Search

New guidelines for the nomenclature of polymorphs and polysomes have been approved by the the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA–CNMNC). Several cases can be distinguished. (i) Polymorphs with different crystal systems are distinguished by the prefixes cubo- (cubic), hexa- (hexagonal), tetra- (tetragonal), trigo- (trigonal), ortho- (orthorhombic), clino- (monoclinic) and anortho- (triclinic). (ii) Polymorphs with different crystal systems but showing a pseudosymmetry should show the prefix ‘pseudo-’. (iii) Polymorphs with the same crystal system but different space groups are distinguished by the prefix ‘para-’. If three or more polymorphs show the same crystal system but different space groups, the space group notation may be added as a suffix, though such a nomenclature should be avoided if possible. (iv) Polymorphs with the same space group are distinguished by the prefix ‘para-’. (v) Minerals with polymorph suffixes but with different chemical compositions cannot be considered as true polymorphs, so we recommend using the prefix ‘meta-’, which indicates a close but significantly different chemical composition. (vi) Polysomatic symbols should be placed as a suffix, which indicates the number and types of modules that alternate in the structure, such as in the högbomite supergroup, or as prefixes as in the sartorite homologous series. These recommendations have to be applied for future new mineral proposals, when the authors decide to use structural prefixes or suffixes, however modifications of historical and well-established names have to pass through the CNMNC for approval. In order to be consistent with the new guidelines, 25 mineral names are now modified: domeykite-β becomes trigodomeykite; fergusonite-(Y)-β becomes clinofergusonite-(Y); fergusonite-(Ce)-β becomes clinofergusonite-(Ce); fergusonite-(Nd)-β becomes clinofergusonite-(Nd); ice-VII becomes cubo-ice; roselite-β becomes anorthoroselite; sulphur-β becomes clinosulphur; mertieite-II becomes mertieite; mertieite-I becomes pseudomertieite; uranophane-α becomes uranophane; uranophane-β becomes parauranophane; gersdorffite-P213 becomes gersdorffite; gersdorffite-Pa3 becomes paragersdorffite; gersdorffite-Pca21 becomes orthogersdorffite; betalomonosovite becomes paralomonosovite; lammerite-β becomes paralammerite; nováčekite-I becomes hydronováčekite; nováčekite-II becomes nováčekite; halloysite-7Å becomes halloysite; halloysite-10Å becomes hydrohalloysite; metauranocircite-I becomes metauranocircite; taimyrite-I becomes taimyrite; uranocircite-II becomes uranocircite; andorite IV becomes quatrandorite; and andorite VI becomes senandorite.

The 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.

Tomiolloite (IMA2021-019) is a new aluminum tellurite sulfite-sulfate mineral discovered at the Bambolla mine, Moctezuma, Sonora, Mexico, a well-known tellurium (Te) mineral locality. Tomiolloite forms roughly spherical clusters of crystals comprised of very thin, needle-like crystals (1 μm diameter, ~40 μm length) around a core of small, stubbier, broken crystals. Tomiolloite is generally found growing on tellurite or quartz. The strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å (Iobs) (hkl)]: 11.667 (89) (100), 8.240 (38) (101), 4.107 (29) (202,211,121), 3.223 (100) (203,302,130), and 2.905 (37) (213,123,222,400). The empirical formula of tomiolloite, as determined by electron microprobe analysis, is (Al10.64Te1.016+Fe0.313+Zn0.04)Σ12(Te5.004+Pb0.02)Σ5.02(S0.494+S0.496+Si0.02)Σ1.00O21.53[(OH)20.86Cl0.11]Σ20.97, which is simplified to the ideal formula Al12(Te4+O3)5[(SO3)0.5(SO4)0.5](OH)24. Significant Te6+ substitution for Al3+ is observed in tomiolloite, verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and crystal-structure analysis. The structure of tomiolloite was determined using synchrotron single-crystal X-ray diffraction, showing that tomiolloite is hexagonal and crystallizes in the space-group P63/m, with the unit-cell parameters a = 13.3360(19) Å, c = 11.604(2) Å, V = 1787.3(6) Å3, and Z = 2. Tomiolloite has a unique microporous framework structure, which bears a slight similarity to that of zemannite, but it has a much larger cavity diameter (8.85 Å). The framework is built from edge-sharing Mφ6 octahedra (M = Al3+ and Te6+), Te4+O3 trigonal pyramids, and Te4+O4 disphenoids. Mφ6 octahedra edge-share to form crankshaft-shaped chains along c, with Te4+On polyhedra filling notches in the crankshafts and providing linkages between adjacent chains. The framework has an overall positive charge, which is balanced by the presence of both sulfite (SO32−) trigonal pyramids and sulfate (SO42−) tetrahedra in the channels.

