner-sharing with PO4 tetrahedra along [001] to form (100) slabs that are interconnected via edge-shared dimers of MnO6 polyhedra and other PO4 tetrahedra.

Munakataite, Pb2Cu2(Se4+O3)(SO4)(OH)4, has been found in association with a variety of rare secondary Te minerals at Otto Mountain, San Bernardino County, California, USA. It is very rare and occurs as subparallel bundles of blue needles up to 1 mm long. Electron microprobe analyses provided the empirical formula Pb1.96Cu1.60[(Se0.894+S0.11)∑1O3](SO4)[(OH)3.34(H2O)0.66]∑4- Munakataite is mono-clinic, space group P21/m, with cell parameters a = 9.8023(26), b = 5.6751(14), c = 9.2811(25) Å, β = 102.443(6), V = 504.2(2) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure, solved by direct methods and refined to R1 = 0.0308 for 544 Fo > 4σF reflections, consists of Jahn-Teller-distorted Cu2+O6 square bipyramids. which form chains along b by sharing trans edges across their square planes. The chains are decorated by SO4 tetrahedra and Se4+O3 pyramids, which bond to apical corners of adjacent bipyramids. The chains are linked to one another via bonds to two different PbO9 polyhedra, only one of which exhibits one-sided coordination typical of Pb2+ with a stereochemically active 6s2 lone-electron-pair. Munakataite is isostructural with schmiederite and the structure is closely related to that of linarite.

Telluroperite, Pb_3Te^(4+)O_4Cl_2, is a new tellurite from Otto Mountain near Baker, California. The new mineral occurs on fracture surfaces and in small vugs in brecciated quartz veins in direct association with acanthite, bromine-rich chlorargyrite, caledonite, cerussite, galena, goethite, and linarite. Various other secondary minerals occur in the veins, including six new tellurates, housleyite, markcooperite, paratimroseite, ottoite, thorneite, and timroseite. Telluroperite is orthorhombic, space group Bmmb, a = 5.5649(6), b = 5.5565(6), c = 12.4750(14) A, V = 386.37(7) A^3, and Z = 2. The new mineral occurs as rounded square tablets and flakes up to 0.25 mm on edge and 0.02 mm thick. The form {001} is prominent and is probably bounded by {100}, {010}, and {110}. It is bluish-green and transparent, with a pale bluish-green streak and adamantine luster. The mineral is non-fluorescent. Mohs hardness is estimated to be between 2 and 3. The mineral is brittle, with a curved fracture and perfect {001} cleavage. The calculated density based on the empirical formula is 7.323 g/cm^3. Telluroperite is biaxial (–), with very small 2V (~10°). The average index of refraction is 2.219 calculated by the Gladstone-Dale relationship. The optical orientation is X = c and the mineral exhibits moderate bluish-green pleochrosim; absorption: X < Y = Z. Electron microprobe analysis provided PbO 72.70, TeO_2 19.26, Cl 9.44, O≡Cl –2.31, total 99.27 wt%. The empirical formula (based on O+Cl = 6) is Pb_(2.79)Te_(1.03)^(4+)O_(3.72)Cl_(2.28). The six strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [d_(obs) in A (hkl) I]: 3.750 (111) 58, 2.857 (113) 100, 2.781 (020, 200) 43, 2.075 (024, 204) 31, 1.966 (220) 30, and 1.620 (117, 313, 133) 52. The crystal structure (R_1 = 0.056) is based on the Sillen X_1 structure-type and consists of a three-dimensional structural topology with lead-oxide halide polyhedra linked to tellurium/lead oxide groups. The mineral is named for the relationship to perite and the dominance of Te (with Pb) in the Bi site of perite.

