For abstracts of new minerals, discreditations, new information, CNMNC actions. http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-14.html Sun, 19 May 2013 18:36:41 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,294168#msg-294168 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,294168#msg-294168
OK, thanks. Later I noticed that there is a "Literature" forum where my question would have been more appropiate. Next time ...

Michael]]> Michael Kuss IMA Status Sat, 18 May 2013 10:35:01 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,294128#msg-294128 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,294128#msg-294128
Not that I'm aware of, but requesting reprints of articles, especially since pdfs can easily be send via email, is relatively paimless.]]> Jim Ferraiolo IMA Status Fri, 17 May 2013 19:41:51 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,293948#msg-293948 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,293948#msg-293948
it's not exactly on-topic, but related to the pdf request above. Do mineralogists/geologists have something similar to arXiv for math, physics, astronomy and a few other sciences?

Best wishes,

Michael]]> Michael Kuss IMA Status Wed, 15 May 2013 17:05:55 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,293935#msg-293935 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,293935#msg-293935 Van King IMA Status Wed, 15 May 2013 14:30:52 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,293926#msg-293926 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,278654,293926#msg-293926 Daniel.]]> Daniel Atencio IMA Status Wed, 15 May 2013 12:49:43 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293133,293228#msg-293228 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293133,293228#msg-293228 2O)₆ octahedron per formula unit, one Al(H₂O)₅F, and another 6 H₂O, to give a total of 17 H₂O. 6 H₂O is 3 per sulfate group, not 1.5!]]> Andrew G. Christy IMA Status Mon, 06 May 2013 12:52:04 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293138,293138#msg-293138 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293138,293138#msg-293138 Can. Mineral. 51, 157-169.

Volkovskite [KCa4B22O32(OH)10Cl·4H2O] has been identified among numerous borate minerals obtained from potash deposits in New Brunswick. The crystals are vitreous, translucent, and colorless, varying from pale to deep orange.

The crystals possess perfect {010} and {100} cleavages occurring as thinly layered pseudohexagonal/triangular, elongated platy masses. Volkovskite is biaxial positive, with indices of refraction α 1.539(2), β 1.540(2), and γ 1.605(2); 2VMeas = 14.6°(7.2°), 2VCalc. = 14.4°. There is no dispersion and no pleochroism. Volkovskite is triclinic, space group P1 with cell parameters refined from the X-ray powder-diffraction pattern: a 6.539(3), b 24.194(5), c 6.576(3) Å, α 92.2(4.4), β 119.1(1.3), γ 97.4(5.4)°, V 894.7(6) Å3. The six strongest lines of the X-ray powder diffraction pattern [d in Å(I)(hkl)] are: 11.937(28.8)(020), 7.938(100)(030), 5.951(31.4)(040), 3.400(73.6)(070), 2.644(74.3)(090), and 1.983(13.0)(0120).