Matthiasweilite (IMA2021-069), Pb2+Te4+O3, is a new mineral discovered at the Delamar mine, Lincoln County, Nevada, USA. It is a secondary mineral, associated with adanite, choloalite, northstarite, and other oxysalts in a quartz-rich matrix, that developed in an altered primary ore along with altaite, tetrahedrite-(Zn), native gold, and other sulfides and selenides. The mineral occurs as tightly intergrown masses of light yellow crystals. The streak is white, luster is adamantine, Mohs hardness is 2½, tenacity is brittle, and fracture is conchoidal; no obvious cleavage is present. The calculated density is 7.282 g/cm3 for the empirical formula. Data from electron probe microanalysis and assuming O = 3 gives the empirical formula Pb0.99Te4+1.01O3. Matthiasweilite is triclinic, space group P, with cell parameters a = 7.0256(4), b = 10.6345(6), c = 11.9965(8) Å, α = 78.513(6), β = 83.104(6), γ = 84.083(6)°, V = 869.10(9) Å3, and Z = 10. The crystal structure (R1 = 0.0523 for 3416 I > 2σI reflections) consists of Te4+O3 trigonal pyramids that are linked via relatively short (

The new mineral tombstoneite (IMA2021-053), (Ca0.5Pb0.5)Pb3Cu2+6Te6+2O6(Te4+O3)6(Se4+O3)2(SO4)2⋅3H2O, occurs at the Grand Central mine in the Tombstone district, Cochise County, Arizona, USA, in cavities in quartz matrix in association with jarosite and rodalquilarite. Tombstoneite crystals are green pseudohexagonal tablets, up to 100 μm across and 20 μm thick. The mineral has a pale green streak and adamantine lustre. It is brittle with irregular fracture and a Mohs hardness of ~2½. It has one perfect cleavage on {001}. The calculated density is 5.680 g cm–3. Optically, the mineral is uniaxial (–) and exhibits pleochroism: O = green, E = light yellow green; O > E. The Raman spectrum exhibits bands consistent with Te6+O6, Te4+O3, Se4+O3 and SO4. Electron microprobe analysis provided the empirical formula (Ca0.51Pb0.49)Σ1.00Pb3.00Cu2+5.85Te6+2.00O6(Te4+1.00O3)6(Se4+0.69Te4+0.24S0.07O3)2(S1.00O4)2⋅3H2O. Tombstoneite is trigonal, P321, a = 9.1377(9), c = 12.2797(9) Å, V = 887.96(18) Å3 and Z = 1. The structure of tombstoneite (R1 = 0.0432 for 1205 I > 2σI) contains thick heteropolyhedral layers comprising Te6+O6 octahedra, Jahn-Teller distorted Cu2+O5 pyramids, Te4+O3 pyramids and Se4+O3 pyramids. Pb2+ cations without stereoactive 6s2 lone-pair electrons are hosted in pockets in the heteropolyhedral layer. Pb2+ cations, possibly with stereoactive 6s2 lone-pair electrons, are located in the interlayer region along with SO4 tetrahedra and H2O groups. Within the heteropolyhedral layer, the Te6+O6 octahedra and the Te4+O3 pyramids form finite Te6+O3(Te4+O3)3 clusters with a pinwheel-like configuration. This is the first known finite complex including both Te4+ and Te6+ polyhedra in any natural or synthetic tellurium oxysalt structure.

The new mineral flaggite (IMA2021-044), Pb4Cu2+4Te6+2(SO4)2O11(OH)2(H2O), occurs at the Grand Central mine in the Tombstone district, Cochise County, Arizona, USA, in cavities in quartz matrix in association with alunite, backite, cerussite, jarosite and rodalquilarite. Flaggite crystals are lime-green to yellow-green tablets, up to 0.5 mm across. The mineral has a very pale green streak and adamantine lustre. It is brittle with irregular fracture and a Mohs hardness of ~3. It has one excellent cleavage on {010}. The calculated density is 6.137 g cm–3. Optically, the mineral is biaxial (+) with α = 1.95(1), β = 1.96(1), γ = 2.00(1) (white light); 2V = 54(2)°; pleochroism:Xgreen,Ylight yellow green,Znearly colourless;X>Y>Z. The Raman spectrum exhibits bands consistent with TeO6and SO4. Electron microprobe analysis provided the empirical formula Pb3.88Cu2+3.89Te6+2.08(SO4)2O11(OH)2(H2O) (–0.03 H). Flaggite is triclinic,P1,a= 9.5610(2),b= 9.9755(2),c= 10.4449(3) Å, α = 74.884(1), β = 89.994(1), γ = 78.219(1)°,V= 939.97(4) Å3andZ= 2. The structure of flaggite (R1= 0.0342 for 5936I> 2σI) contains hexagonal-close-packed, stair-step-like layers comprising TeO6octahedra and Jahn-Teller distorted CuO6octahedra. The layers in the structure of flaggite are very similar to those in bairdite, timroseite and paratimroseite.