Timroseite, Pb_2Cu_5^(2+)(Te^(6+)O_6)_2(OH)_2, and paratimroseite, Pb_2Cu_4^(2+)(Te^(6+)O_6)_2(H_2O)_2, are two new tellurates from Otto Mountain near Baker, California. Timroseite is named in honor of Timothy (Tim) P. Rose and paratimroseite is named for its relationship to timroseite. Both new minerals occur on fracture surfaces and in small vugs in brecciated quartz veins. Timroseite is directly associated with acanthite, cerussite, bromine-rich chlorargyrite, chrysocolla, gold, housleyite, iodargyrite, khinite-4O, markcooperite, ottoite, paratimroseite, thorneite, vauquelinite, and wulfenite. Paratimroseite is directly associated with calcite, cerussite, housleyite, khinite-4O, markcooperite, and timroseite. Timroseite is orthorhombic, space group P2_1nm, a = 5.2000(2), b = 9.6225(4), c = 11.5340(5) A, V = 577.13(4) A^3, and Z = 2. Paratimroseite is orthorhombic, space group P2_12_12_1, a = 5.1943(4), b = 9.6198(10), c = 11.6746(11) A, V = 583.35(9) A^3, and Z = 2. Timroseite commonly occurs as olive to lime green, irregular, rounded masses and rarely in crystals as dark olive green, equant rhombs, and diamond-shaped plates in subparallel sheaf-like aggregates. It has a very pale yellowish green streak, dull to adamantine luster, a hardness of about 2 1/2 (Mohs), brittle tenacity, irregular fracture, no cleavage, and a calculated density of 6.981 g/cm^3. Paratimroseite occurs as vibrant "neon" green blades typically intergrown in irregular clusters and as lime green botryoids. It has a very pale green streak, dull to adamantine luster, a hardness of about 3 (Mohs), brittle tenacity, irregular fracture, good {001} cleavage, and a calculated density of 6.556 g/cm^3. Timroseite is biaxial (+) with a large 2V, indices of refraction > 2, orientation X = b, Y = a, Z = c and pleochroism: X = greenish yellow, Y = yellowish green, Z = dark green (Z > Y > X). Paratimroseite is biaxial (–) with a large 2V, indices of refraction > 2, orientation X = c, Y = b, Z = a and pleochroism: X = light green, Y = green, Z = green (Y = Z >> X). Electron microprobe analysis of timroseite provided PbO 35.85, CuO 29.57, TeO_3 27.75, Cl 0.04, H_2O 1.38 (structure), O≡Cl –0.01, total 94.58 wt%; the empirical formula (based on O+Cl = 14) is Pb_(2.07) Cu^(2+)_(4.80)Te^(6+)_(2.04)O_(12)(OH)_(1.98)Cl_(0.02). Electron microprobe analysis of paratimroseite provided PbO 36.11, CuO 26.27, TeO_3 29.80, Cl 0.04, H_2O 3.01 (structure), O≡Cl –0.01, total 95.22 wt%; the empirical formula (based on O+Cl = 14) is Pb_(1.94)Cu^(2+)_(3.96)Te^(6+)_(2.03)O_(12)(H_2O)_(1.99)Cl_(0.01). The strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines for timroseite are [d_(obs) in A (hkl) I]: 3.693 (022) 43, 3.578 (112) 44, 3.008 (023) 84, 2.950 (113) 88, 2.732 (130) 100, 1.785 (multiple) 33, 1.475 (332) 36; and for paratimroseite 4.771 (101) 76, 4.463 (021) 32, 3.544 (120) 44, 3.029 (023,122) 100, 2.973 (113) 48, 2.665 (131) 41, 2.469 (114) 40, 2.246 (221) 34. The crystal structures of timroseite (R_1 = 0.029) and paratimroseite (R_1 = 0.039) are very closely related. The structures are based upon edge- and corner-sharing sheets of Te and Cu polyhedra parallel to (001) and the sheets in both structures are identical in topology and virtually identical in geometry. In timroseite, the sheets are joined to one another along c by sharing the apical O atoms of Cu octahedra, as well as by sharing edges and corners with an additional CuO_5 square pyramid located between the sheets. The sheets in paratimroseite are joined only via Pb-O and H bonds.

