A new mineral glikinite, ideally Zn3O(SO4)2, was found in high-temperature exhalative mineral assemblages in the Arsenatnaya fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (1975–1976), Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Glikinite is associated closely with langbeinite, lammerite-β, bradaczekite, euchlorine, anhydrite, chalcocyanite and tenorite. It is monoclinic, P21/m, a = 7.298(18), b = 6.588(11), c = 7.840(12) Å, β = 117.15(3)°, V = 335.4(11) Å3 and R1 = 0.046. The eight strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d in Å (I) (hkl)] are: 6.969(56)(00$\bar{1}$), 3.942(52)(101), 3.483(100)(00$\bar{2}$), 3.294(49)(020), 2.936(43)(120), 2.534(63)(201), 2.501(63)(20$\bar{3}$) and 2.395(86)(02$\bar{2}$). The chemical composition determined by electron-microprobe analysis is (wt.%): ZnO 42.47, CuO 19.50, SO3 39.96, total 101.93. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of O = 9 apfu is Zn2.07Cu0.97S1.98O9 and the simplified formula is Zn3O(SO4)2. Glikinite is a Zn,Cu analogue of synthetic Zn3O(SO4)2. The crystal structure of glikinite is based on OZn4 tetrahedra sharing common corners, thus forming [Zn3O]4+ chains. Sulfate groups interconnect [Zn3O]4+ chains into a 3D framework.

Exhalative mineral assemblages from fumaroles of Tolbachik volcano are very rich in anhydrous sulfate minerals of alkali and transition metals. Koryakite, ideally NaKMg2Al2(SO4)6, was found in the Yadovitaya fumarole of the Second scoria cone of the North Breach of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (1975–1976), Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Koryakite occurs as a product of fumarolic activity and closely associates with euchlorine and langbeinite. Koryakite is trigonal, R$\bar{3}$, a = 8.1124(11), c = 22.704(7) Å and V = 1294.0(5) Å3. The chemical composition determined by electron-microprobe analysis is (wt.%): Na2O 4.27, K2O 5.85, ZnO 0.31, СaO 0.31, CuO 0.76, MgO 10.15, Al2O3 11.47, Fe2O3 2.73, SO3 64.33 and SiO2 0.13, total 100.31. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 24 O apfu is Na1.03K0.93(Mg1.89Cu0.07Ca0.04Zn0.03)Σ2.03(Al1.68Fe3+0.26)Σ1.94(S6.02Si0.02)Σ6.04O24. No natural or synthetic chemical analogues of koryakite are known to date. The topology of the [M2+2M3+2(SO4)6]2– heteropolyhedral framework in koryakite is very similar to the one in millosevichite, Al2(SO4)3 and mikasaite, Fe3+2(SO4)3. Replacement of part of the trivalent cations in the [M3+2(SO4)3]0 framework by divalent cations gives the framework a negative charge for koryakite and allows the incorporation of the alkali species in the channels. This structural mechanism is reminiscent of the concept of stuffed derivative structures. Koryakite is also structurally related to synthetic NaMgFe3+(SO4)3 and to the broader family of NASICON-related phases.