A crystal structure refinement confirms the basic model of Rastsvetaeva et al. (1992). The crystal structure determination refined to R = 2.1% for 5266 unique reflections. The layered borate structure consists of a double layer of borate sheets parallel to (010). Between the double layers there are two types of cross linkage: Ca polyhedra bond two double layer slabs and K polyhedra bond the double slabs. Many borate minerals found in potash deposits form layered structures, such as biringuccite, nasinite, gowerite, veatchite polytypes, and volkovskite. The volkovskite structure obtained in this study is compared to related layered borates.]]> Uwe Kolitsch IMA Status Sun, 05 May 2013 15:45:27 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293137,293137#msg-293137 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293137,293137#msg-293137
Nashite, Na3Ca2[(V4+V5+9)O28]•24H2O, is a new mineral species from the Little Eva mine, Yellow Cat District, Grand County, Utah, and the St. Jude mine, Slick Rock district, San Miguel County, Colorado, USA. Nashite occurs as blades on a corvusite-montroseite-bearing sandstone block intimately associated with calcite, gypsum, huemulite, pascoite, rossite, and sherwoodite. Nashite is bluish-green, with a light bluish-green streak. The mineral is transparent, with a subadamantine luster. Nashite does not fluoresce in short- or long-wave ultraviolet radiation, and has a hardness ca. 2. Nashite has a brittle tenacity, irregular fracture, and one good cleavage on {010}. Density (calc.) = 2.350 g/cm3 based on the empirical formula and single-crystal cell data, and density (calc.) = 2.343 g/cm3 based on the ideal formula and single-crystal cell data. Nashite is biaxial (–), with α 1.737(3), β 1.762(6), and γ 1.775(3). 2Vmeas = 70(2)° and 2Vcalc = 71°. Optic orientation is Y = b, X ≈ a. The mineral is pleochroic, with X greenish blue, Y yellowish green, and Z yellow, with X > Y >> Z. Electron probe microanalysis and the crystal structure solution gave the empirical formula (based on O = 52): (Na3.063K0.007)Σ3.070(Ca1.984Sr0.039)Σ2.019[(V4+V5+9)O28]•24(H1.995O). The simplified formula is Na3Ca2[(V4+V5+9)O28] •24H2O. Nashite is monoclinic, P21/n, with a 10.0099(3), b 21.8472(7), c 11.1504(7) Å, and β 116.584(8)°. The strongest four lines in the diffraction pattern are [d in Å(I)(hkl)]: 9.044(100)(111, 1̅01), 8.350(64)(110), 10.995(46)(020), and 2.9942(29)(3̅31, 3̅32, 3̅03, 071, 310). The atomic arrangement of nashite was solved and refined to R1 = 0.0293. The structural unit in nashite is a partially-reduced decavanadate group, with a composition of [(V4+V5+9)O28]7–; charge balance in the structure is maintained by the [Na3Ca2(OH2)22•2H2O]7+ interstitial unit. The interstitial unit consists of chains of Na1 and Na2 octahedra and an irregular CaO2(OH2)6 polyhedron. The chains are linked to the structural unit by direct bonding to oxygen atoms of the [(V4+V5+9)O28]7– group and extensive hydrogen bonding between the H2O molecules of the interstitial group and the oxygen atoms of the structural unit. The mineral is named for Dr. Barbara P. Nash (b. 1944), Professor of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah.]]> Uwe Kolitsch IMA Status Sun, 05 May 2013 15:37:31 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,230300,293134#msg-293134 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,230300,293134#msg-293134
D. Mitolo, F. Demartin, A. Garavelli, I. Campostrini, D. Pinto, C. M. Gramaccioli, P. Acquafredda and U. Kolitsch (2013): Adranosite-(Fe), (NH4)4NaFe2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2, a new ammonium sulfate chloride from La Fossa Crater, Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy. Can. Mineral. 51, 57-66.

The new mineral adranosite-(Fe), ideally (NH4)4NaFe2(SO4)4Cl(OH)2, is the Fe3+-analogue of adranosite. It was found on a pyroclastic breccia in two different fumaroles at “La Fossa” crater of Vulcano, Aeolian Islands, Italy, and corresponds to an anthropogenic product previously observed in a burning coal dump at the Anna mine, near Aachen, Germany. The mineral is tetragonal, space group I41/acd (no. 142), with a = 18.261(2), c = 11.562(1) Å, V = 3855.5(7) Å3 (single-crystal data), and Z = 8. The six strongest reflections in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern are [dobs in Å(I)(hkl)]: 9.134(100)(020), 4.569(83)(040), 3.047(79)(152), 6.462(36)(220), 3.232(29)(251), and 2.891(11)(004). The average chemical composition of the holotype is (wt.%): Na2O 5.01, Fe2O3 15.77, Al2O3 5.11, K2O 0.82, (NH4)2O 15.76, SO3 50.96, Cl 3.71, H2O 2.75, –O=Cl−0.84, total 99.05; the corresponding empirical formula is: [(NH4)3.89K0.11]∑4.00Na1.04[Fe1.27Al0.64]∑1.91S4.10O16.40Cl0.67(OH)1.96. Adranosite-(Fe) forms aggregates of pale yellow acicular crystals up to 1 mm in length, the most common forms most probably being {100}, {110}, and {111}. The measured density is 2.18(1) g/cm3, and the calculated density is 2.195 g/cm3. Adranosite-(Fe) is uniaxial (−) with ω=1.58(1), ɛ=1.57(1) (λ = 589 nm). Using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data from the holotype, the structure was refined to a final R(F)= 0.0415 for 670 independent observed reflections [I > 2(σ(I)]. Adranosite-(Fe) is isostructural with its Al-analogue adranosite and contains NaO4Cl2 square tetragonal bipyramids, linked through their opposite Cl corners and helicoidal chains with composition [FeO4(OH)2SO4]n, both extending along [001]. The framework resulting from the sharing of the sulfate ions between the different chains displays cages in which the nine-coordinated hydrogen-bonded NH4+ ions are hosted.]]> Uwe Kolitsch IMA Status Sun, 05 May 2013 15:30:15 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293133,293133#msg-293133 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,293133,293133#msg-293133
Wilcoxite, (Mg0.81Mn0.07Fe0.04Zn0.04)∑0.96Al1.01(SO4)2F1.02 •17H2O, is a secondary sulfate mineral that occurs in hydrothermal systems containing significant amounts of fluorine. A sample of wilcoxite was collected from abandoned mine workings east of Rico, Dolores Co., Colorado, U.S.A., where it occurs as white, efflorescent crusts composed of small anhedral crystals within a timber crib that protected the material from direct exposure to rain and snow, but not from changes in the humidity and temperature of the atmosphere. It is remarkable that this highly hydrated mineral has remained stable under these conditions. Unit cell dimensions are a 6.644(1), b 6.749(2), and c 14.892(3) Å, α 79.664(4)°, β 80.113(4)°, γ 62.487(3)°, and V 579.6(2) Å3, space group P-1. The previously unknown crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data and consists of isolated sulfate tetrahedra, Mg(H2O)6 octahedra, and Al(H2O,F)6 octahedra connected only through hydrogen bonding involving additional water molecules. Wilcoxite has 1.5 water molecules per sulfate tetrahedron that do not participate in the formation of an Al(H2O,F)6 or Mg(H2O)6 octahedron. The water molecules held within the epsomite (MgSO4•7H2O) structure are lost if the relative humidity (RH) drops below 50% at 298 K, and hexahydrite (MgSO4•6H2O) loses water to form starkeyite (MgSO4•4H2O) at 40% RH at 298 K. The fact that wilcoxite, with such a high water content, is stable when the magnesium sulfate with which it coexists has become starkeyite indicates that water molecules are more tightly bonded within the wilcoxite structure. If epsomite crystals are warmed slightly they slowly become first translucent and then an opaque white powder, whereas wilcoxite does not dehydrate but abruptly melts when warmed. This behavior is similar to the incongruent melting of meridianiite (MgSO4•11H2O) on warming above 2 °C.]]> Uwe Kolitsch IMA Status Sun, 05 May 2013 15:18:06 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,244533,292463#msg-292463 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,244533,292463#msg-292463 [www.mindat.org]

