Preliminary characterization of an unknown mineral from Mont Peylenc (Massif Central, France)

The discovery of a new natural zeolite phase is a rare event since only less than one hundred natural zeolites are known to date. We have been recently involved in a research project aimed at the investigation of a microscopic aggergate coming from the Massif Central (France) that appears to be anew zeolite species. The sample was collected more than 30 years ago by Professors Glauco Gottardi and Ermanno galli and since then, many unsuccesful attempts have been made to disclose the crystal chemistry of this new3 species. The quantity of available material is very limited, and single crystals are not available. For this reason, structure determination from powder diffraction data is attempted. This work represents the result of preliminary chemical, microscopy and minralogical charcterization of this apparently unknown mineral, mainly using X-ray podwer diffraction. All data point to a new zeolite species and the results will be hopefully integrated in the future with the crystal strcture solution by the powder methods.