A new mineral majzlanite, ideally K2Na(ZnNa)Ca(SO4)4, was found in high-temperature exhalative mineral assemblages in the Yadovitaya fumarole, Second scoria cone of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (1975–1976), Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Majzlanite is associated closely with langbeinite and K-bearing thénardite. Majzlanite is grey with a bluish tint, has a white streak and vitreous lustre. The mineral is soluble in warm water. Majzlanite is monoclinic, C2/c, a = 16.007(2), b = 9.5239(11), c = 9.1182(10) Å, β = 94.828(7)°, V = 1385.2(3) Å3 and Z = 16. The eight strongest lines of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [d, Å (I, %)(hkl)]: 3.3721(40)($\bar{3}$12), 3.1473(56)($\bar{4}$02), 3.1062(65)($\bar{2}$22), 2.9495(50)($\bar{1}$31), 2.8736(100)($\bar{1}$13), 2.8350(70)(421), 2.8031(45)(511) and 2.6162(41)($\bar{5}$12). The following structural formula was obtained: K2Na(Zn0.88Na0.60Cu0.36Mg0.16)(Ca0.76Na0.24)(S0.98Al0.015Si0.005O4)4. The chemical composition determined by electron-microprobe analysis is (wt.%): Na2O 9.73, K2O 15.27, ZnO 11.20, CaO 7.03, CuO 4.26, MgO 1.07, Al2O3 0.47, SO3 51.34, SiO2 0.12, total 100.49. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 16 O apfu is K1.99Na1.93Zn0.84Ca0.77Cu0.33Mg0.16(S3.94Al0.06Si0.01)O16 and the simplified formula is K2Na(Zn,Na,Cu,Mg)Σ2(Ca,Na)(SO4)4. No natural or synthetic compounds directly chemically and/or structurally related to majzlanite are known to date. The topology of the heteropolyhedral framework in majzlanite is complex. An interesting feature of the structure of majzlanite is an edge-sharing of ZnO6 octahedra with SO4 tetrahedra.

Aleutite, ideally [Cu5O2](AsO4)(VO4)·(Cu0.5□0.5)Cl, was found in the Yadovitaya fumarole of the Second scoria cone of the Great Fissure Tolbachik eruption, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Aleutite occurs as individual crystals in the masses of polycrystalline anhydrite. Aleutite is monoclinic, C2/m, a = 18.090(2) Å, b = 6.2284(6) Å, c = 8.2465(9) Å, β = 90.597(2)°, V = 929.1(2) Å3 and Z = 4 (from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data). The empirical formula calculated on the basis of (As + V+Mo + Fe3+) = 2 atoms per formula unit is Сu5.40Zn0.05Ca0.01As1.09V0.84Mo0.04Fe0.03K0.05Pb0.02Rb0.01Cs0.01O9.97Cl1.07. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an agreement index R1 = 0.066. Aleutite has a new structure type. Aleutite is unique amongst natural and synthetic copper vanadates and arsenates, as it has As5+ and V5+ cations ordered over two tetrahedral sites. The topology of ${}_\infty ^1 [{\rm Cu_5O_2}]^{6 +} $ oxocentred bands in aleutite is novel and has not been described before in minerals and synthetic materials. The structural architecture of the ${}_\infty ^1 [{\rm Cu_5O_2}]^{6 +} $ band in aleutite can be derived from a kagome network and represents a one-dimensional slice from it. In addition, aleutite is an interesting and complex example of a natural salt-inclusion phase.

Dokuchaevite, ideally Cu8O2(VO4)3Cl3, was found in the Yadovitaya fumarole of the Second scoria cone of the North Breach of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (1975–1976), Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Dokuchaevite occurs on the crusts of various copper sulfate exhalative minerals (such as kamchatkite and euchlorine) as individual prismatic crystals. Dokuchaevite is triclinic, P$\bar{1}$, a = 6.332(3), b = 8.204(4), c = 15.562(8) Å, α = 90.498(8), β = 97.173(7), γ = 90.896(13)°, V = 801.9(7) Å3 and R1 = 0.057. The eight strongest lines of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are (d, Å (I)(hkl): (15.4396)(18)(00$\bar{1}$), (7.2762)(27)(0$\bar{1}$1), (5.5957)(43)(012), (4.8571)(33)($\bar{1}\bar{1}$1), (3.1929) (29)(023), (2.7915)(30)(202), (2.5645)(21)(032), (2.5220)(100)(1$\bar{3}$0), (2.4906)(18)(130) and (2.3267)(71)(2$\bar{2}$2). The chemical composition determined by electron-microprobe analysis is (wt.%): CuO 60.87, ZnO 0.50, FeO 0.36, V2O5 19.85, As2O5 6.96, SO3 0.44, MoO3 1.41, SiO2 0.20, P2O5 0.22, Cl 10.66, –O = Cl2 2.41, total 99.06. The empirical formula calculated on the basis of 17 anions per formula unit is (Cu7.72Zn0.06Fe0.05)Σ7.83(V2.20As0.61Mo0.10S0.06P0.03Si0.03)Σ3.03O13.96Cl3.04.

