Petrogenetic evolution of pegmatites of the
Shigar Valley, Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
Abstract
Pegmatites of granitic composition intrude the Dassu orthogneiss of the Asian plate in the Shigar
Valley of Pakistan. On the basis of field and petrographic studies, these pegmatites are
distinguished into evolved and simple pegmatites. The evolved pegmatites are further
distinguished as muscovite-tourmaline-beryl-garnet and muscovite-tourmaline pegmatites
whereas the simple pegmatites as biotite ± garnet ± muscovite and muscovite-biotite ± garnet
pegmatites. In the evolved pegmatites, the predominant minerals are albite and muscovite while
in the simple pegmatites orthoclase and biotite are distinctive. Both the pegmatite types seem to
be associated genetically to one common magma source and the variation within the mineral
constituents are due to fractional crystallization. In spider diagrams, all the pegmatite types
illustrate similar negative sloping trends from LILEs to HFSEs with depletion in Ba, Sr, and Ti
concentration. In simple pegmatites, P is strongly depleted as compared to the evolved
pegmatites. REEs illustrate nearly smooth patterns in all the pegmatite types with contrasting
negative Eu anomaly signifying plagioclase fractionation. Both the evolved and simple
pegmatites contain aluminous mineral assemblages and show mainly peraluminous
geochemistry, which suggest their derivation from pelitic rocks of the Asian continental crust in
syn-collision tectonic setting, ensued possibly by the collision of the Indian plate with Asian
plate.
Keywords
Pegmatites Shigar Valley Peraluminous Syn-collision
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Notes
Acknowledgments
The first author is thankful to the administration of University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Pakistan for
facilitating this study. Thanks are also extended to Director NCE in Geology, University of
Peshawar, for the financial grant. The authors are also thankful to the anonymous reviewers who
critically reviewed this manuscript and offered fruitful suggestions for its improvement.
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Field features and petrography used as indicators for the classification of Shigar valley pegmatites, Gilgit-
Baltistan region of Pakistan M. Hassan Agheem1 , M. Tahir Shah2 , Tahseenullah Khan3 , Amanullah
Laghari1 and Humaira Dars1 1Centre for Pure and Applied Geology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh
2 National Centre of Excellence in Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar 3 Department of Earth
and Environmental Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad Abstract On the basis of field features and
petrography, Shigar valley pegmatites are classified broadly into Group-I and Group-II pegmatites. The
Group-I pegmatites are further divided into muscovite-schorlberyl-garnet pegmatites and muscovite-
schorl pegmatites. The muscovite-schorl-beryl-garnet pegmatites are more productive for gemstones.
The Group-II pegmatites are classified as biotite ± garnet ± muscovite pegmatites and muscovite-biotite
± garnet pegmatites. The complete absence of biotite and the higher percentage of muscovite in the
gemstone bearing class of pegmatites can be used as indicators for gemstone exploration. Keywords:
Petrography; Classification; Pegmatites; Gemstones 1. Introduction Shigar valley is about 32 km north
east of Skardu, the district headquarter of Baltistan in Gigit-Baltistan region of Pakistan and an access for
entry to the K-2, the second highest peak of the world after Mount Everest (Fig. 1). This valley is not only
known for the gemstone occurrences but also record regional tectonics as Northern suture which welds
Asian continent with Kohistan-Ladakh island arc passes through this valley. There are gemstone-bearing
and gemstonebarren pegmatites in the valley which need to be delineated on the basis of field
observations and petrographic studies. This study is an attempt to distinguish different types of
pegmatites in the valley and to discuss their origin for final conclusions. 2. Field features and
petrography Based on field features, Shigar valley pegmatites are classified into two groups. Hereafter
referred as the Group-I pegmatites which are gemstone-bearing and the Group-II pegmatites,
gemstone-barren. The Group–I pegmatites are further divided into muscoviteschorl-beryl-garnet
pegmatites and muscoviteschorl pegmatites. 2.1.Group-I pegmatites The muscovite-schorl-beryl-garnet
pegmatites are very coarse-grained and zoned. These are intruded in Dassu orthogneiss with sharp
contact. The coarseness is from margin to core indicating the direction and sequence of crystallization
and symmetrical zoning (Plate 1). Zoned pegmatites are typified by fine-grained aplitic border zone, the
intermediate zone and the central quartz zone. Gemstones are generally found in the intermediate
zone. There are some other pegmatites where inner zone is absent. It is generally noted that aplites are
present at the border zones and occasionally may also occur in the cores of pegmatites (Laurs et al.,
1998). The Shigar valley pegmatites are either without aplites or if present occupy the margins. 2 Fig. 1.
