Perrierite-(Ce) from the Laacher See tephra, Eifel, Germany, and the modular character of the chevkinite group of minerals

Perrierite-(Ce) crystals from ejecta of the Laacher See volcano, Eifel, in Germany were studied by X-ray single-crystal diffraction and electron microprobe analysis. The composition and crystal structure of this sample is discussed in relation to the known properties of the chevkinite group minerals and related synthetic compounds. Taking into account the modular character of the chevkinite minerals, based on a rutile and a silicate module, the preferred formation of either the perrierite or the chevkinite structure type is correlated with the formal charge of the rutile and silicate modules. The rutile module is expected to carry a negative charge, compensated by a positive charge of the silicate module. On average, the charge modulus is observed to be larger for the chevkinite-type module stacking. It can drop to zero in perrierite-type structures rich in Sr or Ca. In such cases, it is generally not expected to rise above two. The perrierite-(Ce) described in this study crystallizes in space group C2/m. The anisotropic oxygen and rare-earth element displacements observed in this crystal indicate a local domain structure of $$P2_1/a$$ symmetry, when compared to the $$P2_1/a$$ symmetry of the synthetic perrierite $$\hbox {La}_4\hbox {Mg}_2\hbox {Ti}_3\hbox {O}_8(\hbox {Si}_2\hbox {O}_7)_2$$ .