A reinvestigation of the type angastonite specimen from the Penrice marble quarry, South Australia, shows that the published powder X-ray diffraction pattern for the mineral corresponds to a mixture of crystalline phases plus an amorphous phase. The published formula for the mineral, CaMgAl2(PO4)2(OH)4⋅7H2O, has been found to correspond to the amorphous phase. A proposal for the redefinition of angastonite as an amorphous phase has been approved by the IMA CNMNC. Amorphous angastonite is isotropic with an index of refraction in the range 1.33 to 1.40 and a measured density of 1.57(2) g cm−3. It is formed from incongruent leaching of minyulite in circulating Mg- and Ca-bearing solutions. The amorphous phase undergoes local recrystallisation to form penriceite and two other new crandallite-derivative layer phases. A cluster model for the local structure in the amorphous mineral is proposed based on crandallite-type segments. A brief review of amorphous minerals is given.

A nomenclature and classification scheme for wöhlerite-group minerals has been established. The general formula of minerals belonging to this group is given by X8(Si2O7)2W4, where X = Na+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Ti4+, Zr4+ and Nb5+; and W = F– and O2–. In addition, they may incorporate significant amounts of Mg2+, Fe2+, Y3+ and REE3+, where REE are the lanthanides. The main structural feature of these minerals is the four-columns-wide octahedral walls, which are interconnected through corner sharing and via the disilicate groups. The wöhlerite-group minerals crystallise in different unit-cell settings and symmetries, depending on the cationic ordering in the octahedral walls and the relative position of the disilicate groups. Different combinations of X and W constituents should be regarded as separate mineral species. In the case of coupled heterovalent substitutions at different crystallographic sites, it is advised to use the site-total charge approach to determine the correct end-member composition. Due to their structural and chemical features, wöhlerite-group minerals can easily form crystals with several micro domains, showing different crystal structures and chemical compositions. In addition, the crystallisation of polytypes is relatively common, although they should not be regarded as distinct mineral species. To date, ten minerals belonging to the wöhlerite group are considered as valid species: baghdadite, burpalite, cuspidine, hiortdahlite, janhaugite, låvenite, moxuanxueite, niocalite, normandite and wöhlerite. Låvenite and normandite are isostructural and are respectively the Zr and Ti end-members of a solid-solution series. Marianoite is discredited, as it is corresponds to wöhlerite. The ideal formula of hiortdahlite is revised as Na2Ca4(Ca0.5Zr0.5)Zr(Si2O7)2OF3, with one cationic site characterised by a valency-imposed double site-occupancy. These changes have been approved by the IMA–CNMNC (Proposal 20–D).