Location map of the Shigar valley, northern areas of Pakistan. Petrography shows inequigranular as well
as equigranular textures. The muscovite-schorlberyl-garnet pegmatites contain (in volume percent)
plagioclase 18 to 60, orthoclase 9 to 34 and quartz 25 to 35 as essential minerals whereas muscovite 3
to 24, tourmaline traces to 15, garnet traces to 3, epidote traces to 1, apatite traces to 2, zircon and
opaque in traces are present as accessories (Table 1). Some orthoclase grains from the pegmatites of
Kashmol and Goyungo areas are microperthites. K-feldspar and plagioclase show alteration into
muscovite, epidote, sericite, and kaolinite. The alteration generally occurred along margins or
microfractures of the grains. Unaltered plagioclase grains are also common and exhibit welldeveloped
albite twinning. The crystals of plagioclase are generally tabular to bladed and most of the grains are
subhedral whereas the orthoclase grains are mostly anhedral. In some plagioclase, bending is well
noticed, which indicates that these pegmatites have gone through regional stresses as is evident from
the pegmatites of Dassu area (Plate 2). In addition, overgrowths and cross cutting relationships within
the plagioclase are also common in the pegmatites exposed at Kashmol and Goyungo. Minute tabular
grains of plagioclase are also present as inclusions within the orthoclase, indicating their earlier
crystallization. On the basis of anorthite contents, the main plagioclase identified is albite. It is typically
associated with certain gemstones and is the characteristic feldspar of gem-bearing pegmatites (Laurs et
al., 1998; London, 1986; Nabelek et al., 1992). Quartz occurs as discrete anhedral grains as well as
interstitial mass. Tiny quartz inclusions are also present within feldspars, garnet and muscovite. Pressure
shadows or undulose extinction is common in quartz that shows deformation. The intergrowths and
overgrowths are the common features of the muscovite itself but some muscovites are also intergrown
either with plagioclase or orthoclase. Muscovite also occurs as sericite along the margins and fractures
of orthoclase. The samples collected from the Dassu, Yuno, Nyit and Goyungo pegmatites are relatively
enriched in tourmalines. Euhedral to subhedral tourmaline (schorl) crystals along with fractured crystals
of garnet are well noticed in some of the thin sections (Plate 3). Some of the pegmatites also contain
zoned tourmalines. Garnet is present as small inclusions within plagioclase in the pegmatites of Kashmol
area. Subhedral apatite and titanite are also present in 3 traces. In sample number 32 collected from
Goyungo area, the apatite up to 2 vol. % has been noticed. Euhedral crystals of zircon in traces are also
found in few thin sections. The opaque phases are present as disseminated grains. Plate 1. Photograph
showing a symmetrical zoned gem-bearing pegmatite at Dassu. The internal zoning is complex and is
without the central quartz zone. The border zone at the top and bottom is fine-grained and aplitic. The
intermediate zone is rich in schorl Plate 2. Photomicrograph showing displacement and kinking in the
plagioclase. A micro quartz vein is visible at left side. (Mag: 4× / 0.1) Table 1. Modal composition (visual
estimation) of the gem-bearing pegmatites from different localities of the Shigar valley. a. Muscovite-
schorl-beryl-garnet pegmatites b. Muscovite-schorl pegmatite Section # DAS-19 DAS- 23 NYT-28 NYT-29
GOY-32 GOY-33 GOY-43 GON-47 YUN-62 YUN-63 KS H-66 KSH-68 NYT-54 KSH-74 SIL-81 ALCH-97 HAS-98
Alkali feldspar 34 9 20 30 20 18 30 30 16 15 9 16 36 16 10 15 28 Plagioclase 18 60 25 25 25 50 36 23 40
35 45 40 30 44 55 55 32 Quartz 28 25 33 27 30 26 25 28 35 25 25 27 25 28 30 26 30 Biotite tr − − − − − −
