IMA Commission Releases Newsletter 92 on Mineral Naming

The International Mineralogical Association (IMA) released Newsletter 92 of its Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC). In this issue Ferdinando Bosi, Frédéric Hatert, Marco Pasero, and Stuart J. Mills outline the latest guidelines for proposing new minerals and updating existing classifications. The newsletter appears in volume 38 of Eur. J. Mineral., pages 491–495, and is available through DOI ¹].

This publication follows a long‑standing effort by the CNMNC to standardize mineral nomenclature worldwide. By consolidating recent proposals and revisions, the commission aims to reduce ambiguity when describing newly discovered species. The newsletter also reviews changes made since the previous edition, ensuring that researchers have access to up‑to‑date criteria for validating mineral names.

While the document does not introduce a single new mineral species, it provides essential guidance for future discoveries. Researchers who identify potential new minerals are encouraged to consult the updated rules before submitting formal descriptions to the IMA. This process helps maintain consistency across international databases such as the Mindat.org registry.

In addition to procedural updates, the authors discuss how advances in analytical techniques—such as electron microprobe analysis and X‑ray diffraction—have influenced classification decisions over the past decade. They note that more precise compositional data now allow finer distinctions between closely related mineral groups.

The release underscores the importance of rigorous peer review within the mineralogical community. By publishing these guidelines openly, the CNMNC invites feedback from geologists, petrologists, and crystallographers worldwide. The newsletter’s availability on the IMA website ensures broad accessibility for scientists working in both academic and industrial settings.

Overall, Newsletter 92 serves as an authoritative reference for anyone involved in naming or reclassifying minerals. It reinforces the collaborative nature of mineralogy while providing clear standards that help prevent duplication and confusion in scientific literature.