Moskvinite-(Y), Na2K(Y,REE)Si6O15, is a rare mineral, which until now has only been described from its type locality Dara-i-Pioz, Tajikistan. At Ilímaussaq moskvinite-(Y) was discovered in a drill core from Kvanefjeld, where it occurs as a replacement mineral associated with a mineral belonging to the britholite group. The composition was determined by a combination of electron probe microanalysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analyses. The empirical formula based on 15 oxygens is Na1.94K0.99(Y0.94Yb0.03Er0.03Dy0.03Ho0.01Gd0.01)∑1.05Si5.98O15. The coexistence of an almost pure Y and a light rare-earth element (REE) mineral is interpreted as fractionation of REE and Y during the replacement of an earlier formed REE mineral. Theoretical calculations of the observed replacement of feldspathoids by natrolite show that the generated fluid would have pH > 8, which inhibits large scale mobility of REE. In addition, a K-Fe sulfide member of the chlorbartonite–bartonite group is for the first time observed in Ilímaussaq where it occurs where sodalite is replaced by natrolite and arfvedsonite by aegirine. The sulfide incorporates the S and some of the Cl generated by the alteration of sodalite, whereas the K and Fe originates from the replacement of arfvedsonite by aegirine.

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