Following the success of the book on the Aris phonolite – published over 10 years ago in a limited print run and sold out within a few months – AMI (Italian Micromineralo-gical Association) and GOM (Orobic Minerals Group- Bergamo) decided to produce a new publication that would compile all research conducted to date on the site.

In collaboration with the University of Milan, the CNR (National Research Council), and under the coordina-tion of Prof. Francesco Demartin (University of Milan), more than 400 of new analyses were conducted on specimen provided by collectors from across Europe and directly from Namibia.

An international team collaborated with enthusiasm, and many scientists kindly made available their publi-cations, analyses, and photographs to have this book as comprehensive as possible.

The approximately 160 pages long, describes about 110 species plus 9 unnamed and problematic species, with many first records for the locality. Numerous analytical tables have been included to support the analyses conducted.

Cost will be 35 €, excluding import taxes, if any.  Ship-ping not included. The opening chapters, accompanied by illustrations, are devoted to the geological aspects, which are described in detail by one of the authors. A section listing various “mineral associations” has been included to help collectors identify the different species. We have also added a section with tables listing fluorescent species under long- and short-wavelength UV light.

To help collectors, we have included approximately 195 photos of minerals, almost all of millimeter size, provi-ded by numerous photographers who have authorized us to reproduce them. As an original feature – first in a specialized mineralogical publication – we have included a QR code on the last page that links to an additional 210 photos.

This publication is not only intended for scholars spe-cializing in alkaline mineral localities, but also for all experienced micromount collectors who wish to tackle this challenging locality and its complex, fascinating, and sophisticated mineralogy.

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About the Authors

Italo Campostrini, researcher at Università degli Studi of Milano, Unitech Cospect. Expert in minera-logical analysis. Author and co-author of many scientific articles and mineralogical books. His mineralogical studies are mainly focused on fumarolic (eg. Mineralogy and geology of Vulcano) and uranium minerals. His work on fumaroles minerals was recognized dedicating a new species campostriniite (TL Cratere La Fossa, Vulcano).

Paolangelo Cerea, R&D Director for CDMO Programs in a pharmaceutical company. Mineral collector and president of GOM – Gruppo Orobico Minerali. Author and co-author of books and many articles in mineralogical magazines. Co-author of the first book (2016) on Aris phonolite, locality that he visited in 2022 and 2025.

Marco E. Ciriotti, president of AMI – Associazione Micromineralogica Italiana. Author and co-author of tens of mineralogical books and hundreds of scientific articles. IMA CNMNC Italian member. Researcher at the Torino University. Editor in chief of Micro. For his activities to spread knowledge on mineralogy and micromineralogy the sulfosalt mineral ciriottiite (TL Tavagasco mines) was dedicated to him. Micromounters Hall of Fame 2009.

Stefania Crespi, researcher at the Laboratorio di Microscopia e Microanalisi Elettronica- SEM, Università degli Studi of Milano, Dipartimento Scienze della Terra.

Francesco Demartin, full-professor of General Chemistry and Crystallography at the Università degli Studi of Milano. He is author or co-author of about 400 scientific papers concerning the crystal chemistry of organometallic compounds and minerals. His mineralogical studies concern investigations on alpine and fumarolic minerals that lead to the discover of more than 40 new mineral species. The mineral demartinite (TL Cratere La Fossa, Vulcano) was dedicated to him in recognition of his research in the field.

Joachim Esche, engineer. One of the biggest collectors and expert of Aris Phonolite. Expert in micro-photography. Author and co-author of many articles on Aris quarries in German mineralogical magazines. For his activities over the years to spread the knowledge on Aris phonolites, the mineral escheite, for which Aris is the type locality and so far, the only world occurrence, was dedicated to him.

Marco Sturla, engineer. Vice-President of GOM – Gruppo Orobico Minerali. Author of many mineralogy articles Co-author of the first Aris phonolite book (2016). He has focused his mineralogical research activities on alkaline occurrences, visiting Urals (Russia), Kola Peninsula (Russia), Mt St Hilaire and St Amable Sill (Quebec, Canada), Langensundfijorden (Norway), Azores islands (Portugal), Aris quarries (Namibia).

Pietro Vignola, researcher at the Istituto di Geoscienze of the Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche. Expert on petrology, mineralogy and geochemistry of granitic pegmatites with particular regard to the petrology and crystal chemistry of phosphates and beryllium minerals. Other research topics are studies on crystal chemistry of phosphates and borates at non ambient conditions; discovery and description or collaboration to the description of new mineral species. Several studies have been devoted to Italian regional mineralogy. Author and co-author of more than 100 scientific articles and mineralogical books.

Ralf Wartha, Consulting Mineralogist/Geologist, German origin and living in Windhoek, Namibia since 1989. Started his Africa experience as Mineralogical Intern at FOSCOR (Palabora Alkaline Complex) in 1981. Involved in exploration projects in Namibia, RSA, Angola and Botswana to exploit mineral occurrences. He is the best-known expert in the Aris Quarries’ mineralogy and geology. Author and co-author of mineralogical/geological books and articles. At present focusing on alkaline complexes (Carbonatites) in Angola, mostly looking for REE and Rare Metals. The deep geology chapter of present Aris phonolite book was his task. He was introduced to the Aris Quarry and its mineralogy by Prof. O. von Knorring in 1989.