Synthetic and naturally occurring forms of tricopper orthotellurate, CuII 3TeVIO6 (the mineral mcalpineite) have been investigated by 3D electron diffraction (3D ED), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Raman and infrared (IR) spectroscopic measurements. As a result of the diffraction analyses, CuII 3TeVIO6 is shown to occur in two polytypes. The higher-symmetric CuII 3TeVIO6-1C polytype is cubic, space group Ia 3, with a = 9.537 (1) Å and V = 867.4 (3) Å3 as reported in previous studies. The 1C polytype is a well characterized structure consisting of alternating layers of CuIIO6 octahedra and both CuIIO6 and TeVIO6 octahedra in a patchwork arrangement. The structure of the lower-symmetric orthorhombic CuII 3TeVIO6-2O polytype was determined for the first time in this study by 3D ED and verified by Rietveld refinement. The 2O polytype crystallizes in space group Pcca, with a = 9.745 (3) Å, b = 9.749 (2) Å, c = 9.771 (2) Å and V = 928.3 (4) Å3. High-precision XRPD data were also collected on CuII 3TeVIO6-2O to verify the lower-symmetric structure by performing a Rietveld refinement. The resultant structure is identical to that determined by 3D ED, with unit-cell parameters a = 9.56157 (19) Å, b = 9.55853 (11) Å, c = 9.62891 (15) Å and V = 880.03 (2) Å3. The lower symmetry of the 2O polytype is a consequence of a different cation ordering arrangement, which involves the movement of every second CuIIO6 and TeVIO6 octahedral layer by (1/4, 1/4, 0), leading to an offset of TeVIO6 and CuIIO6 octahedra in every second layer giving an ABAB* stacking arrangement. Syntheses of CuII 3TeVIO6 showed that low-temperature (473 K) hydrothermal conditions generally produce the 2O polytype. XRPD measurements in combination with Raman spectroscopic analysis showed that most natural mcalpineite is the orthorhombic 2O polytype. Both XRPD and Raman spectroscopy measurements may be used to differentiate between the two polytypes of CuII 3TeVIO6. In Raman spectroscopy, CuII 3TeVIO6-1C has a single strong band around 730 cm−1, whereas CuII 3TeVIO6-2O shows a broad double maximum with bands centred around 692 and 742 cm−1.

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.

Wildcatite (IMA2020–019) is a new calcium–iron(III) tellurate discovered at the Wildcat prospect in the Detroit district, Juab County, Utah. Wildcatite may take on a variety of appearances, ranging from transparent orange to brown coatings or masses to earthy, white polycrystalline coatings filling jasperoid fracture surfaces. Coatings of wildcatite are generally less than 0.1 mm thick and may cover up to 5 cm2, while nanoscale crystallites of wildcatite may form translucent red-brown “crystals” up to 0.1 mm. Wildcatite is found associated with gold, calcite, aragonite, native tellurium, manganese oxides, iron oxides, rare clinobisvanite, beyerite, coronadite, the Te oxides paratellurite and tellurite, and the Te oxysalts andymcdonaldite, burckhardtite, carlfriesite, eckhardite, frankhawthorneite, khinite, mcalpineite, tlapallite, and xocolatlite. The strongest powder diffraction lines are [dobsÅ(Iobs)(hkl)]: 3.33(100)(011), 2.60(55)(110), 2.30(59)(111), 2.05(33)(021), and 1.80(88)(112). The average size of wildcatite crystallites is 13 nm, thus the crystal structure of wildcatite was solved by Rietveld refinement, converging to a final RB value of 3.14%. The empirical formula of wildcatite, as determined by electron probe microanalysis and Rietveld refinement, is Ca0.98Bi3+0.02Pb0.01Fe3+0.73Mg0.05Mn2+0.02Zn0.01Cu0.00Te6+1.15Sb5+0.02Si0.01O5.44H0.56, simplified to the ideal formula of CaFe3+Te6+O5(OH). Wildcatite is trigonal, crystallizing in the space group P1m, with a = 5.2003(14) Å, c = 4.9669(14) Å, V = 116.3(1) Å3 and Z = 1. Wildcatite is structurally very similar to rosiaite (PbSb2O6), possessing a honeycomb-like two-dimensional framework of edge-sharing Fe3+O6 and Te6+O6 octahedra, sandwiching octahedrally coordinated Ca2+ cations. Minor OH substitution (∼10%) at the O sites is required for charge balance in wildcatite.

Utahite was first described in 1997 based mainly on powder X-ray diffraction data and electron microprobe data. No crystal structure was reported. The re-examination of utahite using single-crystal X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis has shown that utahite contains essential Mg, along with Cu, Zn, Te, O and H. The missing MgO was originally attributed to additional H2O. The redefinition of utahite to MgCu2+4Zn2Te6+3O14(OH)4·6H2O from Cu2+5Zn3(Te6+O4)4(OH)8·7H2O has been accepted by the IMA–CNMNC, Proposal 20-C. Utahite is triclinic, crystallising in P $$\overline{1}$$ with the unit-cell parameters a = 5.6831(4) A, b = 8.7793(6) A, c = 9.9818(9) A, α = 95.415(7)°, β = 104.129(7)°, γ = 90.098(6)° and V = 480.65(7) A3, in good agreement with the original study. Utahite features a new framework arrangement of Cuφ6 octahedra, Znφ4 tetrahedra and Teφ6 octahedra (where φ = O or OH), with Mg(H2O)6 octahedra occupying the channel space. Two-thirds of the Te sites form Te6 + 2O10 dimers and one third form [Te6+O4(OH)2]4− octahedra, spatially separated from other Te6+ sites. Although unique, the structural framework of utahite is similar to that of leisingite, with both minerals having layers composed of Cuφ6 and Teφ6 octahedra with Mg(H2O)6 octahedra in the interlayer space; however leisingite does not contain Zn. New Raman spectroscopic data is also reported for utahite.