The crystal structure of dokuchaevite represents a new structure type with eight Cu sites, which demonstrate the remarkable diversity of Cu2+ mixed-ligand coordination environments. The crystal structure of dokuchaevite is based on OCu4 tetrahedra that share common corners thus forming [O2Cu6]8+ single chains. Two of the eight symmetrically independent copper atoms do not form Cu–O bonds with additional oxygen atoms, and thus are not part of the OCu4 tetrahedra, but provide the three-dimensional integrity of the [O2Cu6]8+ chains into a framework. TO4 mixed tetrahedral groups are located within the cavities of the framework. The structural formula of dokuchaevite can be represented as Cu2[Cu6O2](VO4)3Cl3.

Levantite, with the end-member formula KCa3(Al2Si3)O11(PO4), is the phosphate analogue of latiumite, KCa3(Al3Si2)O11(SO4, CO3) found in gehlenite–wollastonite hornfels on Har Parsa, Negev Desert, Israel. Levantite forms later zones on long-prismatic crystals of latiumite. Rarer homogeneous colourless levantite crystals up to 0.2 mm long and with mean composition (K0.94Ba0.01Na0.01□0.04)Σ1.00(Ca2.96Mg0.03)Σ2.99{(Si2.69Al2.06Fe3+0.16P0.06)Σ4.97O11}[(PO4)0.65(SO4)0.35]Σ1.00 were noted. Minerals of the levantite–latiumite series are associated with gehlenite, wollastonite, clinopyroxene of the esseneite–diopside series, anorthite and Ti-bearing andradite. Levantite crystalises in space group P21 with unit-cell parameters a = 12.1006(9) Å, b = 5.1103(4) Å, c = 10.8252(9) Å, β = 107.237(8)°, V = 639.34(9) Å3 and Z = 2. The structure of levantite is analogous to latiumite. It is formed by tetrahedral hybrid zweier double layers [(Si,Al)10O22] connected by Ca atoms. Three Ca atoms linked to different double layers are bridged over by (PO4) and minor (SO4) groups. K atoms reside in the cavities between two superimposed zweier double layers. The measured micro-indentation hardness of levantite gave VHN50 = 580(19) (mean of 14), range 550–611 kg/mm2, which correlates with 5 on the Mohs scale. Cleavage is good on (100). Twinning on (100) is polysynthetic or simple. The calculated density is 2.957 g cm–3. Levantite is optically negative with α = 1.608(2), β = 1.618(2), γ = 1.622(2) (λ = 589 nm), 2Vmeas. = 70(5)° and 2Vcalc. = 64.3°. Dispersion of the optical axes r > v is weak; the optical orientation is: Z = b, X ^ c = 22–27°; and it is non-pleochroic. Minerals of the levantite–latiumite series from Israel show characteristic Raman spectra with the main bands at 994 cm–1 [ν1(SO4)2–] and 945 cm–1 [ν1(PO4)3–]. The band intensity ν1(PO4)3–/ν1(SO4) ratio is well correlated with P and S contents in the investigated minerals. The strongest lines in the powder diffraction pattern [dobs, Å (I, %) (hkl)] are: 3.0762(100)(310), 2.8551(96)($\bar 2$13), 2.9704(92)($\bar 3$12), 2.8573(83)(013), 2.5552(66)(020), 2.8228(48)(212), 2.8893(40)(400), and 3.0634(30)(103).

New procedures are put in place in order to facilitate the dissemination of new mineral names into the public arena. Authors will get the opportunity to select whether the Commission will release the new mineral name upon successful approval in the Commission's monthly newsletter, which will be published in Mineralogical Magazine. Authors are also entitled to have the name not released until final publication, i.e. to retain the status quo. This will enable citations to be made using the new mineral name until the full description is published. Modifications to the existing rules, on the two-year time frame for new mineral publication, are also outlined.

