Motukoreaite, Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][SO4]2·6H2O, is a poorly-known, rare layered double hydroxide mineral belonging to the wermlandite group in the hydrotalcite supergroup. It was found in abundant quantities (at least hundreds of thousands of Mt) in the roof part the Younger Potash unit of the Leine cyclothem on the Kłodawa Salt Dome in central Poland (Permian–Mesozoic basin of Central Europe), outside its known typical environments like altered basalts and basaltic tuffs, including those deposited in submarine volcanic areas. The mineral displays varying SO2–4, Na+ and H2O contents with negligible CO2–3, corresponding to the mean composition Mg5.75(Al3.20Fe3+0.04)∑3.25(OH)18.00{[Na(H2O)6]0.72□0.28}[(SO4)1.67(CO3)3.03(OH)0.57]·0.72H2O. It can be related to the partly dehydrated, hypothetical end-member Mg6Al3(OH)18[Na(H2O)6][(SO4)2]·6H2O. The Kł odawa motukoreaite represents the hexagonal, 3-layer polytype with the 3 × 3 superstructure in the xy plane, and unit cell a = b = 9.191(2)–9.199(2) Å, i.e. = 3 × 3.064–3.066 Å and c = 33.529(9)–33.562(7) Å, i.e. = 3 × 11.174–11.187 Å. The mineral was formed by alteration of clays delivered to the basin by an aeolian overprint and co-sedimented along with the evaporite sequence, initiated under the influence of Mg2+ - and SO2–4-bearing brines at temperatures not exceeding 160–200°C, released from the evaporites during diagenetic/metamorphic processes.

Crystals of Co2CO3(OH)2 have been synthesized under ambient conditions, in contrast to hydrothermal methods reported previously. We have developed a simple but efficient methodology to obtain an initial amorphous phase that evolves to a crystalline cobalt hydroxide carbonate after one week of maturation. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that this phase crystallizes in the space group P21/a (a = 12.886(6), b = 9.346(3), c = 3.156(1) Å, β = 110.358(6)°). The platelet morphology of Co2CO3(OH)2 agrees with its lamellar crystal structure. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) reveals that each individual platelet is comprised of nanodomains disoriented with respect to their neighbours. The kinetics and the activation energy (Ea = 6.26 kJ mol–1) of the transformation process have been estimated using the rate constant method. The precipitation of solids leads to a decrease in the cobalt concentration in the solution (∼88%) reaching values of ∼150 ppm, which can be considered a successful reduction from the perspective of water quality. The calcination in air of the synthetized platelets produced exclusively Co3O4. The thermo-X-ray difraction results confirm that Co2CO3(OH)2 is transformed over a small range of temperatures (225–235°C) into pure Co3O4. HRTEM images show that the lamellar nanomorphology is preserved in the Co3O4 phase. Therefore, understanding the crystallization behaviour of Co2CO3(OH)2 can help to minimize environmental problems caused by cobalt pollution and may facilitate the management of methods to obtain phases with specific nanomorphologies used widely in material sciences.

