Synonyms and mineral names

In the tables the data are presented in the following format the mineral name is given in the heading. A synonym, variety and/or discredited name, if any, is also given, in parentheses. A mineral name written in capital letters represents a well-described mineral or one approved by the Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA). A mineral name in lower case is a synonym, variety or discredited name. The chemical formula, and then the structural formula, are given below the mineral name. The chemical symbol Ln is used for La-Lu, and R stands for rare earths including yttrium. 

The long history of bestowing names on minerals has provided some confusing legacies. Many mineral names end with the suffix ite, although not most of the common species no standard naming practice has ever been adopted. Occasionally different names have been applied to samples of the same mineral that differ only in color or shape, but are identical to each other in chemical composition and crystal structure. These names, usually of the common rock-forming minerals, are often encountered and are therefore accepted as synonyms or as varieties of bona fide mineral species. The Fibrous Minerals list (Appendix 1) includes synonyms. 

CAS CHEMICAL REGISTRY 8,000,000 compounds CHEMICAL ABSTRACTS SERVICE The world s largest file of substance information, including coordination compounds, polymers, incompletely defined substances, alloys, mixtures, and minerals. In each record, the registry number is linked to molecular structure diagram, molecular formula, CA index name, synonyms, and the ten most recent references in Chemical Abstracts. Easy crossover to the bibliographic file... 

The name kaolinite was historically used to describe the processed mineral, while the name kaolin was used for the unprocessed clay. However, the two names have effectively become synonymous and kaolin is now generally the only name used. A specification for kaolin is contained in the Eood Chemicals Codex (EGG). The EINECS number for kaolin is 310-127-6. 

The mineral names abukumalite and spencite are synonyms for britholite-(Y) and tritomite-(Y), respectively (Levinson 1966). Tritomite, melanocerite and caryocerite, a Th-analogue of melanocerite, resemble each other. They are considered as either identical or separate species by different authors and their identity is under question (Boggs 1980). 

Column 1 presents the mineral name accoring to the International Mineralogical Association (IMA), moreover, its Chemical Abstract Registered Number in brackets [CAS RN], the synonym(s) (syn.), its etymology and the Powder Diffraction File (PDF) and in the Inorganic Crystal Structure Datafile (ICSD) are also indicated when available,... 

Mineral name (IMA) (CAS RN) (Synonyms) (Etymology) (ICSD and PDF diffraction files numbers) Theoretical chemical formula, relative molecular mass ( C = 12), mass percentages, coordinence number, major impurities, Strunz s mineral class Crystal system, lattice parameters, Strukturbericht, Pearson symbol, (Z), point group, space group, structure type Optical properties s < II fe C) 3. Other relevant mineralogical, physical, and chemical properties with occurrence... 

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