Celadonite mica: Solid solution and stability

Phase relations for the bulk compositions of the celadonites between the MgAl, MgFe³⁺ and Fe²⁺Fe³⁺ types (celadonite = KR²⁺R³⁺ Si₄O₁₀ (OH)₂) under magnetite-iron and nickel-nickel oxide solid-fluid buffers indicate the extent of solid solution possible in this potassic mica series at temperatures between 300° and 430° C at 2 Kb total pressure. Other possible combinations of Mg, Al, Fe ions in octahedrally coordinated sites did not produce single-phase mica products. The ferrous celadonite micas are stable only under oxygen fugacities where magnetite is the stable oxide—where both Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ can coexist. However the celadonite with the highest thermal stability at 2 Kb total pressure, nickel-nickel oxide buffer conditions is the KMgFe³⁺Si₄O₁₀(OH)₂ phase which is stable up to 420°C, well into low grade metamorphic conditions. It is thus apparent that the presence of celadonite or glauconite mica will not be indicative of changing diagenetic conditions.