Ontologydeals with questions concerning what things exist, and how such things may be associated according to similarities and differences and related within a hierarchy. Ontology provides a rigorous way to develop a general definition of a mineral species. Properties may be divided into two principal groups: anintrinsic propertyis characteristic of the object and is independent of anything else; anextrinsic propertydepends on the relation between the object and other things. Auniversalis an entity that is common to all objects in a set. Here the objects are mineral samples, each entity is a specific property of these minerals, and the set of objects is all mineral samples of that mineral species. The key intrinsic properties of a mineral species are its name, its end-member formula andZ(the number of formula units in the unit cell), its space group and the bond topology of the end-member structure. These are also universals as they are common to all mineral samples belonging to that mineral species. An archetype is a pure form which embodies the fundamental characteristics of an object. Thus the archetype of a mineral species embodies the above set of universals. Real mineral samples of this mineral species are imperfect copies of that archetype, with a range of chemical composition defined by the boundaries between end-member formulae of this and other end members of the same bond topology. The result is a formal definition of a mineral species: A specific mineral species is the set of imperfect copies of the corresponding archetype and is defined by the following set of universals: name, end-member formula andZ, space group, and bond topology of the end-member structure, with the range of chemical composition limited by the compositional boundaries between end members with the same bond topology.

Keystoneite (IMA87–049) is a tellurite mineral from the Keystone mine, Magnolia District, Boulder County, Colorado, USA. In this paper the first full description of keystoneite is presented. Keystoneite is the Ni2+ analogue of zemannite and has the ideal zemannite-like formula of Mg0.5Ni2+Fe3+(Te4+O3)3·4H2O. The chemical composition via electron-probe micro-analysis (in wt.%; standard deviations in brackets) is Na2O 0.3 (0.2), K2O 0.1 (0.0), MgO 4.3 (0.3), Mn2O3 1.1 (0.7), Fe2O3 5.1 (1.2), NiO 12.7 (1.7), and TeO2 65.5 (0.7). H2O was determined by TGA analysis, giving 15(3) wt.% H2O, however, H2O from the structural determination gave 10.0 wt.%, the latter giving an analytical total of 99.1 wt.%. Keystoneite crystallizes in the non-centrosymmetric space group P63. The six strongest observed powder-diffraction lines [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are 8.12(90)(100), 4.05(80)(200), 2.952(50)(112), 2.838(50)(121,211), 2.774(100)(202), and 1.720(60)(204). The unit-cell parameters determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction are a = 9.3667(5) Å, c = 7.6173(3) Å, V = 578.77(6) Å3, and Z = 2. Keystoneite was first identified from a specimen of “ferrotellurite”, a mineral with the reported formula Fe2+Te6+O4. The discreditation of “ferrotellurite” has been accepted by the IMA-CNMNC, Proposal 19-G, as no material corresponding to a phase remotely similar to Fe2+Te6+O4 was found on any historical samples labelled as containing “ferrotellurite”.

The crystal structure of montanite has been determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction on a synthetic sample, supported by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), electron microprobe analysis (EPMA) and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Montanite was first described in 1868 as Bi2TeO6·nH2O (n = 1 or 2). The determination of the crystal structure of synthetic montanite (refined composition Bi2TeO6·0.22H2O) has led to the reassignment of the formula to Bi2TeO6·nH2O where 0 ≤ n ≤ $${\raise0.5ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 2$} \kern-0.1em/\kern-0.15em \lower0.25ex\hbox{$\scriptstyle 3$}}$$ 2 / 3 rather than the commonly reported Bi2TeO6·2H2O. This change has been accepted by the IMA–CNMNC, Proposal 22-A. The PXRD pattern simulated from the crystal structure of synthetic montanite is a satisfactory match for PXRD scans collected on both historical and recent natural samples, showing their equivalence. Two specimens attributed to the original discoverer of montanite (Frederick A. Genth) from the cotype localities (Highland Mining District, Montana and David Beck’s mine, North Carolina, USA) have been designated as neotypes. Montanite crystallises in space group P$$\overline{6 }$$ 6 ¯ , with the unit-cell parameters a = 9.1195(14) Å, c = 5.5694(8) Å, V = 401.13(14) Å3, and three formula units in the unit cell. The crystal structure of montanite is formed from a framework of BiOn and TeO6 polyhedra. Half of the Bi3+ and all of the Te6+ cations are coordinated by six oxygen atoms in trigonal-prismatic arrangements (the first example of this configuration reported for Te6+), while the remaining Bi3+ cations are coordinated by seven O sites. The H2O groups in montanite are structurally incorporated into the network of cavities formed by the three-dimensional framework, with other cavity space occupied by the stereoactive 6s2 lone pair of Bi3+ cations. While evidence for a supercell was observed in synthetic montanite, the subcell refinement of montanite adequately indexes all reflections in the PXRD patterns observed in all natural montanite samples analysed in this study, verifying the identity of montanite as a mineral.