Karpovite, ideally Tl2VO(SO4)2(H2O), was found in a fumarole of the 1st cinder cone of the North Breach of the Great Fissure Tolbachik volcano eruption (1975–1976), Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Karpovite occurs as bundles of white, needle-like crystals associated with shcherbinaite, pauflerite, bobjonesite, markhininite, evdokimovite and microcrystalline Mg, Al, Fe and Na sulfates. Karpovite is monoclinic, P21, a = 4.6524(4), b = 11.0757(9), c = 9.3876(7) Å , β = 98.353(2)º, V = 478.60(7) Å3, Z = 2 (from single-crystal diffraction data). The eight strongest lines of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are (I/d/hkl): 64/4.289/012, 81/4.253/110, 38/3.683/111, 47/3.557/022, 100/3.438/21, 52/2.982/013, 59/2.945/112, 54/2.354/132. The chemical composition determined by the electron microprobe analysis is (wt.%) Tl2O 61.43, VO2 11.53, SO3 23.55, H2O 2.61, total 99.12. The empirical formula (calculated on the basis of 10 O a.p.f.u.) is Tl2.00V0.96S2.03O9(H2O). The simplified formula of karpovite is Tl2VO(SO4)2(H2O), which requires Tl2O 61.93, VO2 12.09, SO3 23.34, H2O 2.62 total 100.00 wt.%. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R1 = 0.026 for 4196 independent observed reflections. The structure contains two symmetrically independent Tl+ sites, one V4+ site and two S6+ sites. VO5H2O octahedra and SO4 tetrahedra link together by sharing corners to form kröhnkite-type stripes parallel to the a axis with their planes oriented parallel to (021) and (02). Tl+ cations are located between the chains, linked into a three-dimensional structure. The new mineral is named in honour of Professor Gennadii Alexandrovich Karpov (b. 1938), volcanologist at the Institute of Volcanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskii, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia.

Two new minerals – manganoblödite (IMA2012–029), ideally Na2Mn(SO4)2·4H2O, and cobaltoblödite (IMA2012–059), ideally Na2Co(SO4)2·4H2O, the Mn-dominant and Co-dominant analogues of blödite, respectively, were found at the Blue Lizard mine, San Juan County, Utah, USA. They are closely associated with blödite (Mn-Co-Ni-bearing), chalcanthite, gypsum, sideronatrite, johannite, quartz and feldspar. Both new minerals occur as aggregates of anhedral grains up to 60 μm (manganoblödite) and 200 μm (cobaltoblödite) forming thin crusts covering areas up to 2 × 2 cm on the surface of other sulfates. Both new species often occur as intimate intergrowths with each other and also with Mn-Co-Ni-bearing blödite. Manganoblödite and cobaltoblödite are transparent, colourless in single grains and reddish-pink in aggregates and crusts, with a white streak and vitreous lustre. Their Mohs' hardness is ∼2½. They are brittle, have uneven fracture and no obvious parting or cleavage. The measured and calculated densities are Dmeas = 2.25(2) g cm−3 and Dcalc = 2.338 g cm−3 for manganoblödite and Dmeas = 2.29(2) g cm−3 and Dcalc = 2.347 g cm−3 for cobaltoblödite. Optically both species are biaxial negative. The mean refractive indices are α = 1.493(2), β = 1.498(2) and γ = 1.501(2) for manganoblödite and α = 1.498(2), β = 1.503(2) and γ = 1.505(2) for cobaltoblödite. The chemical composition of manganoblödite (wt.%, electron-microprobe data) is: Na2O 16.94, MgO 3.29, MnO 8.80, CoO 2.96, NiO 1.34, SO3 45.39, H2O (calc.) 20.14, total 98.86. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 12 O a.p.f.u., is: Na1.96(Mn0.44Mg0.29Co0.14Ni0.06)Σ0.93S2.03O8·4H2O. The chemical composition of cobaltoblödite (wt.%, electron-microprobe data) is: Na2O 17.00, MgO 3.42, MnO 3.38, CoO 7.52, NiO 2.53, SO3 45.41, H2O (calc.) 20.20, total 99.46. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 12 O a.p.f.u., is: Na1.96(Co0.36Mg0.30Mn0.17Ni0.12)Σ 0.95S2.02O8·4H2O. Both minerals are monoclinic, space group P21/a, with a = 11.137(2), b = 8.279(1), c = 5.5381(9) Å, β = 100.42(1)°, V = 502.20(14) Å3 and Z = 2 (manganoblödite); and a = 11.147(1), b = 8.268(1), C = 5.5396(7) Å, β = 100.517(11)°, V = 501.97(10) Å3 and Z = 2 (cobaltoblödite). The strongest diffractions from X-ray powder pattern [listed as (d,Å(I)(hkl)] are for manganoblödite: 4.556(70)(210, 011); 4.266(45)(01); 3.791(26)(11); 3.338(21)(310); 3.291(100)(220, 021), 3.256(67)(211, 21), 2.968(22)(21), 2.647(24)(01); for cobaltoblödite: 4.551(80)(210, 011); 4.269(50)(01); 3.795(18)(11); 3.339(43)(310); 3.29(100)(220, 021), 3.258(58)(11, 21), 2.644(21)(01), 2.296(22)(122). The crystal structures of both minerals were refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction to R1 = 0.0459 (manganoblödite) and R1 = 0.0339 (cobaltoblödite).