− − tr − − tr − − 1 − Muscovite 20 4 22 3 20 3 3 15 8 24 18 15 8 12 5 3 10 Garnet tr − − tr tr tr − tr tr 1 3 1 −
− − − − Tourmaline tr 2 − 15 3 3 6 3 − − − 1 − tr − − tr Apatite − tr − − 2 tr − 1 tr tr tr tr tr − tr tr tr Epidote
tr tr tr - − − - - 1 tr tr tr tr tr − tr − Sphene − − − − tr tr − − − − − − tr − − − − Zircon − − − − − − − tr − − tr − tr
− − − − Opaque tr − − − − − − − − tr − − 1 tr tr tr − Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 Key:-
DAS=Dassu;NYT=Nyit;GOY=Goyungo;KSH=Kashmol;GON=Gone;YUN=Yuno;SIL=Sildi;ALCH=Alchuri;
AS=Hashupa 4 The muscovite-schorl pegmatites which are the second sub-class of Group-I pegmatites,
are coarse to medium-grained and light-gray to white and yellowish brown on fresh and weathered
surfaces respectively. Feldspars, quartz, muscovite, tourmaline (schorl) and garnet are prominent
minerals. Muscovite also occurs as 3-4 cm cleavable sheets. Sample number 54 was taken from
pegmatites at Gone village (Fig. 1), which are extensively mined for aquamarine, topaz, and quartz etc.
These pegmatites are only exposed from Goyungo along the Braldu River up to Sildi villages. It is
important to mention here that even the pegmatites are not exposed from Alchuri to proper Shigar but
their samples were also seen as transported material in nearby streams. Plate 3. Photomicrograph
showing euhedral tourmaline crystals aligned in one direction and are included in orthoclase (cross light,
Mag: 4× / 0.1). Petrography indicates their coarse-grained texture. Main minerals constituting the
pegmatites include (in volume percent) orthoclase 10 to 36, plagioclase 30 to 55 and quartz 25 to 30.
Amongst the accessory minerals, muscovite is the main constituent amounting up to 20 vol. % (Table 1).
Other minor constituents such as biotite, tourmaline, apatite, epidote, titanite and zircon are either
absent or present in trace amounts. Opaque phase is present from trace to about 1 vol. %. Orthoclase
and plagioclase are usually fresh occasionally altered to sericite and epidote. Kfeldspar occurs as
orthoclase and perthite. Plagioclase crystals are commonly tabular, lath-like and mostly subhedral to
euhedral. Inclusions of muscovite and quartz within orthoclase and plagioclase are also seen in few thin
sections. In section number 97, the overgrowth and crosscutting relationships within plagioclase are also
noticed. Some plagioclase grains also show micrographic texture. The majority of quartz crystals are
anhedral to subhedral, however, in some cases fresh-looking euhedral quartz are also noticed in the
pegmatites near Sildi village. Quartz grains in majority of the samples are strained and undulose
whereas plagioclase grains exhibit kinking in some samples. This indicates that the pegmatites were
subjected to regional stress. Among the accessory minerals, muscovite is most dominant phase and its
large flakes are well cleaved and showing intergrowths and overgrowths too. In a few muscovite flakes
the biotite and quartz are noticed as inclusions. The opaque minerals are present in traces. Ironleaching
is observed along the micro-fractures near the opaque phases. Garnet and tourmaline noticed in hand
specimens, are almost absent except a few subhedral-anhedral tourmaline in the pegmatites exposed in
Kashmol area. Besides, euhedral apatite, zircon and titanite are also present in trace amounts.
2.2.Group-II pegmatites The gemstone-barren pegmatites, which are the second class of pegmatites are
further divided into biotite ± garnet ± muscovite pegmatites and muscovite-biotite ± garnet pegmatites.
Biotite ± garnet ± muscovite pegmatites are medium to coarse-grained. These are greenish white grayish
yellow on fresh and weathered surfaces. Orthoclase, plagioclase, quartz and biotite are diagnostic in
hand specimens. Biotite is present in significant amount whereas tourmaline and muscovite are absent.