I am certain it will turn up in many more localities.]]> Uwe Kolitsch IMA Status Sun, 28 Apr 2013 16:26:12 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,291528,291528#msg-291528 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,291528,291528#msg-291528 [www.jgeosci.org]

Brunogeierite is a rare Ge-mineral with a spinel-type structure. Inconsistences in the brunogeierite formula suggesting divalent germanium in its structure have occurred since its description. A review of the published data and bond-valence calculations show that the correct ideal end-member formula of brunogeierite is (Fe2+)2Ge4+O4. The mineral is newly classified as a nesogermanate member of the ringwoodite group (Strunz classification 9.AC.15). Formal correction of the brunogeierite formula and classification was approved by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA-CNMNC) as proposal IMA 11-A. To perform bond-valence calculations using divalent germanium, new bond-valence parameters for Ge2+-O (R0 = 1.778 Å, B = 0.37 Å) and Ge2+-Cl (R0 = 2.156 Å, B = 0.37 Å) were evaluated.]]> Uwe Kolitsch IMA Status Wed, 17 Apr 2013 09:44:13 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290463,290572#msg-290572 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290463,290572#msg-290572 Marco E. Ciriotti IMA Status Sun, 07 Apr 2013 17:18:14 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290463,290516#msg-290516 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290463,290516#msg-290516 1.89 > Mg_1.63? And which importance in Mg/Fe ratio, when Fe and Mg are located in different positions?;-) Why it isn't new specie (Fe²⁺,Sn,Li)₄(Al,Mg,Ti)₁₈O₃₀(OH)₂ with its own root name?:-)]]> Pavel Kartashov IMA Status Sat, 06 Apr 2013 22:04:47 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290464,290464#msg-290464 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290464,290464#msg-290464 ▪ Pekov, I.V., Zubkova, N.V., Yapaskurt, V.O., Belakovskiy, D.I., Chukanov, N.V., Kasatkin, A.V., Kuznetsov, A.M., Pushcharovsky, D.Y. (2013): Kobyashevite, Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6·4H2O, a new devilline-group mineral from the Vishnevye Mountains, South Urals, Russia. Mineralogy and Petrology, 107, 201-210.