Kummerite, ideally Mn2+Fe3+A1(PO4)2(OH)2.8H2O, is a new secondary phosphate mineral belonging to the laueite group, from the Hagendorf-Süd pegmatite, Hagendorf, Oberpfalz, Bavaria, Germany. Kummerite occurs as sprays or rounded aggregates of very thin, typically deformed, amber yellow laths. Cleavage is good parallel to ﹛010﹜. The mineral is associated closely with green Zn- and Al-bearing beraunite needles. Other associated minerals are jahnsite-(CaMnMn) and Al-bearing frondelite. The calculated density of kummerite is 2.34 g cm 3. It is optically biaxial (-), α= 1.565(5), β = 1.600(5) and y = 1.630(5), with weak dispersion. Pleochroism is weak, with amber yellow tones. Electron microprobe analyses (average of 13 grains) with H2O and FeO/Fe2O3 calculated on structural grounds and normalized to 100%, gave Fe2O3 17.2, FeO 4.8, MnO 5.4, MgO 2.2, ZnO 0.5, Al2O3 9.8, P2O5 27.6, H2O 32.5, total 100 wt.%. The empirical formula, based on 3 metal apfu is (Mn2+0.37Mg0.27Zn0.03Fe2+0.33)Σ1.00(Fe3+1.06Al0. 94)Σ2.00PO4)1.91(OH)2.27(H2O)7.73. Kummerite is triclinic, P1̄, with the unit-cell parameters of a = 5.316(1) Å, b =10.620(3) Å , c = 7.118(1) Å, α = 107.33(3)°, β= 111.22(3)°, γ = 72.22(2)° and V= 348.4(2) Å3. The strongest lines in the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å(I) (hkl)] 9.885 (100) (010); 6.476 (20) (001); 4.942 (30) (020); 3.988 (9) (̄110); 3.116 (18) (1̄20); 2.873 (11) (1̄21). Kummerite is isostructural with laueite, but differs in having Al and Fe3+ ordered into alternate octahedral sites in the 7.1 Å trans-connected octahedral chains.

An unusually diverse array of 25 secondary Te oxysalt minerals has been documented from Otto Mountain, California, and 18 of these from the Bird Nest drift sublocality. A paragenetic sequence for these minerals is proposed, using observed overgrowth relationships plus spatial association data and data from other localities. Apart from Te and O, the components Pb, Cu and H are essential in the majority of the minerals. The atomic Cu/Te ratio decreases through the paragenetic sequence. This, and the occurrence of minerals with additional components such as Cl–, CO32–, SO42– and Fe3+ at an intermediate stage, suggests nonmonotonic evolution of the parent fluids, reflecting differing access to or spatial distribution of various components. For the minerals with known crystal structures, two alternative 'structural units' were identified, one consisting only of the Te4+ or Te6+ oxyanion, while the other also included small, strongly-bound cations such as Cu2+. The degree of polymerization for the Te oxyanion correlated with the paragenetic sequence: the monomeric tellurate anions of early minerals were replaced progressively by dimers, chains and sheet structures, which may relate to a decreasing abundance of the 'network modifying' Cu2+ cation, analogous to Bowen's discontinuous reaction series in igneous rock-forming silicates. No relationship was seen between paragenetic order and the larger type of structural unit, or structural complexity as defined by information content. This contrasts with results in the literature for evaporite sulfates and pegmatite phosphates. While structure–paragenesis relationships may be widespread, the exact nature of such relationships may be different for different chemical systems and different paragenetic environments.

Oscarkempffite, ideally Ag10Pb4(Sb17Bi9)∑=26S48, is a new mineral species found in old material (1929–30) from the Colorada vein, Animas mine, Chocaya Province, Department of Potosi, Bolivia. It is associated with aramayoite, stannite, miargyrite, pyrargyrite and tetrahedrite. Oscarkempffite forms anhedral grains and grain aggregates up to 10 mm across. The mineral is opaque, greyish black with a metallic lustre; it is brittle without any discernible cleavage. In reflected light oscarkempffite is greyish white, pleochroism is distinct, white to dark grey. Internal reflections are absent. In crossed polars, anisotropism is distinct with rotation tints in shades of grey. The reflectance data (%, air) are: 39.9, 42.6 at 470 nm, 38.6, 41.7 at 546 nm, 38.1, 41.2 at 589 nm and 37.3, 40.6 at 650 nm. Mohs hardness is 3–3½, microhardness VHN50 exhibits a range 189–208, with a mean value 200 kg mm–2. The average results of four electron-microprobe analyses in a grain are: Cu 0.24(7), Ag 14.50(8), Pb 11.16(14), Sb 28.72(16), Bi 24.56(17), S 20.87(5), total 100.05(6) wt.%, corresponding to Cu0.24Ag9.92Pb4.00Sb17.36Bi8.64S47.84 (on the basis of Me + S = 88 apfu). The simplified formula, Ag10Pb4Sb17Bi9S48, is in accordance with the results of a crystal-structure determination. The density, 5.8 g cm–3, was calculated using the ideal formula. Oscarkempffite has an orthorhombic cell with a = 13.199(2), b = 19.332(3), c = 8.249(1) Å, V = 2116.3(5) Å3, space group Pnca and Z = 1. The strongest eight lines in the (calculated) powder-diffraction pattern are [d in Å(I)hkl]: 3.66(35)(122), 3.37(70)(132), 3.34(100)(250), 2.982(55)(312), 2.881(86)(322), 2.733(29)(332), 2.073(27)(004) and 2.062(31)(182). Comparison with gustavite, andorite and roshchinite confirms its independence as a mineral species.