However, muscovite was noticed in traces in a sample collected from a pegmatite exposed at Mungo
village. Such kinds of pegmatites are also exposed at Haiderabad and Goyungo villages of the Shigar
valley area (Fig. 1). 5 In thin sections, these pegmatites contain (in volume percent) orthoclase 36 to 45,
plagioclase 16 to 23 and quartz 30 to 35 as essential minerals whereas biotite, garnet, muscovite,
apatite, epidote, titanite, tremolite-actinolite and opaque minerals occur as accessories. These
pegmatites are distinguished from other pegmatites of the area in having no gemstones but with
abundant orthoclase (Table 2). In the accessory minerals biotite is present up to 10 vol. % whereas other
minor minerals amount in traces, except garnet, which in one sample (MUN- 3) reaches up to 1 vol. %.
Orthoclase and plagioclase exhibit partial to complete alteration. Orthoclase is altered along margins
and fractures to sericite, kaolinite and muscovite. The plagioclase grains normally exhibits
saussuritization either along the margins or cleavages. Small tabular crystals of plagioclase are also
present as inclusion in the orthoclase representing an earlier crystallization of plagioclase. Anorthite
contents of these plagioclases are in the range of oligoclase (An15- 30). Kink bending in plagioclase is
also observed. K-feldspar occurs as orthoclase and perthites. Quartz grains are mostly subhedral to
anhedral and occur as individual grains or interstitial mass. In certain cases both the orthoclase and
quartz grains show undulose extinction. In addition, quartz is also present as inclusions in feldspars and
in deformed garnets. The garnets are mostly euhedral-subhedral but certain crystals are highly
fractured. In addition, iron leaching may also be seen. The second sub-class of the Group-II pegmatites
includes muscovite-biotite ± garnet pegmatites. Feldspars quartz, muscovite and biotite are also
prominent in hand specimens. Garnet occurs as disseminated grains. Sample number 38 and 41 were
taken from the more felsic pegmatites, exposed along upstream of Braldu River after the village of
Goyungo. Petrographic studies show that these pegmatites are medium to coarse-grained and
inequigranular. Major mineral constituents are (in volume percent) orthoclase 25 to 42, plagioclase 15
to 40 and quartz 26 to 35 whereas main accessories are biotite 2 to 6 and muscovite 2 to 8. Garnet,
titanite, epidote, apatite, zircon and opaque occur in traces. Table 2. Modal composition (visual
estimate) of gem-barren pegmatites from different localities of the Shigar valley. a. Biotite ± garnet ±
muscovite pegmatites b. Muscovite-biotite ± garnet pegmatites Section # MUN-3 MUN-6 GON-48 MUN-
1 MUN-5 MUN-7 DAS-21 GOY-38 GOY-41 Alkali feldspar 40 45 36 26 25 30 42 38 40 Plagioclase 18 16 23
40 35 37 18 15 21 Quartz 30 35 33 27 35 26 33 32 34 Biotite 10 3 8 5 2 4 3 6 2 Muscovite − tr − 2 3 3 4 8
3 Garnet − 1 tr − − − − tr tr Tourmaline − − − − − − − − − Apatite 1 tr − − tr − 1 tr Epidote − tr tr − − − tr tr
Sphene 1 tr − − − − − tr tr Tremolite/actinolite tr − − tr − − − − Opaque tr − tr tr − − tr tr tr Total 100 100
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 Key:-MUN = Mungo; GON = Gone; DAS = Dassu; GOY = Goyungo 6
Orthoclase and plagioclase are generally subhedral to anhedral and hypidiomorphic. Likely, plagioclase is
oligoclase with (An10-22). The alteration products of both of the feldspar are sericite, kaolinite,
muscovite, and epidote. Microperthitic texture is observed in some thin sections of these pegmatites. In
addition, vermiculite texture is also noticed in one thin section. Quartz is mostly subhedral to anhedral,
interstitial and exhibit undulose extinction. In addition, quartz is also seen as inclusions within the
feldspar. Some euhedral crystals of apatite and titanite are also noticed in some samples. A few crystals
of garnet are present as inclusion in orthoclase, indicating that garnet is crystallized prior to the feldspar.
3. Discussion To classify the pegmatites into different types or sub-types, the earlier and pioneer
contributions are from Fersman (1930), Cameron et al. (1949), Jahns (1953, 1955) and Brotzen (1959).