For four decades fairbankite was reported to have the formula Pb2+(Te4+O3), but repeated attempts to isolate fairbankite crystals for structural determination found only the visually similar cerussite and, more rarely, anglesite. The crystal-structure determination of fairbankite using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, supported by electron microprobe analysis and X-ray powder diffraction on the type specimen, has shown that fairbankite contains essential S, along with Pb, Te, and O. The chemical formula of fairbankite has been revised to Pb122+(Te4+O3)11(SO4). This change has been accepted by the IMA–CNMNC, Proposal 19-I. The crystal structure of fairbankite [space group P1 (no. 1); revised cell: a = 7.0205(3) Å, b = 10.6828(6) Å, c = 14.4916(8) Å, a = 75.161(5)°, b = 81.571(4)°, g = 83.744(4)°, V = 1036.35(9) Å3, and Z = 1] is the first atomic arrangement known to contain a Te34+O96− non-cyclic, finite building unit. Fairbankite has an average structure, formed from a 3D framework of Pb2+On polyhedra, Te4+On polyhedra, and SO4 tetrahedra in a 12:11:1 ratio. The stereoactive lone pairs of the Pb2+ and Te4+ cations are oriented into void space within the structure. Fairbankite contains two mixed sites statistically occupied by Te4+ and S6+ in approximately 4:1 and 1:4 ratios. These two sites possess Te4+ in trigonal-pyramidal environment and S6+ in tetrahedral environment (with an additional O site to create tetrahedral SO4 shape for the S-dominant site). Six of the 10 fully occupied Te4+ sites have Te4+ in trigonal-pyramidal environment, while four have Te4+ at the center of highly distorted Te4+O4 disphenoids. The disphenoids allow for the creation of two dimeric Te24+O64− units in addition to the Te34+O96− trimeric unit, which contains two disphenoids. All linkage between disphenoids and trigonal pyramids is via corner-linking. Secondary connectivity is via long Te–O and Pb–O bonds.

Native tungsten (IMA2011-004), W, is officially described as a new mineral from gold placers in the Bol'shaya Pol'ya river valley, Prepolar Urals, Russia, associated with yttriaite-(Y) and from quartz veins in the Mt Neroyka rock-crystal field, Ust–Puiva, Tyumenskaya Oblast', Russia. Tungsten forms polycrystalline grains and masses, and rarely cubo-octahedra. It is silver white to steel grey in colour, with metallic lustre and grey streak. The calculated density is 19.226 g/cm3. The Vickers hardness (VHN25) is 571.45 kg/mm2. In plane polarised light, tungsten is white with a pale-yellow tint and optically isotropic. Electron microprobe analyses of Bol'shaya Pol'ya river valley material provided W 99.27, Mo 0.06, Mn 0.04, Fe 0.01, total 99.38 wt.%. The five strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 2.2422(100)(110), 1.5835(25)(200), 1.2929(48)(211), 1.0010(23)(310) and 0.8457(24)(321). Tungsten is cubic, Im$\bar{3}$m, a = 3.1648(4) Å, V = 31.69(4) Å3 and Z = 2. Some additional occurrences of native tungsten and technogenic tungsten found in Nature are also described.

The classification and nomenclature of mineral species is regulated by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (IMACNMNC). This mineral species classification is necessary for Earth Sciences, as minerals constitute most planetary and interstellar materials. Hazen (2019) has proposed a classification of minerals and other Earth and planetary materials according to “natural clustering.” Although this classification is complementary to the IMA-CNMNC mineral classification and is described as such, there are some unjustified criticisms and factual errors in the comparison of the two schemes. It is the intent of the present comment to (1) clarify the use of classification schemes for Earth and planetary materials, and (2) counter erroneous criticisms or statements about the current IMA-CNMNC system of approving proposals for new mineral species and classifications.