Ottoite, Pb_2TeO_5, is a new tellurate from Otto Mountain near Baker, California. Most of the mining on Otto Mountain occurred between 1940 and 1970 and is attributed to Otto Fuetterer, for whom the mountain is now named. The new mineral occurs on fracture surfaces and in small vugs in brecciated quartz veins, which intersect granitic rocks. Ottoite is directly associated with acanthite, bromine-rich chlorargyrite, gold, iodargyrite, khinite, wulfenite, and four other new tellurates: housleyite, markcooperite, thorneite, and timroseite. Various other secondary minerals occur in the veins, including two other new secondary tellurium minerals, paratimroseite and telluroperite. Ottoite and most other secondary minerals of the quartz veins are interpreted as having formed from the partial oxidation of primary sulfides and tellurides during or following brecciation of the veins. A later generation of quartz mineralization then recemented the breccias, effectively isolating and protecting the secondary mineralization from further alteration. Ottoite is monoclinic, space group I2/a, with the unit cell: a = 7.5353(6), b = 5.7142(5), c = 10.8981(12) Å, β = 91.330(6)°, V = 469.13(8) Å^3, and Z = 4. The mineral occurs as complex spear-shaped crystals in subparallel to divergent intergrowths. It is yellow and transparent to translucent, with a pale yellow streak and adamantine luster. Mohs hardness is estimated at 3. The mineral is brittle, with an irregular fracture and two cleavages in the [100] zone at ~90°—possibly on {010} and {001}. The calculated density is 8.721 g/cm^3. Ottoite is biaxial (–), with a large 2V, but indices of refraction are too high to be measured. The optic orientation could only partially be determined: Y ≈ a. No pleochroism was observed. Electron microprobe analyses provided the following averages: PbO 68.88 and TeO_3 28.03, total 96.95 wt%; the empirical formula (based on O = 5) is Pb_(1.96)Te_(1.01)^(6+)O_5. The strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [d_(obs) in Å (hkl) I]: 3.131 (202) 64, 3.055 (013) 90, 3.015 (211) 100, 2.112 (222) 29, 1.810 (006, 215) 21, 1.773 (411, 402) 43, 1.686 (033, 231) 20. The crystal structure (R_1 = 0.020) consists of straight chains of trans-corner-sharing Te^(6+)O_6 octahedra parallel to a, which are joined by bonds to Pb atoms. The Pb atom exhibit markedly lopsided 11-coordination, typical of Pb^(2+) with stereoactive 6s^2 lone-pair electrons. The powder X-ray diffraction pattern of ottoite is very similar to that reported for girdite. Examination of girdite type material suggests that its description was based upon data obtained from at least two and possibly three different phases, one of which may correspond to ottoite.

New discoveries of kuksite, Pb_3Zn_3Te^(6+)P_2O_(14), from the Black Pine mine, Montana, and Blue Bell claims, California, have enabled a detailed crystal-chemical study of the mineral to be undertaken. Single-crystal X-ray structure refinements of the structure indicate that it is isostructural with dugganite, Pb_3Zn_3Te^(6+)As_2O_(14), and joelbruggerite, Pb_3Zn_3(Sb^(5+),Te^(6+))As_2O_(13)(OH,O). Kuksite from the Black Pine mine crystallizes in space group P321, with unit-cell dimensions a = 8.392(1), c = 5.204(1) A, V = 317.39(8) A^3, and Z = 1 (R_1 = 2.91% for 588 reflections [F_o > 4σF] and 3.27% for all 624 reflections), while Blue Bell kuksite has the unit cell a = 8.3942(5), c = 5.1847(4) A, and V = 316.38(4) A^3 (R_1 = 3.33% for 443 reflections [F_o > 4σF] and 3.73% for all 483 reflections). Chemical analyses indicate that solid-solution series exist between kuksite, dugganite, and joelbruggerite. Raman spectroscopic and powder X-ray diffraction data are also presented for samples from both occurrences. The crystal structure of the chemically related species yafsoanite, (Ca,Pb)_3Te_2^(6+)Zn_3O_(12), from the type locality (Delbe orebody, Kuranakh Au Deposit, Aldan Shield, Saha Republic, Russia), has been refined to R_1 = 2.41% for 135 reflections [F_o > 4σF] and 3.68% for all 193 reflections. A garnet-type structure has been confirmed and significantly improves upon the results of an earlier structure determination.

A simplified definition of a mineral group is given on the basis of structural and compositional aspects. Then a hier- archical scheme for group nomenclature and mineral classification is introduced and applied to recent nomenclature proposals. A new procedure has been put in place in order to facilitate the future proposal and naming of new mineral groups within the IMA-CNMNC framework.

International audience; The crystal structure of a segnitite-related mineral with composition Pb[Zn0.50.5]Fe3(AsO4)2(OH)6,  = vacancy, from Broken Hill, Australia, has been determined using single-crystal X-ray data. The mineral has monoclinic symmetry, space group C2/c, with a 25.8898(6), b 14.8753(2), c 12.1700(2) Å, b 110.681(1)°, Z = 16. All crystals examined were found to be multiply twinned by 120° rotations about c*, which corresponds with ch of the hexagonal alunite-type subcell. The structure was determined on a twinned crystal with one dominant individual, and refined to R = 0.055 for 4089 reflections with F > 4sF. The general features of the monoclinic structure match those of the prototype rhombohedral alunite-type structure. This involves a rhombohedral stacking of hexagonal tungsten-bronze-type sheets of corner-connected octahedra that share their apical anions with AsO4 tetrahedra on either side of the layer of octahedra, with Pb atoms located between the layers. However, the structure differs from those of other alunite-type minerals in having zinc atoms ordered in trigonal bipyramidal sites in half of the available six-membered rings of the layers of octahedra. These sites are unoccupied in previously reported alunite-type structures. Ordered displacements of the Pb atoms occur in response to the Zn– ordering.