Abstract:
A new mineral kobyashevite, Cu5(SO4)2(OH)6·4H2O (IMA 2011–066), was found at the Kapital’naya mine, Vishnevye Mountains, South Urals, Russia. It is a supergene mineral that occurs in cavities of a calcite-quartz vein with pyrite and chalcopyrite. Kobyashevite forms elongated crystals up to 0.2 mm typically curved or split and combined into thin crusts up to 1 × 2 mm. Kobyashevite is bluish-green to turquoise-coloured. Lustre is vitreous. Mohs hardness is 2½. Cleavage is {010} distinct. D(calc.) is 3.16 g/cm3. Kobyashevite is optically biaxial (−), α 1.602(4), β 1.666(5), γ 1.679(5), 2 V(meas.) 50(10)°. The chemical composition (wt%, electron-microprobe data) is: CuO 57.72, ZnO 0.09, FeO 0.28, SO3 23.52, H2O(calc.) 18.39, total 100.00. The empirical formula, calculated based on 18 O, is: Cu4.96Fe0.03Zn0.01S2.01O8.04(OH)5.96·4H2O. Kobyashevite is triclinic, P-1, a 6.0731(6), b 11.0597(13), c 5.5094(6) Å, α 102.883(9)°, β 92.348(8)°, γ 92.597(9)°, V 359.87(7) Å3, Z = 1. Strong reflections of the X-ray powder pattern [d,Å-I(hkl)] are: 10.84–100(010); 5.399–40(020); 5.178–12(110); 3.590–16(030); 2.691–16(20–1, 040, 002), 2.653–12(04–1, 02–2), 2.583–12(2–11, 201, 2–1–1), 2.425–12(03–2, 211, 131). The crystal structure (single-crystal X-ray data, R = 0.0399) сontains [Cu4(SO4)2(OH)6] corrugated layers linked via isolated [CuO2(H2O)4] octahedra; the structural formula is CuCu4(SO4)2(OH)6·4H2O. Kobyashevite is a devilline-group member. It is named in memory of the Russian mineralogist Yuriy Stepanovich Kobyashev (1935–2009), a specialist on mineralogy of the Urals.]]> Marco E. Ciriotti IMA Status Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:03:46 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290463,290463#msg-290463 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,290463,290463#msg-290463 ▪ Yang, Z., Ding, K., de Fourestier, J., Mao, Q., Li, He (2013): Fe-rich Li-bearing magnesionigerite-6N6S from Xianghualing tin-polymetallic orefield, Hunan Province, P.R. China. Mineralogy and Petrology, 107, 163-169.

Abstract:
The Fe-rich Li-bearing magnesionigerite-6N6S occurs in the Xianghualing tin-polymetallic ore field, Linwu County, Hunan Province, Peoples Republic of China. It was found near the outer contact zone of the Laizhiling granite body and in the Middle-Upper Devonian carbonate rocks of Qiziqiao Formation. The mineral formed during the skarn stage. Its empirical formula is Sn1.81Li0.67(Fe1.43Zn1.19 Mn0.41)Σ3.03(Al14.89Mg1.46 Ti0.11Si0.01)Σ16.47O30(OH)2. The structure for magnesionigerite-6N6S was solved and refined in space group R-3 m, with a = 5.7144(8), c = 55.446(11) Å, V = 1568.0(4) Å3, to R1 = 0.0528. Based on the structural refinement of single crystal diffraction data the formula of magnesionigerite-6N6S is Sn1.80Li0.97(Fe1.89Zn0.91)Σ2.80 (Al14.60Mg1.63 Ti0.20)Σ16.43O30(OH)2 with Z = 3. Fe-rich Li-bearing magnesionigerite-6N6S contains 0.74 wt.% Li2O. The idealized charge-balanced composition of magnesionigerite-6N6S may be expressed by bivalent and trivalent cations: (Mg2+)4(Al3+)18O30(OH)2. The simplified general formula for the 6N6S polysomes in the nigerite and högbomite groups can be given as A x B18-x O30(OH)2, x = ~4, where A = Mg2+, Fe2+, Zn2+; B = Al3+, Sn4+, Ti4+, Li+, □.]]> Marco E. Ciriotti IMA Status Sat, 06 Apr 2013 13:01:55 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,225390,290023#msg-290023 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,225390,290023#msg-290023
Abstract

