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Andalusite: Mineral Properties Guide

Andalusite is a common mineral found in pelites associated with low pressure metamorphism. It forms elongate prisms with a diamond-shaped cross section and is typically colorless with two cleavages at 90 degrees. Andalusite can be confused with sillimanite or kyanite but differs in its optical properties and shape. It often contains quartz or opaque inclusions from the rock matrix and may alter to muscovite or clay minerals at higher metamorphic grades.

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102 views3 pages

Andalusite: Mineral Properties Guide

Andalusite is a common mineral found in pelites associated with low pressure metamorphism. It forms elongate prisms with a diamond-shaped cross section and is typically colorless with two cleavages at 90 degrees. Andalusite can be confused with sillimanite or kyanite but differs in its optical properties and shape. It often contains quartz or opaque inclusions from the rock matrix and may alter to muscovite or clay minerals at higher metamorphic grades.

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22/5/13

Andalusite

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Andalusite
Mineral structure: Single SiO4 structure Common mineral in Pelites (Hornfels, Schists) Associated with low pressure metamorphism Rock-forming minerals associated with Andalusite: Biotite, Muscovite, Quartz Other index minerals commonly associated with Andalusite: Cordierite, Sillimanite

Andalusite in Schist
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Key optical features of andalusite in thin section: Colourless (rarely pink) Moderate relief Two cleavages at 90o Low order interference colours Common minerals that might be confused with andalusite and occur in similar rocks: Sillimanite (needle-like shape, higher order interference colours) Kyanite (higher relief, more prominent cleavage)

Common alteration product: Muscovite or clay minerals


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22/5/13

Andalusite

Andalusite shape and interference colours


Andalusite typically forms porphyroblasts of elongate well-shaped prisms with diamond-shaped cross section. Chiastolite variety has characteristic (cross-shaped) inclusion geometry resulting from matrix grains being incorporated at the corners of the growing porphyroblasts. Analyser out Analyser out

Note: Inclusions incorporated at corners of growing andalusite, often associated with the initial growth of andalusite prisms. Andalusite porphyroblasts may frequently contain abundant inclusions of fine-grained quartz and opaques Analyser out Analyser in

At higher grades andalusite typically has irregular shape as it may be consumed in metamorphic reactions to form other metamorphic minerals

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Andalusite

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Andalusite colour and pleochroism


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Note: Andalusite is typically colourless but porphyroblasts may have pale pink cores that show pinkcolourless pleochroic scheme. Return to top Return to index minerals introduction Return to introduction

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