This is the first successful synthesis of jadarite, a Li–B ore mineral. Synthetic jadarite was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, and Li and B K-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure. The results are evaluated by first-principles theoretical calculations. Our findings for jadarite in sediments derived from Li-rich alkaline brines under high-temperature diagenetic conditions have implications in the search for new Li–B deposits in sedimentary basins.

Quartz is a very common form of almost pure silica. It can contain a small concentration of hydrogen-bearing defects whose nature is still debated. Here, we use a theoretical approach to unravel the atomic-scale geometry of these defects. Our findings help explain some important quartz properties.