Cameron et al. (1949) did detailed work on the zoning and paragenesis of individual pegmatites
belonging to the same genetic type. The genetic classification and types such as the border zone,
pegmatoid zone, core-margin zone, alkali replacements as proposed by Brotzen (1959) are still used in
case of zoned pegmatites. In the modern classification schemes of pegmatites, the most important
contributions are of Stewart (1963; 1978), Jahns and Burnham (1969), Ginsburg et al. (1979), London
and Burt (1982), Jahns (1982), Ćerný (1982a,b), Ćerný (1991a,b) and Baker (1998). In all these
classifications, the most common parameters and criteria that are used for the classification of
pegmatites are: the presence or absence of gemstones and various metals, parental magma, mode of
occurrence, internal structure or zoning, presence or absence of accessory minerals, the distance from
the parental plutonic body etc. Moreover, the constituent minerals or mineral assemblages are also
used as basic criteria along with other parameters. The present study has clearly identified the
constituent mineral phases of the pegmatites of the Shigar valley and as a result different subtypes of
pegmatites have been proposed. The field and microscopic studies indicate that the muscovite-schorl-
beryl-garnet pegmatites subclass of Group-I pegmatites, generally contain biotite none to traces but
beryl, garnet, schorl, and muscovite are present as main accessory minerals. Majority of the pegmatites
in the Shigar valley belong to this sub-class of pegmatites and can be considered to contain gemstones.
Present studies further show that the pegmatites of the Shigar valley are mostly miarolitic. In thin
sections, rareearth bearing minerals could not be identified. Present petrographic studies indicate that
the main constituents especially the alkali feldspar and plagioclase feldspar of these pegmatites are
partially to highly altered into sericite, muscovite and epidote etc, which may indicate hydrothermal
alteration. Moreover, the undulose extinction of quartz, the bending within the plagioclase crystals and
intensive fracturing of garnets indicate regional deformation. On the basis of anorthite contents, the
gemstone-bearing class of pegmatites is albite enriched whereas oligoclase is found in the gemstone-
barren pegmatites. 4. Conclusions On the basis of present study, the Shigar valley pegmatites are
classified broadly into two types, i.e., gemstone-bearing and gemstone-barren pegmatites. Further,
depending on the presence or absence or the relative proportion of the accessory minerals, these
pegmatites have also been classified into four sub-types which may be related genetically into one
common source and the variations in their mineral occurrences may be due to fractional crystallization.
It is also concluded here that in the proposed classes of pegmatites of the Shigar valley, the
muscoviteschorl-beryl-garnet class of pegmatites is more productive for gemstones. Relatively the
complete absence of biotite and the higher percentage of muscovite in the gemstone bearing class of
pegmatites may be used as an indicator for further exploration of gemstones in the other areas of this
region. The wavy undulation nature of majority of quartz grains and intensive fracturing of garnets
indicate an overprint of regional stress. 7 References Baker, D. R., 1998. The escape of pegmatite dikes
from granitic plutons: constraints from new models of viscosity and dike propagation. Canadian
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Page, L. R., 1949. Internal structure of granitic pegmatites. Economic Geology, Monograph 2. Ćerný, P.,
1982a. Anatomy and classification of granitic pegmatites. In: Ćerný, P. (Ed.), Granitic Pegmatites in
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Industry. Mineralogical Association of Canada, Short Course Handbook 8, 405-461. Ćerný, P., 1991a.
Rare-element granitic pegmatites. Part 1: Anatomy and internal evolution of pegmatite deposits.