The Zagros orogenic and metallogenic belt is characterized by the widespread occurrence of manganese and ferromanganese deposits. These deposits are spatially associated with radiolarian cherts and basaltic rocks, which cap the ophiolite sequences. The present work provides a review on the rare-earth element (REE) geochemistry coupled with major- and trace-element geochemical characteristics of the Nasirabad and Abadeh Tashk manganese deposits (associated with the Neyriz ophiolite), and Sorkhvand manganese deposit (associated with the Kermanshah ophiolite). These data are used to gain an insight into the primary ore-forming processes that control the deposition of manganese ores. All of the selected manganese deposits have consistently high Ba contents and low concentrations of trace elements (Co, Cu and Ni) with high Mn/Fe ratios typical of hydrothermal activity. A relatively low REE abundance, Lan/Ndn ratios (>3), and position on a Lan/Cen vs. Al2O3/(Al2O3 + Fe2O3) discrimination plot indicate a distal hydrothermal source for almost all of the selected manganese deposits. Most of the deposits are characterized by Ceanom < –0.1 which reflects the prevailing oxidative conditions during the deposition of manganese ores. Importantly, this is consistent with the occurrence of non-sulfide oxic Mn mineralization in all the manganese deposits of the Zagros orogeny. The comparison of the Sorkhvand, Abadeh Tashk and Nasirabad manganese deposits with other manganese deposits elsewhere in the world indicates that major- and trace-element characteristics, as well as the REE composition of the Zagros manganese deposits are analogous to those typical of hydrothermal deposits.

The new mineral chongite (IMA2015–039), Ca3Mg2(AsO4)2(AsO3OH)2.4H2O, was found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with native arsenic, arsenolite, gajardoite, talmessite and torrecillasite. Chongite occurs as prismatic crystals up to ∼1 mm long grouped in tightly intergrown radial aggregates up to 2 mm in diameter. Crystals are transparent, with vitreous lustre and white streak. The Mohs hardness is ∼3½, tenacity is brittle and fracture is conchoidal. Cleavage is good on ﹛100﹜. The measured density is 3.09(2) g/cm3 and the calculated density is 3.087 g/cm3. Optically, chongite is biaxial (-) with α = 1.612(1), β= 1.626(1), γ= 1.635(1) and 2V = 76.9(1)° (measured in white light). Dispersion is r < v, distinct. The optical orientation is X= b;Z^a = 27° in obtuse angle β. The mineral is slowly soluble in dilute HCl at room temperature. The empirical formula, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, is (Ca2.90Mg1.93Mn0.14)Σ4.97As4O20H10.07. Chongite is monoclinic, die, a = 18.5879(6), b = 9.3660(3), c = 9.9622(7) Å, β = 96.916(7)°, V= 1721.75(14) Å3 and Z=4. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 8.35(29)(110), 4.644(62) (3ˉ11,020,400,2̄02), 4.396(26)(311), 3.372(62)(022,312,5̄11), 3.275(100)(420,22ˉ2,421), 3.113(57)(222), 2.384(30)(711,530,7̄12) and 1.7990(22)(9̄13,334,5̄34). The structure determination (R1 = 1.56% for 1849 Fo > 4σF reflections) confirms that chongite is a member of the hureaulite group.

