Abstract: A new occurrence of barium silicates has been found in unmetamorphosed sedimentary rocks of central North Greenland. Two different barium minerals have been identified, the Ba-feldspar hyalophane, and an unknown and hitherto undescribed hydrated Ba-silicate with an anhydrous chemical composition identical to cymrite but with about 4 moles of water in the mineral structure. Both silicates are found in a black organic-rich chert sequence in close association with baryte. No replacement textures are observed between the three Ba-minerals.

The hydrated Ba-silicate in the unmetamorphosed rock sequence of the Navarana Fjord area is considered to represent a member in a sequence of Ba-silicates from the unknown Ba-silicate with four H₂O in the structure (BaAl₂Si₂O₈·4H₂O), through cymrite with one H₂O (BaAl₂Si₂O₂O₈·H₂O) to celsian with none (BaAl₂Si₂O₈). This sequence might reflect the continuous release of water during prograde diagenesis and metamorphism. The association between chert and Ba minerals in the sedimentary rocks of the Navarana Fjord area is believed to reflect an addition of silica and barium by hydrothermal solutions.