Three new minerals in the dumortierite supergroup were discovered in the Szklary pegmatite, Lower Silesia, Poland. Nioboholtite, endmember (Nb0.6☐0.4)Al6B3Si3O18, and titanoholtite, endmember (Ti0.75☐0.25)Al6B3Si3O18, are new members of the holtite group, whereas szklaryite, endmember ☐Al6BAs3+3O15, is the first representative of a potential new group. Nioboholtite occurs mostly as overgrowths not exceeding 10 μm in thickness on cores of holtite. Titanoholtite forms patches up to 10 μm across in the holtite cores and streaks up to 5 μm wide along boundaries between holtite cores and the nioboholtite rims. Szklaryite is found as a patch ∼2 μm in size in As- and Sb- bearing dumortierite enclosed in quartz. Titanoholtite crystallized almost simultaneously with holtite and other Ta-dominant minerals such as tantalite-(Mn) and stibiotantalite and before nioboholtite, which crystallized simultaneously with stibiocolumbite during decreasing Ta activity in the pegmatite melt. Szklaryite crystallized after nioboholtite during the final stage of the Szklary pegmatite formation. Optical properties could be obtained only from nioboholtite, which is creamy-white to brownish yellow or grey-yellow in hand specimen, translucent, with a white streak, biaxial (–), nα = 1.740 – 1.747, nβ ∼ 1.76, nγ ∼ 1.76, and Δ < 0.020. Electron microprobe analyses of nioboholtite, titanoholtite and szklaryite give, respectively, in wt.%: P2O5 0.26, 0.01, 0.68; Nb2O5 5.21, 0.67, 0.17; Ta2O5 0.66, 1.18, 0.00; SiO2 18.68, 21.92, 12.78; TiO2 0.11, 4.00, 0.30; B2O3 4.91, 4.64, 5.44; Al2O3 49.74, 50.02, 50.74; As2O3 5.92, 2.26, 16.02; Sb2O3 10.81, 11.48, 10.31; FeO 0.51, 0.13, 0.19; H2O (calc.) 0.05, –, –, Sum 96.86, 96.34, 97.07, corresponding on the basis of O = 18–As–Sb to {(Nb0.26Ta0.02☐0.18)(Al0.27Fe0.05Ti0.01)☐0.21}Σ1.00Al6B0.92{Si2.03P0.02(Sb0.48As0.39Al0.07}Σ3.00(O17.09OH0.04☐0.87)Σ18.00, {(Ti0.32 Nb0.03 Ta0.03☐0.10)(Al0.35 Ti0.01 Fe0.01)☐0.15 }Σ1.00 Al6 B0.86 {Si2 . 3 6 (Sb0.5 1 As0.14 )}Σ3.01(O17.35☐0.65)Σ18.00 and {☐0.53 (Al0.41 Ti0.02 Fe0.02 )(Nb0.01☐0.01 )}Σ1.00Al6 B1.01 {(As1.07 Sb0.47 Al0.03 ) Si1.37 P0.06 }Σ3.00(O16.46☐1.54 )Σ18.00. Electron backscattered diffraction indicates that the three minerals are presumably isostructural with dumortierite, that is, orthorhombic symmetry, space group Pnma (no. 62), and unit-cell parameters close to a = 4.7001, b = 11.828, c = 20.243 Å, with V = 1125.36 Å3 and Z = 4; micro-Raman spectroscopy provided further confirmation of the structural relationship for nioboholtite and titanoholtite. The calculated density is 3.72 g/cm3 for nioboholtite, 3.66 g/cm3 for titanoholtite and 3.71 g/cm3 for szklaryite. The strongest lines in X-ray powder diffraction patterns calculated from the cell parameters of dumortierite of Moore and Araki (1978) and the empirical formulae of nioboholtite, titanoholtite and szklaryite are [d, Å, I (hkl)]: 10.2125, 67, 46, 19 (011); 5.9140, 40, 47, 57 (020); 5.8610, 66, 78, 100 (013); 3.4582, 63, 63, 60 (122); 3.4439, 36, 36, 34 (104); 3.2305, 100, 100, 95 (123); 3.0675, 53, 53, 50 (105); 2.9305, 65, 59, 51 (026); 2.8945, 64, 65, 59 (132), respectively. The three minerals have been approved by the IMA CNMNC (IMA 2012-068, 069, 070) and were named for their relationship to holtite and occurrence in the Szklary pegmatite, respectively.