Oxo-mangano-leakeite, a newly approved end-member of the amphibole supergroup (IMA-CNMNC 20150-35), has been found in a rock containing manganese silicate and oxide at the Hoskins Mine, a Mn deposit 3 km west of Grenfell, New South Wales. The end-member formula of oxo-mangani-leakeite is ANaBNa2C(Mn3+4Li)TSi8 O22WO2, which would require SiO2 53.15, Mn2O3 34.91, Li2O 1.66, Na2O 10.28, total 100.00 wt.%. The empirical formula derived for the sample of this work from electron and ion microprobe analysis using constraints resulting from single-crystal structure refinement is A(Na0.65K0.36)∑ = 1.01B(Na1.94Ca0.06)∑ = 2.00C(Mg1.60Zn0.01 Li0.58)∑ = 5.01T(Si7.98Al0.02)∑ = 8.00O22W(O1.34OH0.66)∑ = 2.00. Oxo-mangano-leakeite is biaxial (–), with α = 1.681, β = 1.712, γ = 1.738, all ± 0.002, and 2V (meas.) = 81.0(4)°, 2V (calc.) = 83.5°. The unit-cell dimensions are a = 9.875(5), b = 17.873(9), c = 5.295(2) Å, β = 104.74(3)°, V = 903.8 (7) Å3; the space group is C2/m, with Z = 2. The strongest ten reflections in the powder X-ray pattern [d values (in Å), I, (hkl)] are: 8.423, 100, (110); 3.377, 46, (131); 4.461, 40, (040); 4.451, 40, (021); 3.134, 37, (310); 2.694, 37, (151); 2.282, 27, (); 2.734, 25, (31); 2.575, 24, (061); 2.331, 24, [() ()]. The holotype material is deposited in the Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, under the catalogue number CMNMC 86895.

A transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation was undertaken in order to elucidate the nature of the structural disorder in a tobelite specimen from the sedimentary rocks of the Armorican sandstones (western France). This structural disorder may be the origin of residual electron-density maxima in difference-Fourier maps reported previously in single-crystal XRD studies of tobelite. The TEM investigation of tobelite confirmed that it is the 2M2 polytype in subfamily-B, but the ordered sequence is interrupted by numerous stacking faults parallel to (001), for which the stacking vectors belong to both subfamilies-A and -B of mica polytypes, with a prevalence of the latter. Chemical heterogeneity depending on the Si/Al ratio and Na and Mg concentration was observed at the nanoscale among different mica lamellae in a single crystal. The observed variations are consistent with a change in mica chemistry leading to interlayer vacancies which may cause shortening of the interlayer separation, as revealed by the single-crystal structure refinements.

Two samples of hydrotalcite, probably worked on by Carl Christian Hochstetter, have been discovered in the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin and given neotype status by the IMA CNMNC (proposal 15-J). The two samples from Snarum, Norway, have been reanalysed and give Mg5.84Al2.07Fe0.09(OH)16(CO3)1.08·4H2O and Mg5.75Al2.21Fe0.04(OH)16(CO3)1.12·4H2O. Both samples have a mix of the two polytypes 3R/2H in the ratio of 69.2/30.8 and 69.5/30.5%. A discussion of hydrotalcite and hydrotalcite-like phase occurrences in the literature is also presented.

