Frequently Asked Questions
Table of Contents
General
What databases are included in the RRUFF Project?
There are several databases included in the RRUFF Project:
- The RRUFF database: a comprehensive mineralogy database that integrates chemical analyses, Raman and infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction data, and references on thousand of mineral species. Other analytical techniques, such us Mossbauer, are expected to be added.
- The IMA-List: an interactive, searchable database of minerals approved by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (IMA–CNMNC). It is updated regularly based on the official IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names, published several times per year.
- The American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database (AMCSD): a repository of crystallographic data published in American Mineralogist, the Canadian Mineralogist, the European Journal of Mineralogy and other peer-reviewed journals. It provides crystal structure refinements for thousands of mineral and synthetic phases, including atomic coordinates, unit-cell parameters, symmetry information, and bibliographic references.
- The References database: Large set of references and open access pdfs from supporting mineralogical societies and other journals.
How can I download the files?
Individual files can be downloaded directly from the records by clicking on the file name. You can also download the complete collection of files from File Download. For more information about the files, data processing, etc, please click here.
Do I need login credentials?
You do not need to be logged in to view or download data. Login access is currently limited to project administrators. In special circumstances, login credentials may be provided to external collaborators. If you have any questions or believe you require access, please feel free to contact us.
How do I cite data in the RRUFF database?
The RRUFF database contains data generated by the RRUFF Project as well as data provided by external contributors. When using any RRUFF data — spectra, chemistry, crystallography, etc. — please cite the RRUFF Project and, if applicable, the external contributor.
- RRUFF Project citation:
Lafuente, B., Downs, R. T., Yang, H., & Stone, N. (2015). The power of databases: the RRUFF project. Highlights in Mineralogical Crystallography, T Armbruster and R M Danisi, Eds., Berlin, Germany, W. De Gruyter, 1–30
- External contributor citation:
If the dataset originates from an external contributor, please also cite the “Data Source Citation” listed in the RRUFF sample record (located just below the sample information).
Examples:
• RRUFF sample (RRUFF Project data): RRUFF ID R040002
- Lafuente, B., Downs, R. T., Yang, H., & Stone, N. (2015). The power of databases: the RRUFF project. Highlights in Mineralogical Crystallography, T Armbruster and R M Danisi, Eds., Berlin, Germany, W. De Gruyter, 1–30
• External Contribution: RRUFF ID R250010
- Biagioni C, Mauro D, Sejkora J, Dolníček Z, Dini A, Škoda R (2025) Dacostaite, K(Mg2Al)[Mg(H2O)6]2(AsO4)2F6·2H2O, a new fluoride–arsenate mineral from the Cetine di Cotorniano Mine (Tuscany, Italy). European Journal of Mineralogy 37, 39-52
- Lafuente, B., Downs, R. T., Yang, H., & Stone, N. (2015). The power of databases: the RRUFF project. Highlights in Mineralogical Crystallography, T Armbruster and R M Danisi, Eds., Berlin, Germany, W. De Gruyter, 1–30
How do I cite data in AMCSD?
When using data from AMCSD, please make sure to cite both AMCSD and the original reference associated with the specific dataset you used.
- AMCSD citation:
Downs, R.T. and Hall-Wallace, M. (2003) The American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. American Mineralogist 88, 247–250
- Dataset citation:
Use the literature reference listed in the AMCSD record for the structure you downloaded.
Example:
Dataset: Abellaite (AMCSD code: 0021642)
- Ibáñez-Insa J, Elvira J J, Llovet X, Pérez-Cano J, Oriols N, Busquets-Masó M, Hernández S (2017) Abellaite, NaPb₂(CO₃)₂(OH), a new supergene mineral from the Eureka mine, Lleida province, Catalonia, Spain. European Journal of Mineralogy 29, 915–922.
- Downs, R.T. and Hall-Wallace, M. (2003) The American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. American Mineralogist 88, 247–250
RRUFF database
What type of data is there in RRUFF?
The RRUFF database provides high-quality mineralogical data including chemical compositions, Raman and infrared spectra, X-ray diffraction patterns, and crystallographic files. Each mineral entry also includes detailed sample information and photographs.
The new RRUFF platform has been built with the flexibility for additional techniques, such as LIBS, XRF, reflectance, Mossbauer and more. We are exiceted to share that we have started to incorporate Mössbauer data!
What Mineral Status is?
When a sample is introduced into the RRUFF database, regardless of how confident the donor or staff may be, the status is unconfirmed until backed by corroborating evidence from chemical analysis and single crystal or powder X-ray diffraction.
Until the identification is confirmed, the mineral name associated with the sample is subject to change. For example: what is given to us as grossular, may be proven by chemical analysis and X-ray diffraction to be almandine. The status line in the top portion of each sample detail screen is our way of communicating whether or not we are certain of the identity of the mineral.
A full description of the different status can be found here.
How were the oriented Raman collected?
The RRUFF project contains a large collection of oriented Raman spectra collected from well-characterized mineral specimens. These data provide information about how the Raman spectrum changes with the orientation of a crystal relative to the polarization of the incident laser light.
Click here to learn more about how the data was collected.
How can I contribute?
The new RRUFF platform includes the data that the old RRUFF incorporated: Raman, IR, XRD, and microprobe, but it has been built with the flexibility for additional techniques, such as LIBS, XRF, reflectance, Mossbauer and more.
If you want to contribute:
- Send us your data: If you have mineral data that you would like to share with the public, we can upload the data on your behalf, ensuring it becomes accessible through the RRUFF web-pages.
- Create your own database: You can also create and manage your own database integrated with the RRUFF project. This ensures your data is linked, searchable, and accessible through RRUFF.
We are actively streamlining the data submission process to make it easier and more accessible for everyone. Get in touch with us to start sharing your data through RRUFF.
American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database (AMCSD)
What is AMCSD?
AMCSD is a crystal structure database focused on minerals and solids of interest to mineralogists.
How do you search in AMCSD
AMCSD’s expanded search allows you to search fields containing:
- Mineral/species name
- Chemistry
- Author
- Cell parameters and symmetry
- Diffraction search
- General search
IMA Mineral List
What is the IMA Mineral list?
The IMA Mineral List provides an interactive version of the official mineral species list maintained by the International Mineralogical Association (IMA).