The Formation of Chrysoberyl in Metamorphosed Pegmatites

Mineral assemblages in pegmatite samples from Kolsva, Swedenand Marikov, Czechoslovakia show that chrysoberyl is alwaysaccompanied by quartz, and is a breakdown product of primarypegmatitic beryl. Textures and the mineral-forming process forthe Kolsva pegmatite are explained by the reactions beryl +K-feldspar + H+ = chrysoberyl + quartz + SiO_{2, aq} + K⁺ + H₂Oor alternatively beryl —K—feldspar + H₂O = chrysoberyl+ quartz + melt. Mineral assemblages from mica-rich parts ofthe pegmatite include sillimanite—K—feldspar, muscovite—K—feldspar—sillimanite,and annite—magnetite—spinel—sillimanite—garnet.Details about the composition and the textural relationshipsof these minerals are given; they indicate a post-pegmatiticmetamorphic event at P—T conditions near to the anatecticregime. The samples from Marikov show textures, which are explainedby the reactions beryl + albite + H⁺ = chrysoberyl + quartz+ Na⁺ + H₂O or alternatively beryl + albite + H₂O = chrysoberyl+ quartz + melt. Breakdown of muscovite produces sillimaniteaccording to the reactions beryl + albite + muscovite + H⁺ =chrysoberyl + quartz + sillimanite + Na⁺ + K⁺ + H₂O or alternativelyberyl + albite + muscovite + H₂O = chrysoberyl + quartz + sillimanite+ melt. Similar reaction textures and mineral assemblages were foundin other chrysoberyl-bearing pegmatites (Maroankora, Madagascar;Helsinki, Finland; Haddam, Greenfield, Greenwood, U.S.A.). Hydrothermal experiments located the reaction beryl + alkalifeldspar + H₂O = chrysoberyl + phenakite + melt at P—Tconditions between the K—feldspar—quartz—H₂Osolidus and the K—feldspar—albite—quartz-H₂Osolidus. It is concluded that the formation of Al-rich minerals likechrysoberyl and sillimanite in pegmatites is due to a post-pegmatiticevent at high P—T conditions. The question as to whichof the alternative set of reactions is more likely, the ionicequilibria or the anatectic chrysoberyl formation, must be leftopen. The previous hypothesis of a desilification of a pegmatitewhich intruded into SiO₂-poor country rocks, or of the assimilationof Al₂O₃-rich country rocks, cannot explain the mineral assemblagesof the two pegmatites.