The crystal structure of argentobaumhauerite is reported for the first time from a sulfosalt aggregate from Lengenbach deposit, Binntal, Switzerland. The chemical formula of argentobaumhauerite, calculated in agreement with the results of structure determination is Cu0.06Ag1.20Tl0.18Pb21.46Sb0.56As32.28 S72.26. The difference from the idealized baumahuerite formula, Pb12As16S36, and from the formula of Ag – , Tl- and Sb-free baumhauerite from Moosegg, Austria, Pb11.80As16.28S35.92, expresses the Ag + As and Tl + As substitution for 2Pb. Argentobaumhauerite is triclinic, a = 7.9053(10), b = 8.4680(10), c = 44.4102(53) Å, α = 84.614(2), β = 86.469(2), γ = 89.810(2)°. V(cell) = 2954.16 Å3, space group P1. Baumhauerite Pb11.80As16.28S35.92 from Moosegg is triclinic, a = 7.884(4), b = 8.345(4), c = 22.811(11) Å, α = 90.069(8), β = 97.255(8), γ = 90.082(8)°, V(cell) = 1488.8(13) Å3, space group P1. Both minerals represent the N 1,2 = 3;4 = 3.5 member of the sartorite homologous series, with As-rich slabs separated by zigzag layers of trigonal coordination prisms of lead. In argentobaumhauerite the sequence of alternating N = 3 and N = 4 slabs of baumhauerite is further modified by alternation of two distinct types of N = 4 slabs, those with Pb present in the slab interior and those with the interior Pb substituted by Ag + As. The length and arrangement of crankshaft chains of short As–S bonds differs between different slabs, and especially between the N = 4 slabs of baumhauerite and argentobaumhauerite. The name 'argentobaumhauerite' replaces the preliminary name 'baumhauerite-2a' (IMA-CNMNC; accepted proposal 15-F).

The new mineral gajardoite (IMA2015-040), KCa0.5As3+4O6Cl2·5H2O, was found at the Torrecillas mine, Iquique Province, Chile, where it occurs as a secondary alteration phase in association with native arsenic, arsenolite,chongite, talmessite and torrecillasite. Gajardoite occurs as hexagonal plates up to ∼100 μm in diameter and 5 μm thick, in rosette-like subparallel intergrowths. Crystals are transparent, with vitreous lustre and white streak. The Mohs hardness is ∼1½, tenacity is brittleand fracture is irregular. Cleavage is perfect on {001}. The measured density is 2.64 g/cm3 and the calculated density is 2.676 g/cm3. Optically, gajardoite is uniaxial (–) with ω = 1.780(3) and ε = 1.570(5) (measured in white light). The mineral is very slowly soluble in H2O and slowly soluble in dilute HCl at room temperature. The empirical formula, determined from electron-microprobe analyses, is (K0.77Ca0.71Na0.05Mg0.05)∑1.58As4O11Cl1.96H9.62.Gajardoite is hexagonal, P6/mmm, a = 5.2558(8), c = 15.9666(18) Å, V = 381.96(13) Å3 and Z = 1. The eight strongest powder X-ray diffraction lines are [dobs Å(I)(hkl)]: 16.00(100)(001), 5.31(48)(003),3.466 (31)(103), 3.013(44)(104), 2.624(51)(006,110,111), 2.353(36)(113), 1.8647(21)(116,205) and 1.4605(17) (119,303,216). The structure, refined to R1 = 3.49% for 169 Fo > 4σF reflections, contains two types of layers. One layer of formulaKAs3+4O6Cl2 consists of two neutral As2O3 sheets, between which are K+ cations and on the outside of which are Cl– anions. This layer is topologically identical to a slice of the lucabindiite structureand similar to a slice of the torrecillasite structure. The second layer consists of an edge-sharing sheet of Ca(H2O)6 trigonal pyramids with isolated H2O groups centred in the hexagonal cavities in the sheet.