The garnet supergroup includes all minerals isostructural with garnet regardless of what elements occupy the four atomic sites, i.e., the supergroup includes several chemical classes. There are presently 32 approved species, with an additional 5 possible species needing further study to be approved. The general formula for the garnet supergroup minerals is {X3}[Y2](Z3)ϕ12, where X, Y, and Z refer to dodecahedral, octahedral, and tetrahedral sites, respectively, and ϕ is O, OH, or F. Most garnets are cubic, space group Ia3̄d (no. 230), but two OH-bearing species (henritermierite and holtstamite) have tetragonal symmetry, space group, I41/acd (no. 142), and their X, Z, and ϕ sites are split into more symmetrically unique atomic positions. Total charge at the Z site and symmetry are criteria for distinguishing groups, whereas the dominant-constituent and dominant-valency rules are critical in identifying species. Twenty-nine species belong to one of five groups: the tetragonal henritermierite group and the isometric bitikleite, schorlomite, garnet, and berzeliite groups with a total charge at Z of 8 (silicate), 9 (oxide), 10 (silicate), 12 (silicate), and 15 (vanadate, arsenate), respectively. Three species are single representatives of potential groups in which Z is vacant or occupied by monovalent (halide, hydroxide) or divalent cations (oxide). We recommend that suffixes (other than Levinson modifiers) not be used in naming minerals in the garnet supergroup. Existing names with suffixes have been replaced with new root names where necessary: bitikleite-(SnAl) to bitikleite, bitikleite-(SnFe) to dzhuluite, bitikleite-(ZrFe) to usturite, and elbrusite-(Zr) to elbrusite. The name hibschite has been discredited in favor of grossular as Si is the dominant cation at the Z site. Twenty-one end-members have been reported as subordinate components in minerals of the garnet supergroup of which six have been reported in amounts up to 20 mol% or more, and, thus, there is potential for more species to be discovered in the garnet supergroup. The nomenclature outlined in this report has been approved by the Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification of the International Mineralogical Association (Voting Proposal 11-D).



The paper is open source at [ammin.geoscienceworld.org]]]> Stuart Mills IMA Status Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:29:56 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289663#msg-289663 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289663#msg-289663 Andrew G. Christy IMA Status Fri, 29 Mar 2013 22:36:33 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289659#msg-289659 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289659#msg-289659 Dean Allum IMA Status Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:42:05 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289644#msg-289644 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289644#msg-289644 Best regards, Luís Martins.]]> Luís Martins IMA Status Fri, 29 Mar 2013 17:17:16 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289624#msg-289624 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,289624,289624#msg-289624 ▪ Vignola, P., Hatert, F., Fransolet, A.-M., Medenbach, O., Diella, V., Andò, S. (2013): Karenwebberite, Na(Fe 2+,Mn 2+)PO4, a new member of the triphylite group from the Malpensata pegmatite, Lecco Province, Italy. American Mineralogist, 98, 767-772.

Abstract:
Karenwebberite, Na(Fe2+,Mn2+)PO4, belongs to the triphylite group of minerals and corresponds to the Fe-equivalent of natrophilite or to the Na-equivalent of triphylite. It occurs in the Malpensata pegmatite dike, Colico, Lecco Province, Italy. Karenwebberite is found as late-magmatic-stage exsolution lamellae up to 100 μm thick, hosted by graftonite and associated with Na-bearing ferrisicklerite and with a heterosite-like phase. Lamellae are pale green, with very pale grayish-green streak. The luster is greasy to vitreous, and lamellae are translucent (pale green) to opaque (dark green). Optically, the mineral is anisotropic, biaxial (+), α = 1.701(2), β = 1.708(2), γ = 1.717(2) (for λ = 589 nm), 2Vmeas = 87(4)°, 2Vcalc = 41°, Z = b. Pleochroism is moderate with X = dark gray, Y = brown, and Z = yellow. The mineral is brittle with a Mohs hardness of 4.5; in thin section it displays a perfect cleavage along {001} with an irregular fracture. Karenwebberite is non-fluorescent either under short-wave or long-wave ultraviolet light, and its calculated density is 3.65 g/cm3. The mean chemical composition, determined by the electron microprobe from 16 point analyses (wt%), is: P2O5 41.12, Fe2O3* 7.00, FeO* 25.82, MgO 0.23, ZnO 0.11, MnO 9.31, CaO 0.10, Na2O 14.66, total 98.41 (*: calculated values). The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of 1 P atom per formula unit from, is (Na0.817Ca0.003□0.180)∑1.000 (Fe2+0.622Mn2+0.228Fe3+0.151Mg0.010Zn0.002)∑1.013PO4. Karenwebberite is orthorhombic, space group Pbnm, a = 4.882(1), b = 10.387(2), c = 6.091(1) Å, V = 308.9(1) Å3, and Z = 4. The mineral possesses the olivine structure, with the M1 octahedra occupied by Na, and the M2 octahedra occupied by Fe and Mn. The eight strongest lines in the X-ray powder pattern are [d in Å (intensities) (hkl)]: 5.16 (50) (020), 4.44 (90) (110), 3.93 (80) (021), 3.56 (90) (120), 3.04 (80) (002), 2.817 (100) (130), 2.559 (100) (131), and 1.657 (50) (061). The mineral is named in honor of Karen Louise Webber, Assistant Professor Research at the Mineralogy, Petrology and Pegmatology Research Group, Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.]]> Marco E. Ciriotti IMA Status Fri, 29 Mar 2013 15:49:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289343#msg-289343 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289343#msg-289343 pubsites.uws.edu.au]