Galeaclolusite, [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4]⋅8H2O, is a new secondary hydrated aluminium arsenate mineral from Cap Garonne, Var, France. It forms crusts and spheroids of white fibres up to 50 μm long by 0.4 μm wide and only 0.1 μm thick. The fibres are elongated along [001] and flattened on (100). The calculated density is 2.27 g⋅cm–3. Optically, galeaclolusite is biaxial with α = 1.550(5), β not determined, γ = 1.570(5) (white light) and partial orientation: Z = c (fibre axis). Electron microprobe analyses coupled with crystal structure refinement results gives an empirical formula based on 33 O atoms of Al5.72Si0.08As2.88O33H34.12. Galeaclolusite is orthorhombic, Pnma, with a = 19.855(4), b = 17.6933(11), c = 7.7799(5) Å, V = 2733.0(7) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure of galeaclolusite was established from its close relationship to bulachite and refined using synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction data. It is based on heteropolyhedral layers, parallel to (100), of composition Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4 and with H-bonded H2O between the layers. The layers contain [001] spiral chains of edge-shared octahedra, decorated with corner-connected AsO4 tetrahedra, that are the same as in the mineral liskeardite.

Müllerite (IMA2019–060) is a new mineral found at several workings on Otto Mountain, 2.5 km NW of Baker, San Bernardino County, California, USA. Müllerite occurs as hexagonal tablets and thin plates up to 0.2 mm across, intergrown ball-like clusters, and scattered flakes. Crystals are yellow, tending to reddish-orange, and have a pale-yellow streak and subadamantine to greasy luster. Crystals are brittle with an irregular fracture and have a hardness of ∼2 and perfect cleavage on {001}. The main forms observed are {100} and {001}. The calculated density is 5.812 g/cm3. The empirical formula (based on 7 O + Cl + I apfu) is Pb1.83Ag0.26Fe0.93Al0.03Cu0.02Te6+0.95O5.56Cl1.30I0.14; the endmember formula is Pb2Fe3+(Te6+O6)Cl. Müllerite is trigonal, space group P312, with the unit cell parameters a = 5.2040(5), c = 8.9654(12) Å, V = 210.23(3) Å3, and Z = 1. The crystal structure of müllerite was refined using Rietveld analysis and converged to Rwp = 4.861%, S = 0.1873, RB = 1.800%, and RF = 0.691%. Müllerite is the Fe-analogue of backite, Pb2Al3+(Te6+O6)Cl.

Bulachite specimens from Cap Garonne, France, comprise two intimately mixed hydrated aluminium arsenate minerals with the same Al:As ratio of 2:1 and with different water contents. The crystal structures of both minerals have been solved using data from low-dose electron diffraction tomography combined with synchrotron powder X-ray diffraction. One of the minerals has the same powder X-ray diffraction pattern (PXRD) as for published bulachite. It has orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pnma with unit-cell parameters a = 15.3994(3), b = 17.6598(3), c = 7.8083(1) Å and Z = 4, with the formula [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4]⋅2H2O. The second mineral is a higher hydrate with composition [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4]⋅8H2O. It has the same Pnma space group and unit-cell parameters a = 19.855(4), b = 17.6933(11) and c = 7.7799(5) Å i.e. almost the same b and c parameters but a much larger a parameter. The structures are based on polyhedral layers, parallel to (100), of composition [Al6(AsO4)3(OH)9(H2O)4] and with H-bonded H2O between the layers. The layers contain [001] spiral chains of edge-shared octahedra, decorated with corner connected AsO4 tetrahedra that are the same as in the mineral liskeardite. The spiral chains are joined together by octahedral edge-sharing to form layers parallel to (100). Synchrotron PXRD patterns collected at different temperatures during heating of the specimen show that the higher-hydrate mineral starts transforming to bulachite when heated to 50°C, and the transformation is complete between 75 and 100°C.