Spheniscidite is a new phosphate mineral occurring in a soil profile in an area of nesting penguins on Elephant Island. It is the NH4-dominant analogue of leucophosphite and has the formula (NH4,K)(Fe3+,Al)2 (PO4)2(OH) · 2H2O. It is monoclinic, P21/n with unit cell parameters a = 9.75, b = 9.63, c = 9.70 Å, β = 102° 34′, and Z = 4. The strongest X-ray lines are 6.79(100), 5.99(90), 3.05(45), 7.62(40) Å. Spheniscidite is thought to have formed by the interaction of ammonium phosphate solutions from penguin guano with micaceous and chloritic minerals in the soil. The name is for Sphenisciformes, the order name for penguins, and has been approved by the IMA Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names.

Belousovite, ideally KZn(SO4)Cl, was found in a Yadovitaya fumarole of the Second scoria cone of the North Breach of the Great Tolbachik Fissure Eruption (1975–1976), Tolbachik volcano, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Belousovite occurs as irregularly-shaped grains and in the form of microcrystalline masses associated with kamchatkite, langbeinite, euchlorine, anglesite and zincite. Belousovite is monoclinic, P21/c, a = 6.8904(5), b = 9.6115(7), c = 8.2144(6) Å, β = 96.582(2), V = 540.43(7) Å3 and Z = 4 (from single-crystal diffraction data). The eight strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [dmeas Å(I)(hkl)]: 6.8451(100)(100), (3.6401)(71)($\bar{1}$21), (3.1592)(84)(1$\bar{1}$2), (3.1218)(41)($\bar{2}$11), (3.1140)(52)(022), (2.9812)(41)(031), (2.9121)(44)(130) and (2.0483)(19)($\bar{3}$12). The chemical composition determined by the electron-microprobe analysis is (wt.%): K2O 19.55, Rb2O 0.58, ZnO 34.85, SO3 34.65, Cl 14.77, –O = Cl2 3.34, total 101.06. The empirical formula based on O + Cl = 5 apfu is K0.97Rb0.01Zn1.00S1.01O4.03Cl0.97. The simplified formula is KZn(SO4)Cl. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to R1 = 0.029 on the basis of 1965 independent observed reflections. The structure of belousovite consists of infinite [ZnSO4Cl]– layers and K+ ions. [ZnSO4Cl]– layers are formed by corner sharing mixed-ligand ZnO3Cl tetrahedra and SO4 tetrahedra. The topology of [ZnSO4Cl]– layers in belousovite is identical to [Si4O10]4– layers in the minerals of the apophyllite group. A review of mixed-ligand ZnOmCln coordination polyhedra in minerals and inorganic compounds is given.