Ferrivauxite, ideally Fe3+ Al2(PO4)2(OH)3·5H2O, is an oxidized equivalent of vauxite, Fe2+ Al2(PO4)2(OH)2·6H2O, and forms oxidation pseudomorphs after that mineral. It occurs in association with sigloite and crandallite at the Llallagua tin deposit, Bolivia. It is triclinic, space group P1̄, with a = 9.198(2), b = 11.607(3), c = 6.112(2) Å, α = 98.237(9), β = 91.900(13), γ = 108.658(9)°, V = 609.7(5) Å3, Z = 2. Strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å(Iobs)(hkl)]: 10.834(100)(010), 8.682(24)(100), 8.242 (65)(110), 6.018(28)(001), 5.918(23)(1̄10), 5.491 (30)(1̄20), 4.338(26)(200), 2.898 (32)(300). The structure was refined to R1 = 0.0369 for 3244 observed reflections. Twinning occurs on {010}. Ferrivauxite is isotypic with vauxite but with positional disorder of the Fe1 site and some of the oxygen sites. Disorder is also indicated by the infrared spectrum. One of the water molecules in vauxite is deprotonated in conjunction with the oxidation process and becomes a hydroxyl group. Ferrivauxite is translucent to transparent, has a golden brown colour with a pale yellow-brown streak and vitreous lustre. It is brittle with an irregular fracture and shows no cleavage. The Mohs hardness is estimated to be ∼3½ by comparison with vauxite. D(calc.) is 2.39 g cm–3 for the empirical formula Fe3+0.94Mn0.01Al1.98P2.05O8(OH)3 · 5H2O, obtained by electron-microprobe analysis in wavelength dispersive spectroscopy mode. The mineral is optically biaxial negative with α = 1.589(1), β = 1.593(1), γ = 1.596(1); the refractive indices are higher than those of vauxite.

Volcanic rocks in south County Waterford include flow-top hyaloclastite, pillow lavas and peperite, which are formed typically by sub-aqueous eruption or intrusion into unconsolidated sediment. Element mobility in wet sediment during emplacement of volcanic intrusions was reconstructed on a variety of spatial scales using bulk-rock and mineral analysis. Magma-sediment and magma-water interactions enhanced hydrothermal alteration. The chemistry of chlorite was a function of mixing between an Fe-rich magmatic fluid and a Mg-rich meteoric fluid. Chlorite geothermometry yields temperatures of formation between 230 and 388°C compatible with other metamorphic indicators. Fluid inclusion microthermometric data from genetically-related mineralized quartz veins reveal a hydrothermal vein mineralization event that occurred at lower temperatures during the end stage of volcanic activity. A convection driven mixing trend reflects the trapping of co-existing brine with entrained seawater concomitant with, the late stages of emplacement of the Bunmahon Volcano intrusions.

Zircon from 14 representative granite samples of the late-Variscan Cornubian Batholith in SW England was analysed for W, P, As, Nb, Ta, Si, Ti, Zr, Hf, Th, U, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, Al, Sc, Bi, Mn, Fe, Ca, Pb, Cu, S and F using electron probe microanalyses. Zircons from the biotite and tourmaline granites are poor in minor and trace elements, usually containing 1.0–1.5 wt.% HfO2, <0.5 wt.% UO2 and P2O5, <0.25 wt.% Y2O3, <0.2 wt.% Sc2O3 and Bi2O3 and <0.1 wt.% ThO2. Zircon from topaz granites from the St. Austell Pluton, Meldon Aplite and Megiliggar Rocks are slightly enriched in Hf (up to 4 wt.% HfO2), U (1– 3.5 wt.% UO2) and Sc (0.5–1 wt.% Sc2O3). Scarce metamictized zircon grains are somewhat enriched in Al, Ca, Fe and Mn. The decrease of the zircon Zr/Hf ratio, a reliable magma fractionation index, from 110–60 in the biotite granites to 30–10 in the most evolved topaz granites (Meldon Aplite and Megiliggar Rocks), supports a comagmatic origin of the biotite and topaz granites via long-lasting fractionation of common peraluminous crustal magma. In comparison with other European rare-metal provinces, the overall contents of trace elements in Cornubian zircons are low and the Zr/Hf and U/Th ratios show lower degrees of fractionation of the parental melt.