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Chamachhu Pegmatites, Chamachhu, Haramosh Mts., Skardu
District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan
Mineral chemistry of Shigar valley
pegmatites, Skardu, Pakistan: an evidence
for source lithologies and origin
Conference Paper (PDF Available) · September 2014 with 80 Reads
Conference: IMA-2014, South Africa
Cite this publication
Muhammad Hassan Agheem
o 18.88
o University of Sindh
Mohammad Tahir Shah
o 33.53
o FATA University, FR, Kohat, Pakistan
Tahseenullah Khan
o 25.42
o Bahria University
Humaira Dars
o 5.26
o University of Sindh
Abstract
Mineral chemistry of Shigar valley pegmatites, Skardu, Pakistan: an evidence for source
lithologies and origin Muhammad Hassan Agheem1*, Mohammad Tahir Shah2,
Tahseenullah Khan3and Humaira Dars1 1Centre for Pure and Applied Geology,
University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan 2National Centre of Excellence in
Geology, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan 3Department of Earth and
Environmental Sciences, Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan Abstract Shigar valley
pegmatites are famous due to the occurrence of various types of gemstones. On the
basis of field features, pegmatites of two types (such as simple and complex or zoned
pegmatites) are recognized. The proper characterization of mineral constituents of any
pegmatite is of utmost importance because on this criterion; the pegmatites are not only
classified but it supports to determine the stages of differentiation and the source
lithologies involved. So far, all of the mineral constituents of Shigar valley pegmatites
are analyzed through electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) and in the light of such
data; the source lithologies, stages of evolution and origin of these pegmatite are
investigated. The common rock-forming minerals identified are: two feldspars, quartz,
muscovite, biotite, garnet, tourmaline, zircon, chlorite along with gemstones such as
aquamarine, goshenite, topaz, apatite, tourmaline (schorl) and fluorite. The EPMA data
indicate that Shigar valley pegmatites are mainly composed of albite along with quartz
and alkali feldspar, which is an indication of miarolitic type of pegmatites. The miarolitic
nature of pegmatites is also clear due to the association of albite with different
gemstones at the core-margin zone. The FeO contents of orthoclase are 0.01 to 0.14 wt
% and as a result, the biotite is generally absent in the zoned pegmatites (i.e.,
gemstone-bearing) while it is present in the simple pegmatites (i.e., gemstone-barren).
Muscovite is the main accessory mineral of all the zones but its size continuously
increases from border towards central zone, where it encloses gemstones in the
cavities with its large sheets (books).The presence of muscovite and absence of
lepidolite indicates that these pegmatites are of muscovite sub-type. The relative
enrichment of fluorine into muscovites of core-margin zone also indicates progressive
crystallization from border to core. The high % of Fe+2 in biotites show the high acidic
and evolved character of these pegmatites. EPMA data indicates that the tourmalines
are schorl; where Al2O3, FeO and Na2O qualify for schorl. The absence of biotite in the
zoned pegmatites can be justified due to the presence of schorl, where Fe+2 is
incorporated by schorl rather than biotite. The garnet composition in pegmatites is
almandine-spessartine while that of host rocks is almandine-grossular. This suggests
that the garnets of pegmatites are of primary nature. The MnO contents of muscovite
are generally less than 0.08 wt. %, which indicates that manganese apparently
concentrated in residual magma till the development of almandine-spessartine.
Spessartine contents range from 27-40 mole %, therefore, it is probable that the
pegmatites could have been emplaced at a depth of 12 to 15 km. Some of the minute
crystals are identified as pure zircons having small input of Y, Yb and P. Small
concentration of hafnon can be attributed to the absence of lithium and tantalum bearing
minerals in these pegmatites. Apatite is mainly mangan-apatite and is noticed in the
core-margin or central core zone. The green colored fluorites are also found from the
core-margin or central core zone and EPMA analyses indicate that these are pure
CaF2. The field features and radiometric ages of both the host rocks of Shigar valley
pegmatites and nearby plutonic units are not correlated. However, the minerals’
characterization show that these pegmatites are separate magmatic pulses and are
formed from partial melting of a sedimentary protolith, which was at least deficient into
the lithium contents.
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What are pegmatites?
Customers sometimes ask us to explain what people
mean when they refer to pegmatite or pegmatite
specimens, and we're happy to talk about this topic
close to our hearts.
To some of us, pegmatites are the most captivating of all igneous rocks. In the absolute
sense, they are an exceptionally coarse-grained intrusive igneous rock that can range in
composition from mafic to granitic to syenitic. For our purposes; however, we'll stick with
pegmatites that are roughly granitic in composition.