Itelmenite, ideally Na2CuMg2(SO4)4, was found in a fumarole of the Naboko scoria cone of the Tolbachik volcano Fissure Eruption (2012–2013), Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia. Itelmenite occurs as irregularly shaped grains as well as microcrystalline masses associated with anhydrite, saranchinaite, hermannjahnite, euchlorine, thénardite, aphthitalite and hematite. Itelmenite is orthorhombic, Pbca, a = 9.568(2) Å, b = 8.790(2) Å, c = 28.715(8) Å, V = 2415.0(11) Å3 and Z = 4 (from single-crystal diffraction data). The nine strongest lines of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern are [d(I)(hkl)]: 7.9614(41)(102), 7.1803(32)(004), 5.9122(64)(112), 3.8455(87)(122), 3.6292(52)(214), 3.3931(62)(215), 3.0003(44)(027), 2.9388(100)(312) and 2.4975(56)(230). The chemical composition determined by the electron-microprobe analysis is (wt.%): Na2O 10.77, K2O 0.20, MgO 11.10, CuO 15.38, ZnO 5.61, SO3 56.42, total 99.48. The empirical formula based on O = 32 apfu is (Na3.93K0.05)Σ3.98Mg3.12(Cu2.19Zn0.78)Σ2.97S7.97O32. The simplified formula is Na2CuMg2(SO4)4 taking into account structural data. The crystal structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an agreement index R1 = 0.034 on the basis of 1855 independent observed reflections. The structure of itelmenite is based on a unique type of [A2+3(SO4)4]2– (A = Mg, Cu and Zn) heteropolyhedral framework with voids filled by Na+ cations.

The new REE-rich, monoclinic, epidote-supergroup minerals ferriakasakaite-(La) and ferriandrosite-(La), found in tephroite calcite veinlets cutting the stratiform ferromanganese deposit from the Shobu area, Ise City, Mie Prefecture, Japan, were studied using electron microprobe analysis and single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Ferriakasakaite-(La), ideally A1CaA2LaM1Fe3+M2AlM3Mn2+(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH) (Z = 2, space group P21/m), has a new combination of dominant cations at A1(Ca) and M3(Mn2+), which are the key sites to determine a root name for epidote-supergroup minerals. The unit-cell parameters are a = 8.8733(2), b = 5.7415(1), c = 10.0805(3) Å, β = 113.845(2)° and V = 469.73(2) Å3. According to the structural refinement (R1 = 3.13%), the determined structural formula is A1(Ca0.54Mn2+0.46)A2[(La0.48Ce0.20Pr0.07Nd0.18Gd0.02)Σ0.95Ca0.05]M1(Fe0.423+V0.343+Al0.18Ti0.064+)M2(Al0.96Fe0.043+)M3(Mn0.502+Fe0.432+Mg0.07)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH). Ferriandrosite-(La), ideally A1Mn2+A2LaM1Fe3+M2AlM3Mn2+(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH) (Z = 2, space group P21/m), is the M1Fe3+ analogue of androsite. The unit-cell parameters are a = 8.8779(1), b = 5.73995(1), c = 10.0875(2) Å, β = 113.899(1)° and V = 469.97(2) Å3, and the structural formula is A1(Mn0.562+Ca0.44)A2[(La0.49Ce0.20Pr0.08Nd0.19Gd0.02)Σ0.97Ca0.03]M1(Fe0.403+V0.283+Al0.20Fe0.052+Ti0.074+)M2(Al0.97Fe0.033+)M3(Mn0.502+Fe0.402+Mg0.10)(SiO4)(Si2O7)O(OH) (R1 = 2.93%). The two new minerals, which are compositionally very similar overall, are distinguished by occupancy of A1, Ca vs. Mn2+. The structural properties of these minerals depend not only on the REE content at A2, but also on the Mn content at A1.