The crystal structure of hejtmanite, Ba2Mn4Ti2(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2F2, from Mbolve Hill, Mkushi River area, Central Province, Zambia (holotype material) has been refined on a twinned crystal to R 1 = 1.88% on the basis of 4539 [|F| > 4|F|] reflections. Hejtmanite is triclinic, C1̅, a = 10.716(2), b = 13.795(3), c = 11.778 (2) ,= 90.07(3),= 112.24(3),= 90.03(3), V = 1612(2) 3. Chemical analysis (electron microprobe) gives: Ta2O5 0.09, Nb2O5 1.27, ZrO2 0.65, TiO2 14.35, SiO2 23.13, BaO 26.68, SrO 0.19, FeO 11.28, MnO 15.12, Cs2O 0.05, K2O 0.33, F 3.82, H2Ocalc. 1.63, O = F 1.61, total 97.10 wt.%, where the H2O content was calculated from the crystal-structure refinement, with (OHF) = 4 apfu. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 20 (OF) anions, is of the form (Si2O7)2(XO)4(XP)2, Z=4: (Ba1.82K0.07 Sr0.02)Σ1.91(Mn2.33 Zr0.04Mg0.03)Σ3.95(Ti1.88Nb0.10Zr0.02)Σ2(Si2.02O7)2O2[(OH)1.89 F0.11]Σ2F2. The crystal structure is a combination of a TS (Titanium Silicate) block and an I (intermediate) block. The TS block consists of HOH sheets (Hheteropolyhedral, Ooctahedral). The topology of the TS block is as in Group-II TS-block minerals: Ti ( Nb) = 2 apfu per (Si2O7)2 [as defined by Sokolova (2006)]. In the O sheet, five [6]MO sites are occupied mainly by Mn, less Fe2 and minor Zr and Mg, with <MOφ> = 2.198(φ = O,OH), ideally giving Mn4 apfu. In the H sheet, two [6]MH sites are occupied mainly by Ti, with <MHφ> = 1.962(φ = O,F), ideally giving Ti2 apfu; four [4] Si sites are occupied by Si, with < SiO> = 1.625 . The MH octahedra and Si2O7 groups constitute the H sheet. The two [12]Ba-dominant AP(1,2) sites, with <APφ> = 2.984(φ = O, F), ideally give Ba2 apfu. Two (1,2) and two (1,2) sites are occupied by O atoms and OH groups with minor F, respectively, ideally giving (XO)4 = ()2()2=O2(OH)2 pfu. Two (1,2) sites are occupied by F, giving F2 apfu. TS blocks link via a layer of Ba atoms which constitute the I block. Simplified and end-member formulae of hejtmanite are Ba2(Mn,Fe2)4Ti2 (Si2O7)2O2(OH,F)2 F2 and Ba2Mn4Ti2(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2F2, Z = 4. Hejtmanite is a Mn-analogue of bafertisite, Ba2 4 Ti2(Si2O7)2O2(OH)2F2.

The crystal structure of the mineral uytenbogaardtite, a rare silver-gold sulfide, was solved using intensity data collected for a crystal from the type locality, the Comstock lode, Storey County, Nevada (USA). The study revealed that the structure is trigonal, space group R3̄c, with cell parameters a = 13.6952(5), c = 17.0912(8) Å and V = 2776.1(2) Å3. The refinement of an anisotropic model led to an R index of 0.0140 for 1099 independent reflections. The structure consists of a sub-lattice of sulfur atoms forming a distorted body-centred cubic arrangement. The structure contains distinct tri-atomic linear groups (S–Au–S) and Ag atoms bonded to four S atoms (from four different linear groups) in a distorted tetrahedral arrangement. On the basis of information gained from this characterization, uytenbogaardtite is here definitively proved to be structurally different from petzite, Ag3AuTe2 and fischesserite, Ag3AuSe2. By use of high-quality single-crystal diffraction data, the symmetry of the mineral was found to be trigonal, and not tetragonal as erroneously supposed. A revaluation of the powder diffraction data listed in the scientific literature for uytenbogaardtite according to the structural results obtained here leads to an excellent agreement. Crystal-chemical features of uytenbogaardtite, Au2S, petrovskaite AgAuS, uytenbogaardtite–fischesserite series Ag3Au(S2–xSex) and acanthite–naummanite series Ag2(S1–xSex) are compared.