Hagstromite, Pb8Cu2+(Te6+O6)2(CO3)Cl4, (IMA2019-093) is a new tellurate mineral from Otto Mountain near Baker, California, USA. It occurs on quartz in association with cerussite, fuettererite and thorneite. It is a secondary oxidation zone mineral and is presumed to have formed by oxidation of earlier formed tellurides, chalcopyrite and galena. Hagstromite occurs as light yellow–green blades, up to ~100 μm long. Crystals are transparent with adamantine to silky lustre. The mineral is brittle with two cleavages providing splintery fracture; the Mohs hardness is probably between 2 and 3. The calculated density is 7.062 g cm–3. Hagstromite is optically biaxial (+), with calculated indices of refraction for α = 2.045, β = 2.066 and γ = 2.102; 2Vmeas = 76(1)°; and optical orientation X = b, Y = a and Z = c. The Raman spectrum of hagstromite exhibits similarities with those of agaite and thorneite and confirms the presence of CO32–. The electron microprobe analyses provided the empirical formula Pb8.07Cu2+0.98Te6+1.96C1.17Cl3.83O15.34. Hagstromite is orthorhombic, space group Ibam, with a = 23.688(17), b = 9.026(8), c = 10.461(8) Å, V = 2237(3) Å3 and Z = 4. The crystal structure of hagstromite (R1 = 0.0659 for 284 I > 2σI reflections) contains a novel Cu2+Te6+2O12 chain assembled of corner-sharing Cu2+O4 squares and Te6+O6 octahedra. The O atoms in the chains form bonds with Pb2+ cations, which in turn bond to Cl– and CO32– anions, thereby creating a framework structure.

Cuyaite (IMA2019-126), Ca2Mn3+As3+14O24Cl, is a new arsenite mineral from near Cuya in the Camarones Valley, Arica Province, Chile. It is associated with anhydrite, native arsenic, arsenolite, calcite, claudetite, ferrinatrite, gajardoite-3R, leiteite, magnesiocopiapite, phosphosiderite, pyrite, realgar and talmessite and formed from the oxidation of As-bearing primary phases and alteration by saline fluids derived from evaporating meteoric water under hyperarid conditions. Cuyaite occurs as pale brown thin needles (elongated on [010]), typically in divergent sprays and subparallel intergrowths. The streak is white. Crystals are transparent with adamantine lustre; subparallel intergrowths exhibit silky lustre. The mineral has Mohs hardness of 2½, is brittle, exhibits no cleavage and has irregular fracture. The calculated density is 4.140 g cm–3. Cuyaite is optically biaxial (–), with α = 1.87(1), β = 1.956(calc) and γ = 1.98(1), determined in white light; 2Vmeas= 60(1)°; and orientation:X=bandY^a= 53° in obtuse β. Electron microprobe analyses provided the empirical formula Ca2.03Mn3+0.95(As3+13.66Sb3+0.65)Σ14.31O24Cl0.88. The six strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobsÅ(I)(hkl)]: 4.73(45)(111,$\bar{1}$12), 3.162(100)($\bar{3}$14), 3.035(28)(213), 3.004(37)(204), 2.931(90)($\bar{2}$15, 312) and 2.779(28)(020). Cuyaite is monoclinic,Pn,a= 14.7231(6),b= 5.58709(19),c= 17.4185(12) Å, β = 112.451(8)°,V= 1324.23(14) Å3andZ= 2. In the crystal structure of cuyaite (R1= 0.0369 for 2095I> 2σIreflections), AsO3pyramids share O corners to form a ‘loose’ 3D framework; Jahn–Teller distorted Mn3+O6octahedra and CaO8polyhedra link by edges and corners to form columns; the columns also link by edge- and corner-sharing to the AsO3pyramids in the framework; Cl occupies channels along [010] in the framework. The Raman spectrum is consistent with the presence of multiple As3+O3groups.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T immunotherapy is a novel treatment that genetically modifies the patient’s own T cells to target and kill malignant cells. CAR-T cells demonstrated robust clinical activity against certain B-cell malignancies. However, identification of tumour-specific antigens expressed on multiple cancer types, especially on solid cancers, remains a major challenge. P2X purinoceptor 7 (P2X7) is an ATP gated cation channel that forms homotrimers and heterotrimers at the cell surface. When functioning normally, it controls ion transport in response to ATP. A dysfunctional version of P2X7, named nfP2X7, has been identified on cancer cells from a range of tissues, while being undetectable on healthy cells. We generated prototype nfP2X7-targeting human CAR-T cells, which demonstrated effective antigen-specific cytotoxicity against twelve solid cancer types including breast, prostate, lung, colorectal, brain and skin in vitro. In preclinical xenograft mouse models of aggressive breast and prostate cancer, CAR-T cells targeting nfP2X7 exhibited robust anti-tumour efficacy. These data indicate CAR-T cells targeting nfP2X7 have potential as a novel broad-spectrum cancer immunotherapy for solid tumours in humans.

Synthetic and naturally occurring forms of tricopper orthotellurate, Cu

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.