IMA reports: • Nomenclature of the tourmaline supergroup of minerals: Am. Mineral. (2011) 96, 895-913 and erratum.]]> Marco E. Ciriotti IMA Status Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:59:00 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289313#msg-289313 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289313#msg-289313
Naming is a form of labelling that is essential to good communication. This only works well where there is common adoption of one name. This thought underpins IMA's international authority to make and maintain a list of mineral names for universal use.What so began as a useful and necessary initiative has developed in a way that, to a fair number who are affected by it, has become unhelpful. hindering rather than promoting good communication.

Once settled, a name should but rarely change. In my view, naming should only change to correct a fundamental and historical misunderstanding. At the level of late 20th century science, the necessity for further name changing (on this basis) had already become rare. there being left only a requirement to name newly discovered compounds - but that also needs to be done with restraint. In complex molecules where elemental substitutions are common, there can be many possible combinations, both of the chemistry and of the structure. All of which require, for narrow and expert purposes, differentiated labelling but which, for most common needs, can quite adequately all be sufficiently described by a single label (name).

Attempting to produce a different name for for each variation rapidly becomes counter-productive. As the study of molecular structures advances, there is a temptation (perceived by some as a need) to continually revise the naming of compounds to reflect changes in opinion (not the same yjing as changes in absolute knowledge). And so people lose track. Even experts mis-speak. Re-education is not a universally instant process - and the result is Babel. Four names (e.g.) for the same compound in ten years is not simply unhelpful but is destructive of good communication. In my view, even two names in ten years is, in most cases, one change too many.

So, as as some others here also feel, please can names be left as simple, natural language with a continuity of meaning over decades if not for all time. The expert (and narrow) need to differentiate between small variations in composition can and - in my view - should be met through the use of notation specialist to the science, Such notation can accommodate any desired level of detail in differentiation, any rate of change in detail and yet remain instantly meaningful to those trained in the notation, because of the very rules of the notation's structure. But in the common language, leave the names alone.]]> Owen Lewis (2) IMA Status Tue, 26 Mar 2013 11:57:49 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289299#msg-289299 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289299#msg-289299 Respectfullly,
EMJ]]> Evan Johnson IMA Status Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:10:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289298#msg-289298 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289298#msg-289298
Sorry, my previous (now right) reply was partially incorrect.]]> Marco E. Ciriotti IMA Status Tue, 26 Mar 2013 07:59:32 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285227,289253#msg-289253 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285227,289253#msg-289253
Pavel]]> Pavel Skacha IMA Status Mon, 25 Mar 2013 19:30:24 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285227,289222#msg-289222 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285227,289222#msg-289222
We have a new system to import minerals directly from IMA lists to speed this up in future. I'm just testing it to make sure it works ok.

Jolyon]]> Jolyon & Katya Ralph IMA Status Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:25:18 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285227,289220#msg-289220 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285227,289220#msg-289220
when will be new minerals available on mindat?

kind regards
Pavel Skacha]]> Pavel Skacha IMA Status Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:03:05 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289159#msg-289159 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289159#msg-289159 Tom Tucker IMA Status Mon, 25 Mar 2013 01:48:04 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289062#msg-289062 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,14,285133,289062#msg-289062
So what you are saying is that Vanadio-oxy-dravite AND vanadium-dravite are no longer valid species.

But Mindat lists messages at the bottom of each as follows:

Vanadio-oxy-dravite saying Not to be confused with oxy-vanadium-dravite.

oxy-vanadium-dravite Not to be confused with vanadio-oxy-dravite.

Thus indicating that they are two species ???

Cheers]]> Keith Compton IMA Status Sat, 23 Mar 2013 22:57:33 +0000