Reyerite

Summary: Reyerite from the original locality in Greenland has been re-examined using chemical analysis, infra-red absorption, X-ray powder and single-crystal diffraction, and thermal weight-loss curves. The unit cell is trigonal with a 9·74, c 19·04 Å, and the space group is probably P3¯. The unit cell contents are probably best represented as KCa₁₄(Si₂₄O₆₀)(OH)₅.5H₂O, with some minor replacements. The molecular water is lost reversibly below 400° C. There are indications that the crystal structure is based on Si₆O₁₈ rings resembling those in beryl, but linked into sheets by additional tetrahedra.Reyerite closely resembles truscottite, a mineral found originally in Sumatra, but there are distinct differences, especially in the infra-red pattern. It is not yet certain whether or not the two minerals should be considered as distinct species. Synthetic preparations examined resembled truscottite more closely than reyerite.