Two new members of the atacamite family were discovered recently in the Sadamisaki Peninsula, Ehime Prefecture, Japan. Iyoite, MnCuCl(OH)3, is an Mn-Cu ordered analogue of botallackite, while misakiite, Cu3Mn(OH)6Cl2, is an Mn-rich analogueof kapellasite. Both minerals occur in manganese ore crevices in close association with one another. Iyoite forms radial and dendritic aggregates consisting of pale green, bladed crystals. Misakiite commonly exists in emerald green, tabular, hexagonal crystals. The densities of iyoite andmisakiite were calculated to be 3.22 and 3.42 g cm–3 based on their empirical formulae and powder X-ray diffraction data. Under the same axial setting of botallackite, iyoite is monoclinic, space group P21/m, a = 5.717(2), b = 6.586(2), c= 5.623(3) Å, β = 88.45(3)° and V = 211.63(15) Å3. Misakiite is trigonal, space group P3m1, with a = 6.4156(4), c = 5.7026(5) Å and V = 203.27(3) Å3. The structures of both mineralsare classified as layer type and the two are closely related. These new minerals were formed by the reaction between seawater and naturally-occurring manganese ores including native copper. These minerals are challenging to produce synthetically. Misakiite was synthesized successfully usinga hydrothermal method, while iyoite could not be made.

Zadovite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(PO4)](PO4)2F (R3m, a = 7.0966(1) Å, c = 25.7284(3), V = 1122.13(3) Å3, Z = 3) and aradite, BaCa6[(SiO4)(VO4)] (VO4)2F (R3m, a = 7.1300(1), c = 26.2033(9) Å, V = 1153.63(6) Å3, Z = 3) are two new mineral species of a novel modular structure type related closely to the structure of nabimusaite, KCa12(SiO4)4(SO4)2O2F. Both minerals occur in paralavas enclosed in pyrometamorphic rocks of the Hatrurim Complex, Negev desert, Israel. Zadovite and aradite are colourless, transparent with a white streak, have a vitreous lustre and an uneven fracture. Both minerals are uniaxial (–) with refractive indices (589 nm) ω = 1.711(2), ε = 1.708(2) (zadovite) and ω = 1.784(3), ε = 1.780(3) (aradite). The zadovite structure type comprises two tetrahedral sites, which may host a broad compositional range of atoms such as Si, P, V and S. Results of electron microprobe analyses show a correlation between excess Si4+ and S6+ contents, suggesting the substitution scheme 2(P,V)5+ = Si4+ + S6+ at the tetrahedral sites. This points to the possibility of new minerals isostructural with zadovite with end-member formulae BaCa6(SiO4)2[(PO4)(SO4)]F, BaCa6(SiO4)2[(VO4)(SO4)]F, BaCa6[(SiO4)1.5(SO4)0.5](PO4)2F and BaCa6[(SiO4)1.5(SO4)0.5](VO4)2F. The Raman spectra of aradite and zadovite reflect the varying PO4 (e.g. change of band intensity at ∼1031 cm–1) and VO4 contents (e.g. change of band intensity at ∼835 cm–1). The presence of SO4 leads to an additional Raman band at ∼997 cm–1. The structure of zadovite-series minerals belonging to the nabimusaite group is characterized by a 1:1 alternation of antiperovskite-like {[FCa6](TO4)2}4+ modules and Ba(TO4)2–4 modules.