Beryls, tourmalines, spodumenes are some of the finest minerals extracted from the
earth. These treasures form in pegmatites – holocrystalline, intrusive igneous rocks
composed of interlocking crystals, which result from the progressive crystallization of
magmatic fluids. Imagine a magma making its way towards the surface, cooling slowly,
and crystallizing out minerals– first, high-temperature minerals that tend to contain
heavier elements, and then progressively lower and lower temperature species. This
process is called crystal fractionalization – and it creates a magmatic melt that becomes
increasingly felsic (rich in silicon). The concentration of water, gases, and light elements
(Be, Li, B) increases at each step in the temperature gradient.
A schorl pseudomorph of aquamarine from Erongo,
Namibia pegmatite. Schorl is a type of tourmaline found in pegmatite.
Many of the world's largest crystals come from granite pegmatites such a spodumene
crystal from the Etta pegmatite in Keystone, South Dakota, that was 47 feet long! They
are host to spectacular gem crystals of the Beryl Group and their varieties (aquamarine,
morganite, heliodor), the Tourmaline Group (elbaite, schorl, “liddicoatite”), and
spodumene (kunzite, triphane, hiddenite) that represent some of the finest mineral
specimens extracted from the Earth! Granite pegmatites can be complex in composition
and contain a diverse suite of exotic minerals and tend to be enriched in what geologists
call “incompatible elements" or "rare elements." These include cesium, rubidium,
lithium, beryllium, tantalum, niobium, tin, boron, and zirconium, along with a few others.
They are unusual because they have either very large or very small atomic size, and
low or high charge and don’t easily fit into the crystal structure of common rock forming
minerals and, therefore, tend to form minerals and crystals on their own such
as pollucite (Cs), spodumene (Li), beryl (Be), "tantalite-columbite" (Ta, Nb), minerals of
the tourmaline group (Li, B), and cassiterite (Sn), to name a few.
Pegmatites are generally associated with a "parent" granite in some way and can form
at relatively deep to very shallow crustal levels. The shape of pegmatite bodies range
from from tabular to inverted teardrop-shaped and range in size from several tens of
meters up to a kilometer or more in extent! Complex pegmatites are often zoned from
the outside in, forming a wall zone with the contact of host rock then progress inward
with intermediate zones and then a core that is generally quartz-rich. Cross-cutting
metasomatic or replacement bodies formed at a later stage are sometimes enriched
with albite (sodium feldspar) and rare-element-bearing minerals such as lepidolite,
tantalite-(Fe), wodginite, simpsonite, ixiolite, and tapiolite-(Fe).
This chrysoberyl twin specimen for sale was found
in the 1950s and comes from pegmatite in Brazil.
Miarolitic pegmatites emplaced at shallow levels under low pressure retain a vapor
phase in the melt upon ascent through the Earth's crust. Much to the satisfaction of the
lucky gem or specimen miner, these ultimately form miarolitic cavities - large crystal-
lined pockets, in which spectacular crystals of beryl, tourmaline, spodumene, topaz, and
accessory minerals can occur. Check out the main iRocks website and its mineral
galleries! These miarolitic pegmatites are a rich source of gemstones such
as aquamarine, morganite, heliodor, rubellite, indicolite,
"liddicoatite", kunzite, topaz, brazilianite, spessartine, chrysoberyl, and fluorapatite.
Geographically, pegmatites are found on every continent and their age spans most of
the geologic timescale with certain time periods having a higher distribution than others.
Countries containing renown pegmatites include Brazil, Mozambique, Pakistan,
Afghanistan, USA (California, Colorado, South Dakota, and the New England area),
Madagascar, Burma, Canada, Italy, South Africa, Norway, Russia, and Germany.
Given the number of pegmatites you'll discover on the internet, you might begin to view
them as abundant – however, geologically these pegmatite minerals are incredibly rare.
Because they result from the refinement of huge volumes of granitic magma, their
formation is almost improbable. According to Dr. David London, beryl-rich rare-element
pegmatites constitute 0.003 percent of the entire magma body. Tourmalines and
spodumenes reflect similar concentration percentages for boron and lithium.
Gem quality crystals reflect only a small percentage of the beryls, tourmalines and
spodumenes in each pocket. When taken under consideration, this makes the amazing
aquamarines, morganites, elbaites, and kunzites (loved and valued by collectors,
worldwide) exquisite – and exceedingly rare, geologically... So keep an eye on those
pegmatites, and you may find yourself with a real prize!
