New Mineral Species and Transformation Processes Revealed

Scientists have published three studies in the open-access European Journal of Mineralogy that advance understanding of boron coordination, introduce a new mineral species from Rwanda, and describe a dehydration reaction converting taranakite into francoanellite. Each study offers insights relevant to collectors and researchers alike.

Boron Coordination in Haplogranite Glasses Researchers used nuclear magnetic resonance to determine how boron atoms are coordinated within haplogranite glass with varying water content and alkali–alumina ratios. Their findings provide a method for estimating boron coordination and melt–fluid fractionation across different silicate melts, which could help track magmatic–hydrothermal processes. ¹

Yttrotungstite-(Nd) – A New Rwandian Mineral Species The Nyakabingo tungsten mine near Kigali yielded tiny yellow‑orange tabular crystals of Yttrotungstite-(Nd). Crystals reach up to 100 µm, often forming radiated groups; twinning parallel to (001) was observed. Electron microprobe analyses confirm its membership in the yttrotungstite group. ¹

Dehydration Reaction: Taranakite to Francoanellite In cave guano deposits, authors investigated thermodynamics and kinetics driving partial dehydration of taranakite toward francoanellite. The work presents evidence-based hypotheses explaining why francoanellite occurs naturally after structural water loss from taranakite. ¹